Songkran is absolutely the most exciting holiday in Thailand.
Songkran is a Thai holiday celebrating the Buddhist New Year and with the vast majority of the population practicing Buddhism, it is one of the biggest festivals in Thailand! It started off as a traditional religious ritual in the 13th century to purify oneself by washing away any sins from the year before. Now, it has escalated into the world’s largest water fight! During the Songkran Festival, the whole country gets wet and wild with crazy water fights in the middle of the city!
If you want to fully enjoy the Songkran Festival in Bangkok, make sure you read on! 😄
1. Songkran Festival Overview
Where: Almost all provinces of Thailand
When: Every year from April 13th to 15th
What to do:
- Water fights: No matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will get soaked!
- Merit-making: Visit temples and experience traditional Buddhism Songkran rituals. (e.g. Carry sand to temples and form sand pagodas, watch bathing rites of Buddha images)
2. What to prepare for Songkran in Bangkok
What to Bring 🔫
– Water pistols and Super Soakers (They will be on sale everywhere!)
– Extra clothing to change into afterward (Many street vendors for clothes will be closed ☹️)
– Waterproof case for your phone, camera, and bags!
– Sunglasses (No too pricey as they will be prone to damage)
– Cold medicine (You might catch a cold as you will be wet all day & night)
Keep in Mind!
– Learn the phrase “Sawadee Pee Mai!” which means a Happy New Year in Thai.
– There’s no way to avoid getting wet. Just accept it and have fun! 😊
– However, if you want to stay dry, you can stay inside.
– You might get daubed in a grey-white lime paste. It stings if it gets in your eyes, so be sure to wear sunglasses!
– Monks are highly respected in Thailand, do now throw water at them.
3. How to enjoy Songkran in Bangkok
1) Go to the best spots for water flight in Bangkok.
– Khao San Road: This historical center of the tourist area transforms into a water battleground during the Songkran period. Not only travelers but many locals gather here to celebrate!
– Silom: The most popular Songkran spot for Thais. The main highlight of this area is spotting the red fire trucks with powerful water hoses.
– Siam Square: There are always various events and EDM festivals during Songkran which make you want to dance and water fight at the same time!
– Royal City Avenue (RCA): If you love partying, RCA is the place to go during Songkran at night! It offers the best experience by combining clubbing and water fights together!
2) Hop onto a tuk-tuk for the ultimate water battle!
It is a great way to sight-see around the city as well as get into a water fight at the same time. However, if you get stuck in traffic, you just might become a sitting duck! But that’s all part of the fun! 😂
☞ Book a night tour with tuk-tuk and enjoy Bangkok’s nightlife too! ☜
3) Head to the next-level Songkran festivities!
If the usual water fight doesn’t seem at all enough for you, head over to these Songkran parties which are on a whole new level!
① Water activities in Bangkok
Bangkok Siam Amazing Park: The largest recreational complex in Bangkok with an amusement park as well as a water park!
Flow House Bangkok: Bangkok’s only urban beach club with a wave riding machine, FlowRider.
Pororo Aquapark Bangkok: The first-ever Pororo-themed water park in the world!
☞ See more activities in Bangkok ☜
② Water parks in Pattaya
If you want to take the Songkran festivities to the next level, consider heading to these water parks. Pattaya is home to world-class water parks, and they are some of the coolest places to be at during Songkran, as they turn into huge pool parties.
Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark Pattaya The world’s first cartoon network themed water park.
Ramayana Waterpark Pattaya: The newest and biggest water park in Thailand.
If you want to know which water park will suit you better, also read: Pattaya Water Parks – Ramayana vs Cartoon Network
4. What to do after Songkran in Bangkok
Songkran is undoubtedly the biggest festival in Thailand, and the whole country becomes a playground for water fights. But wouldn’t it be nice if you could explore more of Bangkok whilst enjoying Songkran Festival? There are plenty of attractions and sightseeing tours here in Bangkok.
Most popular activities in Bangkok:
King Power Mahanakhon Glass Skywalk & Observation
Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise
Take a rest after the big water fight:
Siam Niramit Show Bangkok Discount Ticket
Bangkok Banyan Tree Spa Discount Ticket
☞ See more activities in Bangkok ☜
5. Looking for Songkran action beyond Bangkok?
Don’t be mistaken, Bangkok isn’t the only place where all the Songkran action takes place. As we mentioned before, most of the regions in Thailand celebrate Songkran! Many other regions such as Pattaya, Phuket**, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui celebrate this festive holiday too. So, don’t worry about missing out on the fun just because you’re not headed towards Bangkok!
Chiang Mai and Koh Samui are said to have some of the largest Songkran celebrations. So, if you’re heading there this April, don’t miss out on all this splashing fun! 💦
**Luggage storage for Phuket is available here!
Doesn’t this get you pumped up for the Songkran Festival this year? We’ll soon be releasing several promos you can’t wait to get your hands on in time for Songkran!
So, make sure to keep tabs on any Songkran promos by visiting Trazy.com, Asia’s #1 Travel Shop!
Photo Credits
Wyndham Hllis, Ben Reeves via flickr
P4137820 via photopin (license)
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas via Wikimedia Commons
Takeaway via Wikimedia Commons
