The Thai Songkran Festival is as important to Thais as New Year’s is to us — a festive occasion filled with blessings and wishes for the year ahead. Every year, people from all over the world gather to celebrate this internationally renowned Thai celebration. But amid the fun, participants should also be mindful of certain things to avoid violating local taboos. Today, in addition to sharing the 2019 Songkran dates, we’ll also tell you about its meaning and the finer details.
The Meaning of Songkran
The Thai Songkran Festival is a celebration of the New Year and a time for Thais to pray for good fortune in the coming year — much like how we celebrate our own New Year. In fact, besides Thailand, other countries in the Indochina region such as Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia also observe it. As Buddhism is Thailand’s national religion, the festival is also known as Songkran (from the Sanskrit word meaning the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Aries, or the spring equinox), marking the beginning of a new year.
2019 Thai Songkran Festival Dates
★ Recommended Itineraries: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pattaya
Top Hotspots for Songkran Celebrations Across Thailand
Chiang Mai
# Ancient City Walls and Moat
Water fights take place around the city walls, with Tha Phae Gate (east gate) and Chang Puek Gate (north gate) being the most lively spots.
Transportation:As the ancient city of Chiang Mai is quite compact, it’s generally recommended to take a tuk-tuk from your hotel.
#Central Festival Chiangmai
Central Festival Chiang Mai is one of the largest shopping malls in northern Thailand, and its plaza becomes extremely crowded during Songkran, making it another hotspot.
Transportation:Take the shuttle bus from the ancient city to the mall (operating from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM)
Bangkok
# Khao San RoadKhao Shan Road
Khao San Road is known as a backpacker paradise, packed with hostels, massage parlors, and bars, and is where many Western tourists gather. During Songkran, it gets incredibly crowded — if you’re looking for the most intense water battle experience, this is the place to be.
Transportation:Take the Bangkok Skytrain to Ratchathewi Station, then transfer to a taxi to get near Khao San Road. Traffic control is enforced during the festival.
# Silom RoadSilom Road
Silom Road hosts a weekend market every Sunday. The famous Sala Daeng Night Market is also nearby. Splashing water in the morning and strolling through the night market in the evening to fill your belly—what happiness!
Transportation:Take the Bangkok MRT to Silom Station or the Skytrain to Sala Daeng Station.
# Royal PlazaThe Royal Plaza
Bangkok’s Royal Plaza is famous for the Democracy Monument, which was built to commemorate the birth of Thailand’s first constitutional monarchy. During the festival, large crowds gather around the monument.
Transportation:Take the Skytrain to Victory Monument Station.
# Siam SquareSiam Square
Siam Square is one of Thailand’s must-visit department store hubs. During the Songkran Festival, the square features performances by artists and various foam machines, making it a gathering spot for young people.
Transportation:Take the Skytrain to Siam Station.
★ Recommended Attractions: ASIATIQUE Riverfront Night Market, ERAWAN Shrine, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, The Vana Nava H2O Water Jungle, and the European-style Chocolate Ville
Ayutthaya
# Ayutthaya Ancient City Outskirts
Ayutthaya is located north of Bangkok. It consists of many ancient temples and city walls, some of which are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Be mindful to remove your shoes and dress modestly when entering temples.
Transportation:Take the Bangkok MRT to Hua Lamphong Station, then from the Hua Lamphong Railway Station exit, take a train to Ayutthaya Railway Station and transfer to a tuk-tuk to reach the ancient city.
Pattaya
# Beach Road
Believe us, you’ll definitely get soaked from the beach all the way to the street. There will be countless foam machines on the street, and with the music from nearby shops, it feels like an outdoor EDM party—the atmosphere is super lively!
Transportation:Due to road closures during the festival, you can only take a songthaew to the outskirts and then walk to Beach Road.
★ Recommended Attractions: Floating Market Pattaya, Rome’s Colosseum Cabaret Show, Emerald Bay Club, Khao Chee Chan (Buddha Mountain), and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Songkran Festival Taboos
Before joining the crazy water fights, there are some taboos you should know—otherwise, your fun might turn into trouble, ranging from fines to even arrest.
Clothing must not be revealing
There’s no official definition of what counts as “revealing,” but wearing just a bikini or going topless is absolutely not allowed. Sleeveless tops are also generally considered inappropriate under Thailand’s standards for festival attire.
No sexy dancing
The main party areas will definitely have people from all over the world, and nearby vendors might play music—but don’t mistake it for an outdoor nightclub. Sexy moves could get you into trouble.
High-pressure water guns are banned
Every year, the Thai government urges everyone not to go overboard. In such a densely crowded celebration, even if you think you’ve judged the distance well, it’s easy to accidentally injure someone who suddenly appears—so they’re prohibited.
No alcohol allowed
If you’re hoping to drink and party while enjoying Songkran, sorry to burst your bubble—the Thai government has rules in place to prevent unnecessary issues, and alcohol sales are not permitted around the main festival streets.
Don’t use just any water
Not all water is suitable for splashing. Throwing dirty water is not only highly disrespectful to local culture but can also result in fines.
Songkran clothing tips
Clothes + shoes
For Songkran, it’s recommended to wearlightweight, quick-dryingclothes, because most Songkran venues have traffic controls, and people usually take public transport. April is the hot season, with temperatures often hovering around 40°C, so subway air conditioning tends to be very strong. If your clothes don’t dry quickly, the sudden temperature changes can easily lead to catching a cold. As for shoes, it’s best to wear waterproofclosed-toe shoes—flip-flops are slippery, and sandals leave your feet vulnerable to being stepped on in the crowd.
*Quick reminder:Parents with young children might want to pack extra clothes for them—it’s a safer bet.
Must-have accessories
# Glasses / Goggles:
Mainly to keep water out of your eyes, since the water quality can be questionable—conjunctivitis could easily be a risk.
# Neck-mounted sealed waterproof pouch:
Useful for storing personal items that can’t get wet, like your phone, keys, and metro cards.
?# Drawstring waterproof bag:
While subway stations may have lockers, Songkran’s massive crowds make it hard to secure one. It’s wise to buy a side-slung waterproof bag either before your trip or at a local mall to carry your belongings.
* A little reminder:Because crowded areas are also hotspots for pickpockets, it’s recommended that you lock important documents such as your passport and ID in your hotel for safety.
#5Thai baht in change
Don’t expect to fill up your water bottles at your accommodation before heading out—transport staff will ask you to empty them before boarding public transit. You’ll have to fill up at the event venue, where nearby vendors provide water tanks. It costs 5 baht per fill-up, and they usually don’t give change, so remember to prepare small bills in advance!
Songkran is more than just water splashing
To kids, Songkran might just seem like a fun water gun battle, but splashing water actually carries the meaning of cleansing both the body and spirit—sometimes talcum powder is even added to the water. Aside from the water fights, locals alsobathe the Buddhaby first offering the statue flowers and incense, then pouring traditional scented water over it.
* A little reminder:Please refrain from splashing those who are 65 years or older and children under 2—it’s considered impolite!
What is the white paste being smeared?
You might have seen a type of white paste being applied during the festivities—it’s actually chalk powder. Smearing it on someone is meant to wash away the bad luck of the past year and symbolizes blessing them with good fortune. However, be aware that in recent years, due to reports of harassment, Thai authorities have banned the use of chalk paste in high-traffic areas like Khao San Road to prevent it from being used as an excuse for inappropriate behavior.
The Thai Songkran Festival is a joyous and blessed holiday. Next spring, why not experience this Thai New Year with family or friends? Start the new year on a positive note and bid farewell to the past!
By Jess Han | Tripresso Travel Cafe Editorial Team
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