Traveller's Guide to Celebrating Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)

Travel to Thailand during Songkran and one thing is for sure - you will get wet. Known as the world's largest water fight, Songkran is actually a celebration of the traditional Thai New Year. It's a time when the whole nation washes away the past and ushers in a new year - with plastic water guns in hand, of course.

Taking place in mid-April each year, cities and towns around Thailand gear up for three days of H2O-fuelled fun, including massive water battles in the streets, as well as festive concerts, parades, parties, and plenty of street food.

But there's more to this holiday than Super Soakers and water balloons. Songkran features many Buddhist customs, which means you'll have the chance to witness locals participate in water-cleansing ceremonies, Buddha-washing rituals, and merit-making traditions.

When it comes to unmissable experiences in Thailand, the Songkran Festival tops the list.

If you're dreaming of experiencing Songkran for yourself, this guide has got you covered with everything you need to know, from the best places to celebrate, to what to wear, and what to expect.

Songkran is officially observed from April 13 to 15 each year. However, in some cities, like Chiang Mai and Pattaya, the festivities can last for five days or more.

Although the Thai New Year now falls on the same day each year, it was traditionally determined by the Hindu calendar, always beginning on the day the sun passes into the Aries constellation, which typically occurs in April.

Modern-day Songkran is most famously celebrated as a country-wide water fight. From big cities to rural towns, the Thai people take to the streets with Super Soakers, plastic water guns, hoses, and buckets of ice with the goal of drenching anyone and everyone around them. It's also common for both locals and foreigners to smear a white powder called din sor pong on other revellers' faces as a symbol of purification.

In many places, Songkran is like one big wet and wild street party. In addition to the water fights, you should also expect a festival-like atmosphere with parades, cultural performances, concerts, DJs, and street food galore.

But Songkran is more than just the world's biggest water battle. As the traditional Thai New Year, the occasion is commemorated with Hindu and Buddhist traditions and customs that date back hundreds of years and are entrenched in spirituality. This is a time for cleansing, washing away bad luck, and ushering in prosperity and new beginnings.

So in addition to seeing people drench each other with water guns, you will also spot locals partaking in New Year's traditions, including cleaning their homes, washing images of Buddha, rinsing the hands of the elderly, and visiting temples to pray and "make merit" toward a more prosperous future by giving alms to the monks.

As the buzzing capital city of Thailand, it makes sense that Bangkok is one of the best places to usher in the Thai New Year. While you'll find street parties all over the city, there are two main hubs that offer visitors a quintessential Songkran experience.

The infamous backpacker area of Khao San Road offers a wild, party-centric atmosphere that caters to the younger crowd. Alternatively, you'll find a huge celebration along a five-kilometre stretch of Silom Road in central Bangkok. This area always features concerts, live performances, street food, and much more.

Chiang Mai takes the Songkran holiday very seriously. Instead of three days of water-filled fun, expect five days of madness. The party typically kicks off inside the Old City near Tha Pae Gate. Celebrating in Chiang Mai is notoriously fun, with people getting their "ammunition" wherever they can, including the moat surrounding the Old City.

From live music and performances to street food and plenty of water, the festival atmosphere never lets up. Another thing that makes celebrating Songkran in Chiang Mai unique is that the Old City is dotted with historic Buddhist temples. Meander away from the mayhem and you'll have the chance to witness traditional water purification ceremonies at some of the most magnificent temples in Thailand.

Pattaya is another place that goes above and beyond for the Songkran holiday. Like Chiang Mai, the festivities during "Wan Lai Pattaya" can last an entire week. Expect a raucous party atmosphere all along Beach Road. Or, for a bit of debauchery during your Songkran holiday, the bars and clubs along Pattaya Walking Street get into the Songkran spirit by hosting foam parties.

For beach-party vibes, Phuket is one of the best places to celebrate the Songkran holiday. Much like the party atmosphere of Pattaya, you can expect to find plenty of water battles and foam parties in Phuket's tourist epicentres of Patong Beach and Bangla Walking Street. Of course, all of the area's beach bars get into the Thai New Year spirit with special Songkran parties and events.

Koh Samui is a great option for your Songkran holiday if you want something a bit more mellow and family-friendly compared to what you'll find in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai. Don't worry - you'll still get to experience major water fights in tourist hubs like Chaweng and Lamai beaches but without the overwhelming intensity. You can also tap into the holiday's traditional and cultural side by visiting Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha) and Wat Plai Laem.

• Hawaiian T-shirts: Wearing a boldly-coloured Hawaiian T-shirt is a tradition during Songkran. So if you want to don the unofficial uniform, be sure to pack a Hawaiian tee or purchase one from one of the many shops selling them leading up to the Thai New Year.
• Lightweight clothes: You're going to get sopping wet during the Songkran Festival, so wearing lightweight, quick-dry clothing is going to be your best bet. This is Thailand, so you will want to dress modestly. For ladies, this means not running around in a bikini and avoiding wearing white, as it will be totally see-through.
• Waterproof shoes: Again, you're going to get wet during Songkran, so don't wear trainers or any shoes that will become waterlogged during the three-day festival. They will never dry out. Instead, opt for waterproof shoes that have good tread so you can avoid slipping and sliding.
• Goggles and earplugs: People can get overzealous with spray guns, so have a pair of goggles on hand to protect your eyes. These are especially handy when you’re in the thick of a water fight. Earplugs are recommended, too. It may sound odd, but ear infections can happen during Songkran, especially in places like Chiang Mai, where moat water is widely used in the battles.
• Dry bag: If you plan on bringing your phone or camera, be sure your valuables are protected inside a dry bag or a plastic case. Packing a change of clothes and a towel inside your dry bag is a great idea, too.

• Ask when and where the festivities will occur: You'll want to research when and where the main celebrations will take place ahead of the holiday. It's always a good idea to check with your hotel or a local to find out if there is a designated water battle area or if there are any special events happening in town.
• Don't throw water on everyone: While it might feel like everyone is participating in Songkran, do use some judgment before soaking just anyone. Monks, children, and the elderly are off-limits. Also, never spray anyone driving a car or motorbike. Accidents during Songkran are far too common.

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year. At its roots, it is a time for purification, getting rid of bad luck, and focusing on new beginnings and fresh starts. In the modern era, these traditional New Year's customs have evolved into the nationwide water fights that the Songkran Festival is so famous for.

The annual Songkran Festival is officially held from April 13 to 15. However, cities like Chiang Mai and Pattaya are known to host extended celebrations of five days or more.

The best destinations to visit during Songkran are Chiang Mai for its famous five-day Old City festival, Bangkok for the massive street party on Silom Road, and Phuket or Koh Samui for Songkran parties on the beach. Every destination celebrates a little bit differently.

You can celebrate Songkran while respecting Thai customs and traditions by dressing modestly. You should also only spray water on those who are participating in the water battles. Never spray monks, children, the elderly, or drivers. All in all, foreigners are welcome to join in on the Songkran festivities with open arms.