Thailand Songkran Festival 2024 | Dates, customs, schedule and venue

The summer of 2024 is here, so we have to plan to have some fun~ The Thai Water Splashing Festival can be said to be the most famous traditional celebration in Thailand. It is joyful, lively and interesting. You can enjoy splashing water with strangers on the street and collect good luck.

When is the Thai Water Splashing Festival in 2024? How to participate in the Thai Water Splashing Festival? Are there any taboos of the Water Splashing Festival that you need to know first? Klook has sorted them out for you!



What is Songkran?

Songkran, also known as Songkran, means the spring equinox, which marks the beginning of a new year. Therefore, Thai people celebrate the new year and pray for a safe and smooth new year by celebrating the new year with Songkran. In Thailand, people splash water on each other during the Songkran Festival. Songkran is one of the most important traditional cultures in Thailand, so it attracts many foreign Tourists to make pilgrimages.



Date of Thailand's Songkran Festival in 2024

Thailand's Songkran Festival is usually held from April 13th to 15th every year. Although the dates in various parts of Thailand will change slightly due to the solar terms, in principle, these three days are still the main dates. The 2024 Thailand Songkran Festival will also be held from April 13th to 15th, 2024.



Thailand's Songkran Festival Customs

Thailand's Songkran Festival is not only held in Bangkok, but also in other parts of Thailand. Although the most famous activity is to splash water on each other to bless each other, splashing water is just one of the activities to celebrate the New Year in Thailand! Next, I will introduce other Thai Songkran Festival customs:

01 Bathing the Buddha

Thailand is a very devout Buddhist country, so during the New Year, which is the Songkran Festival, a "bathing Buddha" ceremony is held. "Bathing the Buddha" is divided into "bathing the Buddha statue" and "bathing the monk". Bathing the Buddha statue is to wash the Buddha statue with fragrant clean water, while bathing the monk is to use a silver basin to hold clean water and sprinkle it on the monk's hands or body to show respect.

02 Water Offering Ceremony

The "water offering ceremony" is similar to the "bathing the monk", but the target is the elders in the family. It is usually held on April 14, Thailand's Family Day. The younger generation will use a basin to hold clean water and sprinkle it on the hands of the elders to pray for their health and longevity.

03 Building a sand tower

During the Songkran Festival, Thais will go to temples to build sand towers and insert flags, incense, flowers, etc. on the sand towers to pray for blessings. If you want to experience Thailand's Songkran Festival, the easiest way is to go to the lively areas. There will be people preparing water guns and buckets along the way. It's hard not to get soaked!



Where to go for the Songkran Festival? Thailand’s Water Splashing Festival Areas

Khao San Road, Bangkok
Khao San Road in Bangkok is the gathering place for many youth hostels, massages, and bars. It is also the place where most young people gather. During the Songkran Festival, there are super many foreigners and Thais on Khaosan Road who will splash water on each other. It can be said to be the most intense water splashing area in Bangkok.

Chiang Mai
If you want to spend the Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai, you must go to the Old Town. The fierce water splashing battle is the most lively at the East Gate Thapae Gate and the North Gate Chang Phuek Gate. There are often trucks full of people splashing water on pedestrians!

It is recommended to live in the Old Town, which is like the center of Chiang Mai. Not only is it convenient to go to various places, but the old town is very atmospheric at night. Many people also like to live in Nimman Road in the northwest, which is a gathering place for hipster shops and cafes, shopping and massage!

Ayutthaya
The Songkran Festival in Ayutthaya, a suburb of Bangkok, is relatively peaceful. People spray water on elephants to bless each other, perform traditional Buddha bathing and water offering ceremonies, wear traditional costumes and participate in traditional parades.

Pattaya Beach Street
Pattaya, about a 3-hour drive from Bangkok, is usually a popular water resort. During the Songkran Festival, Pattaya Beach Street is even more lively. The powerful music of the merchants on the street and the foam machines make it like a large electronic music party. It's super exciting!



Things to note when participating in the Songkran Festival

1. Do not wear revealing clothes: After all, Thailand is a Buddhist country, so it is relatively conservative. Wearing only a bikini or being topless is not allowed.

2. High-pressure water guns are prohibited: Since there are many people participating in the Songkran Festival, high-pressure water guns may hurt people around, so they are prohibited.

3. Water guns can only be filled with clean water: Please be polite and respect Thai traditional culture. Water guns cannot be filled with dirty water.

4. Wear light clothes that are easy to dry, and put your mobile phone and valuables in a waterproof bag. Wearing goggles may make you more happy.