[11] It is related to the equivalent Hindu calendar-based New Year festivals in most parts of South Asia, which are collectively referred to as Mesha Sankranti.
Oxford English Dictionary defines Songkran as "The festival of the Thai New Year, characterized by various observances involving the pouring or splashing of water (1727–present.)".
[12] Term has also entered other languages, such as French: La fête du Songkran,[13] Dutch: Sonkraen,[14] Japanese: ソンクラーン,[15] Chinese: 宋干节[16] and Korean: 송끄란.
[44] Songkran in Sanskrit forms, written as Vishuva Sankranti in Khom[B] script epigraphs, which marked the beginning of the New Year in the Odisha calendar and referred to the sun on midday has equally orbited in the day and night, was found in Thailand at these locations; The word Songkran not only can be found those Thai archaeological evidences, but also being recorded by foreigners who ever lived in Thailand.
[63] Similarly in the same suburb, the Mahamakut Buddhist Foundation organizes a Songkran celebration featuring chanting, blessing, a short sermon, a fund raising food fete and Southeast Asian traditional dances.
[74] The Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara in Pasadena, California celebrates the Songkran festival with a focus on the Sri Lankan New Year.