Avoid wearing white clothes or helping Buddha take a bath? Five tips for enjoying Thailand’s Songkran Water Festival

▲Mid-April marks Thailand’s annual Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year). (Photo / Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Reporter Chen Ziying / Comprehensive report

In mid-April, Thailand ushers in its most famous festival—the Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year). Travelers from around the world also take this opportunity to visit Thailand’s cities and celebrate with locals, immersing themselves in the most important festive atmosphere. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” To have an enjoyable Songkran experience in Thailand, asking locals for their “secrets” on how to join in is the best approach. Once you’re familiar with these five tips, you can set off happily to join the vibrant celebrations.

1. In the morning, you can first participate in the temple prayer and merit-making ceremonies. Visit temples to listen to Buddhist sermons and learn about the significance of Songkran for locals. For them, temple activities are the most important aspect of the Songkran celebrations.

2. During the Songkran Festival, people can perform a bathing ritual for Buddha statues, which is also a way to pray for blessings for themselves. When pouring water over the statues, remember never to pour it directly on the sacred head of the Buddha—that is considered disrespectful. Instead, pour the water on other parts of the statue’s body.

3. The traditional act of gently pouring clean water over the hands of elders (aged 60 and above) is a gesture of respect and a way to seek their blessings for the new year. This custom is known as the “Rod Nam Dum Hua” ceremony.

4. The water you splash on others should be clean or mixed with traditional Thai fragrances. Avoid drenching others forcefully, using high-pressure water guns or hoses, or throwing water with ice cubes.

5. It is recommended that women avoid wearing tight, light-colored, or thin-fabric clothing, as such garments become quite transparent when wet and may increase the risk of harassment.

During the Songkran celebrations in various regions, you can refer to the following highlights:

Central Region
Bangkok (April 12–15)
The revered Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image is paraded from the National Museum to the vicinity of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, where a bathing ceremony is held for public worship. Tourists are advised to wear traditional Thai attire. You can also visit Khao San Road and Silom Road, where large crowds gather—this is the city-style celebration.

Ayutthaya (April 13–15)
In this ancient capital of Ayutthaya, join locals in celebrating Songkran. Participate in merit-making ceremonies at Viharn Phra Mongkolborpit, enjoy the Songkran Queen and elaborately decorated float parades, Buddha bathing rituals, the Rod Nam Dum Hua blessing ceremony for elders, and many other religious and cultural activities.

Samut Prakan (Celebration dates vary by district)
Phra Pradaeng is one of the few places in Thailand that celebrates the Thai New Year in the Thai-Mon style. Visitors can enjoy beautiful float parades, the Songkran Queen beauty pageant, the Loy Chai (Mr. Songkran) competition, Mon ethnic performances, and Mon-style Saba games (April 17–19). In the Bang Nam Phueng area, highlights include the Nam Pheung Giant Beauty Pageant, the Songkran Queen contest, local comedy and drama shows, and many other folk cultural activities (April 13–15).

Kanchanaburi (Celebration dates vary by district)
The Thai-Myanmar border town of Sangkhla Buri celebrates Songkran from April 13 to 18. Mon or authentic Thai-Myanmar ethnic groups conduct merit-making ceremonies for monks on Thailand’s longest wooden bridge, while also performing the Mon-style Buddha bathing ritual using bamboo tubes that can sometimes stretch for several kilometers. Nong Prue District celebrates Songkran from April 13 to 17 with a Honey Wax Castle parade, along with merit-making ceremonies, Rod Nam Dum Hua blessings for elders, and local theatrical performances.

Northern Region
Chiang Mai (April 12–16)
The Prapeni Pi Mai Mueang festival lasts for five days. Highlights include joining the prestigious parade and bathing ceremony of Chiang Mai’s Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image. During the parade, participants carry sand and a Sali bodhi tree branch into the temple.

Sukhothai Si Satchanalai (April 8–12)
Participate in the worship ceremonies for King Maha Thammaracha I and the royal dynasty, enjoy the Songkran Queen beauty pageant, and watch the Chang Pho Mueang parade in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. From April 13 to 15, the park also holds Songkran celebrations commemorating Sukhothai’s legacy as Thailand’s ancient capital.

Chiang Rai (April 13–15)
The Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image from Wat Phra Singh is paraded out for public bathing and worship. Join the Songkran Queen parade, sand pagoda sculpting competitions, and a series of fun local performances.

Mae Hong Son (April 13–15)
Join the Buddha and Songkran Queen parades and enjoy a variety of fun activities, including Songkran float parades, local sports, and cooking demonstrations of regional snacks and desserts.

Tak (April 13–15)
Join the Thai-Myanmar Songkran celebrations held on the banks of the Moei River, with other highlights including Muay Kaad Cheuk (Thai-Myanmar boxing) matches between Thailand and Myanmar. In this ancient martial art, fighters wrap their fists and forearms with hemp ropes.

Phitsanulok (April 8–10)
The revered Por Pu Buddha image bathing ceremony takes place, where devout Buddhists pour scented water over the statue to welcome the New Year. Visit the Phitsanulok City Pillar Shrine in Mueang District and learn about the province’s history through a spectacular light and sound show.

Northeastern Region
Udon Thani (April 12–16)
Participate in the Buddhist monk and Rod Nam Dum Hua elder bathing ceremonies, sample local cuisine at the food court, and enjoy special stage performances showcasing the best flavors from across the town.

Nong Khai (April 6–18)
Experience the highly revered procession and bathing ceremony of Luang Por Phra Sai, and join the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge celebration symbolizing unity between the two nations.

Nakhon Ratchasima (April 13–15)
Join the unique Songkran celebration parade, merit-making activities, Rod Nam Dum Hua elder bathing ceremony, local performances, and stage entertainment by well-known Thai artists.

Mukdahan (April 12–16)
Here, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam come together to celebrate Songkran, featuring a grand parade depicting figures from the three Mekong River countries and the enduring friendship among their people, as well as merit-making rituals and the Rod Nam Dum Hua elder bathing ceremony.

Eastern Region
Chanthaburi (celebration dates vary by district)
In Mueang District, there is a ceremony where a “Death God” statue is paraded to the sea to drive away bad luck (April 13–17). In Bang Saen District, locals gather for the Wan Lai merit-making ceremony and sand pagoda building competition (April 18–19). In Si Racha District, other planned traditional activities include a rice pagoda parade and local cultural performances (April 19–21).

Southern Region
Songkhla – Hat Yai (April 11–15)
This is the only place in Thailand that celebrates Songkran at midnight. From noon until midnight, enjoy a variety of fun activities, including the Songkran parade, local sports, the Miss Songkran beauty pageant, and diverse forms of entertainment.

Nakhon Si Thammarat (April 11–15)
Join the Nang Dan parade, which is equivalent to the Songkran celebration in Nakhon Si Thammarat, witness the bathing ceremony of the highly respected Phra Si Thammathirat Buddha image, take part in the Rod Nam Dum Hua elder bathing ceremony, and enjoy local performances.

Surat Thani – Koh Samui (April 12–14)
The highlight of the beach Songkran festivities on Koh Samui takes place along Chaweng Beach, along with watching the Samui Muay Thai Angels competition.

Phuket (April 13–15)
On Thailand’s most popular resort island, local Songkran events are held on the beaches, featuring merit-making ceremonies, elder bathing rituals, various competitions, and fun-filled entertainment programs.