JFE Shoji Group company Central Metals (Thailand) Ltd. (CMT) staged its second company Songkran water festival on April 11 on company grounds. Songkran, the Thai New Year, is known around the world for wild water festivals where participants douse each other with water to wash away bad spirits. CMT put on its first Songkran event last year before the extended holiday period with the aim of deepening the bonds between employees.

As is tradition, CMT employees wore colorful flower-print shirts on the day of the festival in a congenial and enjoyable atmosphere. One of the event’s highlights was Rod Nam Dum Hua, a Thai ritual in which water is poured on elders as a sign of respect. During the ritual, employees expressed their respect and gratitude by pouring water and flower petals on CMT Managing Director Takashi Nakajima, CMT Director Seksun Duncoom and the Japanese expatriate staff as they sat next to an altar.

The management team then presented every employee with a small electric fan as a token of appreciation for all their hard work and to help them beat the heat. Thailand gets particularly hot in April, so this gift was a welcome surprise to the employees. At the end of the festival, Managing Director Nakajima sent everyone off with a wish for their safe travels and happy times with their families. Participants clearly went home with a warm feeling in their heart.

This festival is not only a celebration of an important Thai tradition, but also a valuable opportunity to foster a sense of togetherness in the workplace.

CMT will continue to value the bonds between employees as it strives to grow together with them.