California State Assembly Recognizes Songkran New Year Festival for the First Time

Image via the Royal Thai Embassy

In a significant cultural initiative, Assemblymember Evan Low – Chair of the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus – introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 171 officially recognizing April 13-15, 2024, as the Songkran New Year Festival in California. This Resolution acknowledges the profound cultural contributions of Southeast Asian communities in California and beyond. Today, the California State Assembly passed ACR 171 unanimously during floor session.

Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, is observed in several regions including Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Tai ethnic minority in Vietnam, Yunnan province in China, and Sri Lanka. Characterized by joyful celebrations, the festival includes traditional ceremonies such as the water pouring ritual, performed on Buddha statues and elders to symbolize purification and blessings for the coming year.

“Recognizing the Songkran New Year Festival underscores the diverse cultural fabric of California and supports our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities including the hundreds of thousands of Californians that observe Songkran,” said Assemblymember Low. “This Resolution aims to enhance mutual understanding and appreciation across all communities in our state. Thank you to Thai Consul-General Tor Saralamba and the Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation for their efforts in the passing of this important Resolution.”

“Songkran, Thailand’s vibrant New Year celebration, is a joyous festival that embodies the very essence of Thai culture,” said Thai Consul General Tor Saralamba. “We are incredibly grateful to Assemblymember Evan Low for introducing this resolution recognizing Songkran in California. This is a significant moment for the Thai community here, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.”

“This recognition of Songkran New Year by the California State Assembly is a proud moment for us,” said Monthanus Ratanapakdee, Founder of the Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation. “It celebrates our heritage and fosters unity across communities, embracing the joy and renewal that Songkran symbolizes.”

ACR 171 – authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (Assembly District 26) – is principally co-authored by Assemblymembers Jasmeet Bains (AD 35), Mike Fong (AD 49), Ash Kalra (AD 25), Alex Lee (AD 24), Al Muratsuchi (AD 66), Stephanie Nguyen (AD 10), and Phil Ting (AD 19), as well as Senators Dave Min (Senate District 37) and Aisha Wahab (SD 10).

This initiative follows the recent recognition of Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in December 2023, highlighting its significance on a global scale.

ACR 171 now heads to the California State Senate for concurrence.

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Evan Low represents the Silicon Valley in the California State Assembly. He was elected in 2014 after serving as a Councilmember and Mayor for the City of Campbell. He serves as a Member of the Assembly Committees on Business and Professions, Elections, Governmental Organization, Higher Education, and Rules. Assemblymember Low serves as the Chair of the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, is the founder and Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and is a Member of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.

The California Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus serves to represent and advocate for the interests of the AAPI community, including increasing AAPI representation and participation at all levels of government.