A Handy Guide to Celebrating Songkran in Thailand - Get Ready to Get Soaked in Style!

If you haven’t heard about Songkran, it’s high time you do, because it’s a Thai festival you should definitely experience firsthand. To help you get started, here’s a quick and easy-to-read guide on this popular cultural event that is centred around new beginnings, purification, and water!

A New Year Begins… in April!

Forget 1st January, Thailand kicks off its traditional New Year or Songkran from the 13th to 15th April (though festivities can last even longer). It is a time for family reunions, temple visits, and traditional water-pouring ceremonies symbolising purification and fresh starts. Of course, this idea of “washing away the past” has evolved into something more epic, but more on that in a bit!

Where to Stay in Bangkok

While Songkran is celebrated throughout Thailand, the capital, Bangkok, is one of the best places to experience it, but where you stay matters. Hotels in Khaosan will put you at the heart of the action, with lively parties, endless splashing (you must be really curious now!), and fun nightlife. Properties like Tinidee Trendy Bangkok Khaosan make an ideal choice and what’s more, you can easily enjoy events like the SIAM Songkran Music Festival too.

Water Fights Take Centre Stage

And now, for the main event… Songkran’s legendary water fights! The streets across Bangkok are packed with people armed with water guns, bowls, buckets, and even hoses, all ready for some friendly dousing. Khao San Road and Silom are prime battlegrounds where you will get drenched and there’s no escape! But don’t worry, you can fight back too. After all, who doesn’t love an all-out water war?

Don’t Forget These 5 Essential Tips

• Wear comfy clothes (quick-dry or a light raincoat) because you will get soaked.
• Protect your eyes. Water in the face is fun, but stinging eyes? Not so much!
• Keep your valuables dry in a waterproof bag.
• Avoid splashing monks, the elderly, and small kids.
• Between water battles, visit temples and enjoy cultural events for a deeper appreciation of Songkran.