Songkran – Thailand New Year
What: The world’s biggest water fight and unquestionable the best way to ring in a new year! — Songkran marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year in the only way possible with a giant water fight as revellers from across the country unite to cleanse themselves and each other of their sins and bad luck from the previous year and bring in good luck for the year ahead.
But before the water fights begin, there are two days of reflection and purification, with Songkran officially beginning on elders day and seeing the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual take place, in which elders of a family will have water blessed over them by youngers as a lesson in humility, and the second day dedicated to families, with most independently owned shops shutting down to allow for quality family time and reflection to take place.
With the festival going up a gear and breaking out into the water fight on the third day, where crowds roam the streets with water buckets, water pistols and even water trucks to help ensure everyone will have a good year ahead.
When: Songkran takes place over three days, usually in Mid-April, although dates do vary based on the Buddhist calendar, so it’s advised to check in advance when planning for Songkran.
Where: Songkran takes place all over Thailand – with the area around the famous Khao San Road in Bangkok being particularly notorious for Songkran celebrations, for a more cultured less party centric experience you can also head to Chang Mai and Ayutthaya, where the spiritual element of the festival is more prominent.
Tickets: There are no tickets required to participate in or attend Songkran – you just need to show up and be prepared to get wet. For those who don’t have water pistols, there are plenty on sale as a series of pop-up stands selling everything from buckets to fireworks appear in the streets in the lead up to the festival.
Duration: Songkran lasts for 3 days, on the first day you can expect a series of ceremonies to be held including the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual and blessing in Buddhists temples, these tend to begin in mid morning and finish in mid-afternoon, with a series of the blessings taking place in private at home, the same applies on the second day, when you can expect a number of shops to close as people spend time indoors with family.
For the final day and the day of the water fight, it’s advised to do it in two sittings, firstly head on in mid-morning to soak up (pun intended) the festival and experience the blast of Songkran – and then head out again in late afternoon when the crowds and atmosphere will be bigger and giving you more people to bless with your water pistol.
Need to Know: Expect to get wet ! – The streets can get very crowded especially near Khoa Son Road so if attending in Bangkok it’s advised to be prepared for crushes and to be careful with your belongings especially those which are not waterproof.
For those who don’t have super soakers on hand they can easily be purchased from a number of street stalls on the days of the festival.
