On the eve of the national Songkran celebrations, the Thai Fine Arts Department has announced the successful restoration of a series of 17th-century stone inscriptions located in the heart of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. These rare texts provide a detailed account of the "Water-Lustral" rites performed by the royal court during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, clarifying the transition from Hindu-Brahmanical purification rituals to the modern Buddhist water festival.
Archaeologists working on the project utilized advanced 3D laser scanning to decipher eroded sections of the granite slabs, which describe the specific aromatic blends of sandalwood and jasmine used in the king's ritual bath. The findings highlight the historical importance of water as a symbol of cosmic order and renewal, a tradition that has evolved into the communal water-splashing activities seen across Thailand today.