Sanuk is roughly translated as “fun,” but is so much more than that. Sanuk is a cultural feeling of connection and comfort. Sanuk mai? Are you having fun? … or more accurately … Are you having an enjoyable time of rambunctious connection with your friends or family in an environment that lets your nervous system relax and engages all your senses? Sanuk is an active “fun,” something the Songkran festival fully epitomizes.

You can have Sanuk alone, or with friends, but you must be active and connected to what it is that is creating this feeling. Sanuk is not a passive action that happens to you or around you. You must participate and splash around with engagement. Sanuk mai? Sanuk mak!