Summary
One of the coolest festivals (and I mean that in every sense – that water is cold) is Songkran Festival in Thailand. We were lucky enough to find ourselves in Chang Mai during the Thai New Year celebrations where we took part in the world’s largest water fight!
Also celebrated in Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, Songkran is a water festival that rings in the traditional Thai New Year, which just happens to be the hottest time of the year. Meaning “stepping into and passing” when combining the Sanskrit words Song and Krant, the word Songkran represents the sun moving from one sign of the zodiac to another.
Update: Many Songkran events in 2021 have been cancelled and the government is refunding tickets for travel. If you are in Thailand, make sure to check for restrictions and openings as things are constantly changing. See Songkran updates here.
Songkran Water Festival Thailand
While this year is going back to basics, something tells me that when things are back to normal in the world, Thailand will be celebrating Songkran in full swing next year. It’s just too much of a joyous occasion. (plus it brings in a lot of tourist dollars) While things are still changing around the world, let’s look back at what Songkran Festival has been and our experience taking part in the New Year celebrations.
Chang Mai is certainly the most exciting place to celebrate Songkran Festival in Thailand and that is where we celebrated it. A significant cultural city located in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is filled with tradition, temples, the old city, and even a beautiful moat that makes for the perfect setting for a water festival. There is no place I would rather be to ring in the New Year.
- Hot Tip: Chiang Mai is also the best place to celebrate another popular festival in Thailand Loy Krathong and Yi Peng.
About Songkran Festival – Happy Thai New Year
Songkran takes place annually from April 13-15, which is the Traditional Thai New Year representing a time when the sun moves from the astrological month of Pisces to Aries. But while we were in Chang Mai, the festivities started on April 10. (I think it is such a fun festival, people just can’t wait to get started!)
We say “Traditional Thai New Year” because today, Thailand celebrates the New Year on January 1st like the rest of us. However, from 1888 to 1940, Songkran was Thailand’s official New Year celebration.
Traditionally, Buddha statues are bathed, young people pay respect to their elders, and people visit temples to pray and pour scented water in the hands of monks and pour water over Buddha images to wash away any bad luck from the previous year. In recent years, Songkran has evolved into a more festive celebration, combining tradition with a massive water fight where both locals and tourists join in.
Songkran – Day By Day Breakdown
First Day Songkran
The first day of the water festival is known as Songkran Day, a day for spring cleaning to get ready for the new year. The Thai people clean their houses, their bodies, and get rid of the bad luck from the previous year. Consequently, they can ring in the new year with a clean slate.
Most Thai people return to their villages during this time, and the young pay respect to their elders by sprinkling scented water on their palms. It is also a day when processions of Buddha images parade through the streets.
Day 2 of Songkran
April 14 is the date of day two of the water festival, also known as Wan Nao. It marks the sun’s entry into the astrological calendar of Aries. This day is about preparing offerings, spending time with family, and minimizing conflict. It is also when people do their shopping to stock up on traditional items for Songkran. Moreover, the water throwing starts on day two.
The first couple of days seem harmless enough, but as time goes on, the water becomes colder and colder as blocks of ice are added to huge barrels of water. As the days progress, the water fights become more intense until it is one soaked minute after another.
Day 3 – New Year’s Day
Day three of Songkran is the actual New Year’s Day. This is when the water fights truly pick up, with water guns unleashed as Thai people return home to celebrate with their loved ones. Nonetheless, traditional New Year celebrations continue, with Thai people going to temples to make offerings to the monks and pour rose-scented water over Buddha images to ensure good fortune in the coming year.
Filling water at Songkran – Bars are the best places to fill water bottles. You can buy a beer for a few baht and gain access to icy water. Barrels are set up around the cities with water trucks constantly going around to refill. People are armed with hoses and, during our visit, Chiang Mai had paid filling stations.
Songkran Tips for Foreigners Celebrating
Our Songkran experience consisted of four days of solid cheer, goodwill, and sometimes painfully cold dousings of water. It’s party time in the country, and tourists are a great target. Everybody is fair game here during Songkran. The nicer the outfit, the wetter you get. Even if you try to dodge through back streets late in the day, you will find no relief. People are everywhere.
- Buy a large water gun with a backpack to maximize water. We purchased a small squirt gun, which proved useless. You need something massive!
- Keep your money in a plastic bag and your electronics in a waterproof bag. Things will definitely get soaked.
- Use a waterproof camera or GoPro for photographs. There is no room for an expensive DSLR.
- Respect Thai customs and dress appropriately. It is insulting for visitors to wear bikinis and spaghetti straps. Ensure your shoulders and knees are covered when participating in Songkran.
- Exercise caution when throwing water at motorcycles. Many accidents occur every year, leading to fatalities.
- If you need a break from the festivities, head to a mall for a safe haven.
- There are water-fill stations established everywhere. Lined like parking meters, you can throw in a few baht for a quick refill without interrupting the ongoing water fight.
