Scripts Unit 1 Listening Practice 1

Unit 18

Listening Practice 1

Jessie: Hey, Tam. I heard that in Thailand, New Year’s Day is celebrated differently. Is that true?

Tam: Hey, Jessie. Well, nowadays we celebrate Western New Year’s Day too, but there is also a traditional Thai New Year’s Day. It comes from when Thailand had its own calendar.

Jessie: Really? When is it?

Tam: Traditional Thai New Years is from April 13^th-15^th every year. It is called Songkran in Thai.

Jessie: How is Songkran celebrated?

Tam: During Songkran, people celebrate by throwing water on each other.

Jessie: Really? Why?

Tam: The water is a symbol of washing away all the bad. The idea is people can start the New Year clean and new. Nowadays, people fill up buckets, water guns, and hoses with water and have big water fights.

Jessie: Wow! That sounds fun!

Tam: It definitely is. I think most people still celebrate it just so they can have a party. In my hometown, people get really excited about Songkran.

Jessie: Well, if I ever go to Thailand, I am going to go in April. I love water fights!