Rod Nam Dam Hua Ceremony 2025

On April 4, 2025, our Grade 5 students at Chiang Mai International School (CMIS) had the honor of representing the student body in a heartfelt Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremony, a cherished Thai tradition held during the Songkran Festival.In this beautiful cultural event, the students poured fragrant water over the hands of our elementary school teachers as a gesture of respect and to offer blessings for the Thai New Year.

This meaningful activity reflects the values of gratitude, respect, and community that we nurture here at CMIS

Rod Nam Dam Hua Ceremony 2024 & Songkran

The Rod Nam Dam Hua Ceremony, a cherished Songkran tradition, was celebrated as students respectfully poured water over the hands of elders and teachers, seeking blessings and showing gratitude. CMIS preserves this meaningful tradition to instill values of humility, respect, and cultural appreciation, ensuring the continuation of Thai heritage across generations.

Thai Traditional Games

CMIS Elementary Students Enjoy Traditional Thai Fun

CMIS Elementary School students enthusiastically participate in the traditional Thai game "Stepping Balloons," a lively and energetic activity that combines teamwork, strategy, and lots of laughter. Dressed in colorful Songkran-inspired attire, students embrace the spirit of Thai culture, strengthening bonds with peers while celebrating the rich traditions of Thailand. This event reflects the school's commitment to blending cultural appreciation with joyful learning experiences.

CMIS Middle School Students Try Their Hand at 'เดินกะลา'

(Coconut Shell Walking)

CMIS Middle School students take on the challenge of "เดินกะลา" (Coconut Shell Walking), a traditional Thai game that tests balance, coordination, and concentration. With ropes in hand and feet perched on coconut shells, students carefully navigate the course, cheering each other on in a fun and culturally immersive activity. This playful experience not only brings the joy of Thai heritage to life but also encourages teamwork and determination among students.

CMIS Students Compete in the Classic 'วิ่งกระสอบ' (Sack Race)

CMIS students jump into action during the traditional Thai game "วิ่งกระสอบ" (Sack Race), showcasing their agility, determination, and plenty of laughter along the way. The playful competition, part of the school's celebration of Thai culture, allows students to experience the joy of this timeless activity while fostering camaraderie and friendly rivalry. The colorful bunting and lively atmosphere bring added energy to the event, making it a highlight of the cultural festivities.

High School Students Celebrate Songkran at CMIS

CMIS High School students enjoy a spirited water fight to mark the finale of the school's Songkran Day celebration. Dressed in vibrant floral shirts, they immerse themselves in the festive spirit of Thailand's traditional New Year, embracing the joy, unity, and fun that Songkran represents. This lively activity serves as a memorable conclusion to the day's cultural festivities, leaving everyone refreshed and full of smiles as they honor one of Thailand's most beloved traditions.

Rod Nam Dum Hua Ceremony 2023

The Songkran festival was observed by CMIS this year as a part of an international week. We began with the Rod-Nam Dam Hua Ceremony, a Lanna rite in which the young ask the adults for forgiveness for any wrongdoing, whether intentional and unintentional.

Northern Thailand's "Rod Nam Dum Hua" is a long-standing tradition. Traditionally, in the North, Rod Nam Dum Hua meant to "ask for forgiveness and blessing," whereas Rod Nam meant to bathe one's entire body. Subsequently, other parts of Thailand adopted this tradition.

Typically, the Rod-Nam-Dum-Hua tradition only occurs on April 15, the final day of the Songkran holiday.

This year, fifth graders served as the school's representatives to ask for their forgiveness and express regret for any wrongdoing students may have committed against the teachers. The ceremony was successful and left a lasting impression.

Som Tum Lee Laa Contest 2023

Som Tum Lee Laa Contest has been relaunched

Since the previous launch in 2019, we have relaunched the Som Tum Lee Laa Contest. It serves to highlight cultural diversity and promote Thai culture. All of the high school kids who actively engaged in this activity were thrilled with the performance, and the audience was delighted with the performance .We appreciate the high school students who are participating in this event to celebrate and commemorate the Songkran festival.

Tung Making 2023

Students in MS and HS learned how to create "Tung" (ตุง) to celebrate the Songkran celebration. Tung is a Lanna flag that is typically displayed in a colorful manner. Tung, which means wealth, peace, and happiness, is used to denote auspicious occasions. "Tung" can be observed, notably on April 15th, at the Songkran festival or Pi Mai Muang ( ปี๋ใหม่เมือง) .It is customary for Lanna people to bring Tung to the temple to be placed on a sand pagoda in order to bring prosperity and fortune to their family.

HS students are making "Tung"

Our Tung are displayed all throughout our classroom.

In the classroom, colorful Tung are ornamented.

"Tung" Making

In order to commemorate holidays in the traditional Lanna way, students learnt how to make a "Tung" type of flag

The "Tung" represents fortune. The vibrant hues indicate the optimism of a new year, rejuvenation, and fortune.

We celebrated SongKran by decorating tungs produced by students all over the campus.

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