- Street vendors equipped with barrels sell ice water for 10 to 20 baht. You’ll be refilling often!
- Carry loose change for refilling and cash for drinks at bars. When you stop for a beverage, they will let you refill your water.
Best Places To Celebrate Songkran In Thailand
The entire country engages in the Songkran Festival. As the traditional Thai New Year, it is a nationwide celebration; however, some locations celebrate with more enthusiasm, catering to tourists eager to join in the epic water fights.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai boasts the biggest Songkran celebration in Thailand, officially kicking off on April 12 with the procession of Buddha images, and yes, the water-throwing begins that day as well. Locals love targeting tourists with big buckets of icy water.
The most thrilling place to experience Songkran in Chang Mai is the moat. Thousands of people line the streets next to the water, waiting for passing vehicles like open tuk-tuks, songthaews, and pickup trucks. If you are in a vehicle, you become an easy target.
In a tuk-tuk, you might find yourself in big fun trouble. Riding in the back seat of this open-air mode of transport, your driver will take you directly to the moat, stopping often for passengers to get soaked from all directions. There’s no escape – traffic comes to a standstill as everyone aims to hit you with everything they’ve got until you finally move on.
- Where to Stay in Chiang Mai – Ratilana Riverside Resort – We loved this upscale riverside resort. Trust me, during Songkran you will appreciate a quiet and safe retreat away from it all. While the water fights are fun, you will need a break.
Bangkok
Bangkok is a fantastic place for tourists to celebrate Songkran. Many Thai locals typically return to their villages to gather with family for the holiday. When they leave Bangkok, tourists take their place.
The festival kicks off at Wat Pho, home to the reclining Buddha. On the first day of Songkran, the Buddha image is transported from the National Museum to Sanam Luan. If you want to be in the heart of the festivities, head to Kho San Road, where the celebration reaches maximum excitement for tourists.
Silom Street in Patpong is another excellent location for both locals and foreigners celebrating Songkran in Bangkok. It is 5km long and teeming with people spraying each other with water guns and buckets. You can even watch the festivities from above on the Sky Walk.
For traditional Songkran celebrations in Bangkok, consider staying near Wat Pho and the Grand Palace in the public square of Sanam Luang. This area is where the Buddha image is displayed, allowing visitors to sprinkle water on it while the traditional bathing of Buddha statues takes place. It is a lovely part of Bangkok to visit, so make sure to check it out!
- Where to Stay in Bangkok – Royal Orchard Sheraton Bangkok – Another riverside hotel, located on the Chao Phraya River. It serves as an excellent escape from the Songkran festivities, but you can reach the Grand Palace or Kho San Road in just minutes with free shuttles to the Sky Train, alongside direct access to all Chao Phraya transportation.
Phuket
It comes as no surprise that Songkran is popular in Phuket. Thailand’s largest and most popular island, Patong Beach in Phuket is filled with festival celebrations of traditional water throwing. If you find yourself in southern Thailand, make your way to Phuket for Songkran. One unique event during Songkran in Phuket is the Miss Songkran pageant.
- Where to Stay in Phuket – Phuket Four Points Sheraton – You will notice a recurring suggestion here: stay a little farther from the New Year celebrations. You’ll want some quiet time between water battles, and the Sheraton is situated at Patong Beach, providing a peaceful retreat away from the main drag.
Pattaya
The beach city of Pattaya has long been a massive party spot for expats and foreigners celebrating Songkran. The festivities commence a week before the holiday and continue for several days after. Pattaya has its additional holiday known as Wan Lai, meaning “Day that Flows.” This day is an extra day of Songkran in Pattaya, creating a week-long celebration.
Pattaya also has a unique tradition of mixing talcum powder with water to create a white paste that is smeared on everyone’s faces.
- Where to fill up your water bottles in Pattaya? At the bar, of course. Just buy a drink and you’ll gain access to icy cold water.
- Where to stay in Pattaya – We stayed at the Pattaya Ibis, which was great with a rooftop bar. It’s a solid option for escaping the festivities for a while yet close enough to the action and the beach.
Everybody Loves Songkran
Everybody loves Songkran; you’ll observe young children and the elderly taking part. We had a memorable moment during the water festival when Dave came across three adorable kids sitting in a barrel full of water. They were easy targets, and Dave had a blast engaging in an all-out war with them. The kids were delightful and seemed oblivious to the fact that Dave could have escaped at any moment – they just continued squirting him with laughter. It is a moment I will cherish forever.
This famous water festival sees people of all ages riding in the backs of trucks filled with massive barrels of water, throwing it at those who pass by. Individuals have enormous water guns strapped to their backs, and children pop out from hiding spots, catching unsuspecting pedestrians off guard.
As we remain safe and eagerly await the time when we can gather in crowds and celebrate, it is delightful to dream of a future filled with soaking strangers in the streets while reveling in this beautiful part of life.
