It was during my first trip to Thailand that I experienced Songkran Festival—the celebration of the traditional Thai New Year. To welcome the new solar year, Thailand hosts a 3-day water festival during the hottest month of the year. Locals and tourists alike participate in massive public water fights, most notably in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
While the date of the festival was traditionally determined through the method described in Suriyayart, Songkran Festival has since been transformed into a national holiday celebrated from April 13 to April 15.
Beyond the Water Fights and Parties
It is often Songkran Festival’s infamous water fights and parties that attracts tourists from all over the world. However, the traditional Thai New Year is filled with rituals and ceremonies that go beyond bright, pump-action water guns.
Often Songkran festival brings tourists from all over the world with its water fights and parties, but the traditional Thai New Year is filled with rituals and ceremonies that go beyond bright, pump-action water guns.
Typically the celebration starts early in the morning as locals prepare food, which they bring to temples and offer to Buddhist monks. Then they attend a temple ceremony wherein monks chant and bless visitors with water.
All throughout Thailand, Thai people also gather to sprinkle water on images of Buddha or pour water on senior buddhist monks as part of a sacred bathing ritual. This is believed to bring good luck as well as longevity, good health and prosperity.
For locals, Songkran Festival is largely a family event. Similar to how westerners might come home for thanksgiving or Christmas and New Years, Songkran is a festival of unity that brings people home to see their loved ones or elders.
The Significance of Water
Water plays a central role in Thai culture, seen in many of its celebrations, ceremonies and traditions. Songkran Festival, a time of renewal and rebirth, uses water to symbolize cleansing the body and soul in preparation for the new year; washing away bad luck and sins form the previous year.
In more rural areas, splashing water is believed to bring plenty of rainfall in the coming year’s growing season, which in turn provides bountiful harvests.
Surviving Songkran Festival
The traditional Thai New Year celebration has since evolved into this massive water fight. So if you plan on experiencing Songkran Festival for yourself, then prepare to get soaked. NO, there is no hiding from the buckets of water, water guns or even the occasional garden hose.
I unwittingly decided to travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on the first day of the Songkran Festival. Needless to say, I was incredibly ill-prepared. Before I could even leave the hostel, another hostel guest had already targeted me with their water gun. Walking though the streets of Chiang Mai’s Old City, people were equipped with their water loaded weapons of choice. It was an intense adventure just getting into to a songthaew without getting my bags completely soaked.
But if you think being inside public transportation will keep people from splashing you with water, then you are very much mistaken. Throughout the songthaew ride to the bus station, locals and tourists alike come armed and ready to splash and soak everyone in sight. They splashed us through the windows and some guy with a European accent even came into the songthaew to pour a bucket of water on me. It was a crazy, wet mess. (Luckily I had all my electronics and ID in a waterproof bag. Whew!)
Dress for Success
- Wear something light. It’s going to be hot. You’re also going to get wet. Quick drying underwear or bathing suits will probably help keep you comfortable throughout the water-filled affair.
- Dress conservatively. This isn’t a wet t-shirt contest. And guys, keep your shirt on because FUN FACT: Nipples of all genders are considered equally obscene by Thai authorities. This means going topless can get you arrested and/or fined. Be mindful Thai culture is still relatively conservative and Songkran Festival is a traditional family event.
- Keep your feet happy: Wear sandals or thongs (flip-flops). I underestimated just how wet I was gonna get so I naively wore sneakers out on the first day of Songkran. Just do yourself a favour and don’t repeat my mistake.
- Protect yourself. Wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes. And don’t forget the sunscreen! April is the hottest month of the year.
Waterproof your Sh*t
- While most people will avoid soaking you when you have your phone or camera out, Songkran Festival gets crazy and often chaotic. You’re gonna get wet—there’s no ifs and buts about it. So if you have things you don’t want to get wet, make sure you have them waterproofed.
- Don’t bring any valuables with you unless completely necessary.
- Put your cash or bank cards in a waterproof bag. Same goes for your phone. (if you don’t already have one, there are usually a lot of vendors along the street selling some).
- Forget high maintenance hair and makeup. You’re gonna be completely wet. If you really can’t do without makeup, make sure they are waterproof.
It’s a National Holiday
Public offices and banks are closed throughout this national holiday. So if you need to get something done or get some cash out, make sure you do it before the offices close. Also, since banks are closed for the entire 3-day event, some ATMs may run out of cash.
Safety First
The death toll for road accidents double during the Songkran Festival, with an average of 52 road deaths per day. So if you’re taking part in the festival this year, avoid riding a bike or if you must, make sure you were a helmet.
Where to Celebrate
Songkran Festival is celebrated everywhere in Thailand. If you are in the country at this time, there is no way you could possibly miss it. That being said, Chiang Mai and Bangkok have some of the biggest celebrations. Tourists flock into these popular hubs for both the water-filled celebration as well as the massive parties.
Chiang Mai
If you’re after some good-old splashing fun then head to the city moat and within the old city wall. Want to party? Huay Kaew Road along the north moat hosts fun events and concerts. But if you want to experience the culture and traditions that come with the traditional Thai New Year, then head to Thapae gate, where they start the activities early in the morning by offering alms to monks, proceeded by a parade and a procession.
Bangkok
Khao San Road: Water stalls, buckets and water guns lined this backpacker’s haven. The roadside bars can also provide refuge from the constant water fights.
Silom: The host of one of the wildest celebrations of Songkran Festival. Closing this 5 km road off to traffic quickly turns Silom into a big water playground. Also, if you’d rather watch Silom’s crazy water fights from a safe, relatively dry distance, walk up the BTS skywalk.
Where to Stay
As Songkran Festival is a very popular festival, it brings in a lot of tourists and visitors. If you’re planning your trip around this time, make sure to book your accommodations ahead of time as many of the hostels filled up quickly. Of course, being the terrible traveller that I am, I didn’t do this and had to look for last minute accommodations and paid a bit more than I normally would.
I booked all my accommodations throughout Thailand either through Agoda or Airbnb. You can read more about how I planned my trip along with tips on finding accommodations on this blog post.
If you’re thinking of trying out Airbnb, try my referral link and get $45 CAD on your first home booking and $17 CAD on an experience at no cost to you. In return, I get a small commission for referring you.
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The Thai traditional New Year, Songkran Festival, is definitely an event worth experiencing in Thailand. Beyond the undoubtedly fun water fights and parties, it provides a glimpse into Thai culture and traditions like no other.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand in April, don’t shy away from participating in everything this water-filled celebration has to offer. Observe how the locals prepare for the celebration. Then, join the water fights or go to one of the many parties. Have fun and prepare to get soaked!
Have you been to Thailand during Songkran Festival? How was your experience? I’d love to know any additional tips, helpful information or questions in the comments below!
