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Every year in April, when the weather is pleasant, Thai people come together to celebrate Songkran – the traditional New Year festival. This is the biggest holiday of the year, and you can expect a wide range of lively activities. The Land of Smiles will surely leave you with unforgettable memories. In this article, Asia King Travel would like to introduce the best places to celebrate Songkran in Thailand.
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, celebrated on the first day of the Buddhist calendar (around mid-April in the Gregorian calendar). This is a time when Thai people show their respect to Buddha, clean their homes, and gently pour water over the hands of the elderly as a sign of reverence.
Songkran is the biggest and most important of Thai people. Photo: TAT Newsroom
During the festival, there are many parades and beauty contests held across the country. People also prepare traditional dishes and wear colorful outfits. Most notably, the most anticipated activity is the water fight, where people splash water on each other using buckets, water guns, and balloons. The more water you get splashed with, the more luck and blessings you are believed to receive.
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The capital of Thailand must not be missed on the list. Because the festival lasts longer than 3 days like before, the entire city transforms into a giant playground where locals and tourists join together to splash, dance, and welcome the new year with joy and laughter.
Bangkok has the biggest water fight of all. Entire streets turn into battlegrounds where locals and tourists splash water on each other. People may not recognize each other, but they do notice if someone is still dry, and that person will definitely get soaked with lots of water!
Besides water, you can enjoy a foam party! Photo: Reuters
One of the most famous places to experience Songkran in Bangkok is Khao San Road, where the atmosphere is lively and chaotic. The street will be packed with people and travelers, all armed with water guns and ready for battle. Music blares from every corner, people dance in the streets, and water flies through the air from every direction. If you’re looking for a non-stop party and don’t mind getting drenched, Khao San is the place to be.
Another major hotspot is Silom Road, which hosts one of the largest and longest water fights in the city. Even fire trucks sometimes join in to spray massive jets of water down the street. Easily accessible by BTS Skytrain at Sala Daeng Station, Silom is a great place to start the celebrations.
Besides the water fights, you can also enjoy music party days and nights. Royal City Avenue (RCA) hosts big clubbing events and DJ performances, blending Songkran’s water fun with top electronic music and dance parties. Or else, temples (Wat) bring a deep cultural side. Many people visit temples to pour water over Buddha statues as a way to seek blessings and wash away bad luck.
Chiang Mai is often said to hold the biggest and most exciting celebration of the Thai New Year. If you’re looking for a place to fully immerse in the Songkran spirit, Chiang Mai is the place that can balance between traditional customs and parties.
The old city is known for preserving traditional rituals and cultural practices. Early on the first day, people visit temples to symbolize purification and good fortune for the new year. One of the most beautiful traditions is Rod Nam Dam Hua, where younger people pour fragrant water over the hands of elders to pay respect and receive blessings in return. You’ll also find cultural displays along Tha Phae Gate and the main streets.
People enjoy water fight near Ping River. Photo: The Blonds Travel
After the traditional rituals, it’s time for endless fun! Locals and tourists gather along the moat, Ping River’s bridges, and in the streets, using everything from small water guns to giant buckets to splash each other. Pick-up trucks loaded with people and water barrels move slowly around the city, drenching everyone in their path. Once you're in the zone, there’s no way to stay dry.
Not crowded as Bangkok but Khon Kaen still holds the most festive Songkran in the Isan (northeastern) region. It offers a more authentic and local experience. What makes Khon Kaen’s Songkran special is that it feels community-driven, with Mor Lam playing everywhere.
The heart of the festivities in Khon Kaen takes place along Khao Niew Road (Sticky Rice Road). Unlike the crazy crowds of Khao San Road, here you’ll find a more open space to enjoy but still with all the wild energy you expect from Songkran. Explore the verdant banks of Kaen Nakhon Lake for a change of pace. There, you can enjoy folk performances and a culinary festival with mouthwatering treats.
Visit Khon Kaen for traditional experiences. Photo:Unsplash
Of course, traditional aspects are alive and well in Khon Kaen. Songkran’s customs happen in temples around the city. Wat Nong Wang is recommended for tourists, it’s the city’s biggest temple, also famous for its stunning 9-story architecture.
If you just want joy than the ceremonies, beaches in the south are where to go. Phuket with beaches nearby, so you can easily mix water fun with sun and sand.
The main action during Songkran in Phuket takes place in Patong Beach, especially along Bangla Road. Music pumps from the bars and clubs, and people dance in the streets, soaked from head to toe. The party atmosphere in Patong is non-stop, loud, and full of energy.
Phuket has the most vibrant Songkran festival. Photo: BYD Lofts
Besides Patong, other towns also join in the celebration, though they tend to be a bit more relaxed and family-friendly compared to the madness of Bangla Road. In Phuket Town, you can experience a more local and cultural side. Here, people still engage in gentle water sprinkling as a symbol of cleansing and blessings, rather than full-on water battles.
Since Phuket is already a top tourist destination, it’s smart to book your hotel or resort in advance if you plan to be there for Songkran. And most importantly, remember to embrace the fun and friendly spirit of the festival.
While other places attract tourists for their massive and sometimes overwhelming Songkran parties, Koh Samui has a more relaxed yet still energetic beach vibe. The heart of the action is centered around Chaweng Beach, the island’s liveliest area. Music blares from beach bars and restaurants, and you’ll find everyone dancing and laughing as they splash each other.
The locals won’t hesitate to shoot water guns at tourists. Photo: Reuters
Lamai Beach is slightly more laid-back but still festive atmosphere. The water fights are just as intense, though perhaps not as wild as Chaweng. Despite all the fun on beaches, there are also meaningful cultural activities. Some resorts and local communities may also organize small parades, cultural shows, or sand pagoda buildings, giving visitors a chance to experience the more traditional side of the festival.
Here are the best places to celebrate Songkran, each one has a different taste for you to find the perfect spot. But that’s not all, the festival takes place vibrantly across the country, and many cities and provinces also hold great events. Thailand invites you to visit at this time of year, so why not contact Asia King Travel for unforgettable moments?
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