Wan Lai Songkran in Northeastern Thailand: Recreational Dynamics within a Contemporary Pluralistic Society

Abstract

Wan Lai Songkran is not merely a festival inherited from the traditional Songkran celebration but represents a phenomenon of cultural recreational innovation that reflects the foundations of faith, lifestyle, and community participation in Thai society. Its transformation in the contemporary context demonstrates a process of cultural hybridization between traditional rituals and modern recreational activities, giving rise to a powerful cultural mechanism that drives behavioral change, well-being, social relations, local economic vitality, and ethical public-space governance. This article aims to 1) examine the cultural foundations and dynamics of Wan Lai Songkran through the dimensions of belief, lifestyle, and community participation; 2) analyze its transformation as a recreational innovation reflecting the fusion between traditional customs and contemporary recreational forms in Thailand; 3) evaluate the impacts of Wan Lai Songkran on recreational behavior, the social environment, culture, and local economy through the frameworks of recreation for development and public-space management; and       4) propose guidelines for designing, developing, and managing Wan Lai Songkran as a sustainable recreational practice that integrates physical, mental, social, and cultural dimensions of well-being. Employing documentary synthesis, field analysis, and contemporary recreation frameworks, the findings reveal that Wan Lai functions not only as a form of cultural preservation but also as a socio-cultural mechanism that balances traditional cultural capital with contemporary societal needs while addressing challenges related to safety, environmental impact, and spatial ethics. The authors therefore propose the Wan Lai Model, a systemic framework integrating cultural grounding, well-being and participation, and ethical public spaces, serving as a prototype for designing and developing sustainable community-based recreation. Furthermore, the model demonstrates strong potential for adaptation to other cultural activities at both local and national levels, fostering happiness, learning, and harmonious coexistence within a pluralistic society.