The legislature of New York State has passed a resolution declaring Songkran as a significant cultural event for the Asian-American community in the state.
The resolution, suggested by Steven Raga, a legislator in New York State, was approved during a meeting of the assembly in Albany, the capital of New York State, on April 1st.
In the resolution, it is noted that Songkran is celebrated not only in Thailand, but also in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, as well as among minorities in Vietnam, China’s Yunnan province and in Sri Lanka.
The resolution was well received by the Thai community and Buddhist organizations in the United States and is considered an honor that Songkran has been acknowledged as a cultural event in the West.
On April 14th, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer presided over the Songkran celebration held at the Thai Thavorn Wararam Temple in New York City.
