Songkran at Krua Thai

Diverse cultures around the world celebrate the New Year at varied times with different practices and ceremonies. However, certain aspects remain constant such as the lively festive mood that is filled with high expectations and enthusiasm for the coming year.

The  popular  Krua Thai Restaurant in uptown Cebu, and I may add confidently that it serves an authentic Thai cuisine, celebrated such an event with no less than Ambassador of Thailand Asha Divitiyananda in attendance.

On hand to warmly welcome the Ambassador and special guests, that included a number of Thai students and residents who have made Cebu their home, were Pongpoj and Carol Hiranpruck,  their enterprising son Anthony Ballreich who was  accompanied by his supportive wife Cheryl.

The traditional Thai New Year called Songkran marks the passage of the sun from Taurus to Aries. The most popular of this celebration is the throwing of water almost everywhere. In the spirit of the day, everything including Buddha images, the parents and elderly are water drenched and smeared with perfumed talcum powder as a symbol of cleansing and renewal.

Ambassador Divitiyananda and Carol Ballreich Hiranpruck led the solemn ritual of bathing the Buddha, as it is believed this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. The rest of the Thai invitees were more than enthusiastic to take part in such a ceremony.

 After the formal rites,  a sumptuous dinner buffet followed. As expected, noodles in all shapes and sizes, cooked in various ways, were the most sought after dishes, considering it is common belief that eating noodles ensures long life.

Also served that evening was the Singha beer, the king of Thai beer, which was established over seventy years ago. Something most westerners will find unusual is the fact that many Thais put ice in their beer. While this might seem like a sacrilege to beer lovers, it actually is not a bad idea when drinking the more potent beer that has  high  alcohol content.

Most of us, when asked to describe Thai food, would sum it up with one word, spicy. And although  Thai cuisine can be  tear-inducing, truly great Thai dishes are  more subtle. It is a mishmash of spicy, salty, sweet, sour and bitter which translates into a balancing act of chilies, fish sauce, sugar, lime and basil. Why not try Krua Thai Restaurant located at The Banilad Town Center, if you haven't already?