Celebrate Thai New Year at Songkran, where water fights bring good luck for the year ahead

While the Chinese use firecrackers to drive away bad luck and welcome the new year, Thais cleanse themselves with water to usher in the new year. The Thai New Year in mid-April symbolizes purification and a fresh start, and everyone gets splashed to mark the occasion. As a result, no one can escape completely dry—water splashes every few steps, and jets of water fly about as locals gleefully drench passersby and vehicles as a form of blessing.

According to the Thai lunar calendar, the actual Thai New Year, Songkran, like the Chinese New Year, falls on a floating date. However, since the Songkran ceremony has become a major tourist attraction, the Thai government has fixed the festival from April 13 to 15 each year for both tourists and locals to celebrate together. Typically, on the first morning of the festival, families gather to take turns pouring scented water over the hands of elders and parents as a sign of respect and to seek their blessings. Similar to Chinese traditions, Thais also visit temples with their families. In Bangkok, many gather around the Grand Palace, where people queue up to pour fragrant water over Buddha statues, praying for the safety and well-being of their families throughout the year.

Although the festival begins in April, the timing varies by region, and celebrations typically last for three consecutive days in each area. The most exciting and activity-packed celebrations are in Chiang Mai in the north. Festivities, parades, and other events kick off in the first week of April, making it the wildest spot for water fights. As for the tourist beaches in southern Thailand, though activities are usually limited to the first day of the New Year, they’re still lively and bustling. Wherever crowds gather, water flies everywhere, with locals and tourists from all over the world joining in the fun—even police officers maintaining order on the streets aren’t spared.

This year’s key Songkran events across Thailand include: Bangkok from April 10 to 15, centered around the Nine Temples Blessing Area and the Rattanakosin region; Chiang Mai from April 12 to 15, celebrated in Chiang Mai City with events such as the procession of the Phra Buddha Sihing statue for bathing, pouring water on the palms of elders for blessings, local cultural performances, traditional handicraft workshops, and water fight parades; Sukhothai from April 11 to 15, held in the ancient city of Si Satchanalai; and Phuket from April 10 to 13, taking place at Dolphin Park in Phuket Town and around Jungceylon Shopping Mall on Patong Beach.

For detailed information on the 2010 Thai Songkran celebrations, you can check the official website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Just pack light, but be sure to waterproof your camera or any essential belongings.

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