On 13 April 2013, Mr. Surasak Suparat, Chargé d' Affaires, presided the Songkran Festival at the Johannesburg Meditation Center. Activities in the morning included the merit making, the water bathing of the Buddha Image ceremony, the meditation and the rain robe offering ceremony. In the afternoon, participants poured water on the hands of the elders in order to bring the happiness to their lives. Young people also splashed the water to each other for fun.