Held every April in Thailand, the Songkran Festival is as internationally renowned as our Lunar New Year or Brazil's Carnival. As its name suggests, water fights are a huge part of the celebration. With this year’s Songkran just around the corner, Fever Travel has gathered 5 “survival tips” to help you fully enjoy this joyful festival.
Photo by Madeleine Deaton
1) Use public transportation
Bangkok’s traffic congestion is usually quite serious, and it gets even worse during the Songkran Festival. Moreover, since the festival coincides with the traditional Thai New Year, many taxi drivers choose to return to their hometowns, making it harder to find a taxi. While there might be slightly more tuk-tuks available, riding one during Songkran is definitely high-risk—your chances of getting soaked are very high.
2) Bring adequate waterproof gear and avoid dressing up too glamorously
Since it’s the Songkran Festival, getting splashed is inevitable, so don’t get upset about getting wet. To fully enjoy the festivities, skip the fancy outfits and opt for something light and casual instead—you may want to bring an extra set of clothes to change into if needed. At the same time, make sure you’re equipped with sufficient waterproof gear. You can buy waterproof bags at local convenience stores to store items like your phone and wallet. For added peace of mind, you can hang the bag around your neck, but keep an eye on your belongings due to the crowds. As for cameras, it’s better to bring a compact one; otherwise, one splash from a bucket of water could ruin your gear.
3) Beware of having your “weapons” confiscated
If a thermos flask can be mistaken for a listening device, then water guns are definitely considered dangerous weapons. That’s why Thailand’s BTS and MRT systems sometimes have rules against bringing “weapons” onboard, and Songkran is no exception. If you buy a water gun in advance, it might get confiscated before you even board. So, if you want to join the water fights, it’s best to buy your gear on-site—that way, you’ll be absolutely safe!
4) Don’t miss the street food trucks and spicy rice salad with cold noodles
During the Songkran Festival, many food trucks take to the streets. These mobile street food vendors are definitely worth a try. One standout is the Khao truck, serving spicy rice salad with cold noodles. Since Songkran falls during the traditional Thai New Year and also marks the start of summer, many local restaurants and food trucks offer this traditional dish called Khao. It’s made with cold rice served with ice water, pickled vegetables, and other chilled ingredients. Whether it’s delicious or not is secondary—embrace the local culture and give it a try!
5) Share blessings
After all, Songkran is Thailand’s traditional New Year, so why not learn a few Thai phrases to send your blessings to the locals? You can say: Sawasdee Pee Mai (which means Happy New Year).
During the Songkran Festival, various cities across Thailand host celebratory events, but Khao San Road in Bangkok attracts the most tourists. Known as a backpacker’s paradise, Khao San Road is a hub of cheap accommodations, street food, and art, and it’s also very close to the Grand Palace (Grand Palace / #0#!！+2#2 '1), making it a favorite among travelers. More travel info about Khao San Road: http://www.dcfever.com/travel/attraction.php?id=11253
Fever Travel has also curated nearly 30 popular and must-visit attractions in Thailand.
http://www.dcfever.com/travel/world.php?id=1014