Everything you need to know about Thailand’s Songkran Festival
Also known as the Water Splashing Festival, the celebration marks the start of the Buddhist New Year
Chinese New Year is celebrated the world over: from a 23-day festival in the country itself, to fireworks in Las Vegas and a parade through London’s Trafalgar Square.
But little is said about Songkran – the equally exciting Thai equivalent. Aquaphobes, avert your attention now…
What is Songkran?
Songkran – also known as the Water Splashing Festival – is a celebration to mark the start of the Buddhist New Year. Buddha images are bathed, and younger Thais show respect to monks and elders by sprinkled water over their hands.
Parades, dancing and folk entertainment mark the lunar change too, although getting wet is what Songkran is most famed for.
The festival is an all-out water war, with unsuspecting victims and eager participants being blasted by high powered super-soakers.
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Why is Songkran so special?
Songkran is the epitome of fun. In a nutshell: vast quantities of water are stored in whatever vessels take your fancy (squirt guns, buckets and water balloons are all acceptable), before being used to saturate your nearest and dearest.
It’s a welcome reprieve from the intense heat but has a serious side too, the original focus being on enriching religious intentions and building family bonds.
When and where can I join in?
Songkran runs between 13 and 15 April, and festivities can be found countrywide.
What else should I do in Thailand in April?
Thailand is moving from high season into hot season. Some services are reduced and it can be soul-sappingly muggy so avoid densely populated areas.
Instead, head north – it’s cooler in the highlands. Alternatively, cool off on the islands and beaches in the south: dive off Ko Tao, climb in Krabi, kayak around Phuket or hang in a hammock wherever you like.
