5 Cool Facts About Thailand New Year's Songkran Festival

The biggest event on the Thai calendar, Songkran is all about making a fresh start and washing away bad luck from the past year. However, it’s also an incredible time to experience some of the country’s other traditions and customs.

One of the most famous is the epic water fights that take place nationwide, with buckets and hoses used to drench each other. But it’s important to know how to play the game respectfully!

1. Water over Buddha

In recent years, Songkran has become known for massive water fights involving thousands of people in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. But the holiday has ancient roots, and it's filled with unique cultural traditions.

Traditionally, the first day of Songkran focuses on honoring elders and family members by pouring water over their hands. It's a sign of respect and reverence, rather than an aggressive act of vandalism as it is today.

While the water fights are a fun and vibrant aspect of Songkran, it's also important to remember that the water symbolises renewal and is at the heart of the holiday. This is why UNESCO added the festival to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.

Amidst all the splashing and soaking, there is still time for Thais to spend quality time with family and strengthen familial bonds. Many visit temples to pay respect to their ancestors and to offer alms offerings to monks. It's also a tradition to sprinkle flower pedals and perfumed water over Buddha statues.

In addition to throwing buckets of water, revelers love smearing each other with 'din sor pong,' a limestone-derived cooling talcum powder paste. It's a traditional way to 'bless' friends and can be used to clean the face or as a cheeky way to flirt! You might get a few dirty looks for this, but it's all in good fun.

2. Giving with love

The Songkran festival is a time to show the people you love how much you care. This is especially true for families. During Songkran, it is not uncommon to find people visiting their parents or other relatives for dinner and spending time with them. For many Thais, it is also a time to pay respects to the elders who have passed on.

During the festival, Thais show their love by pouring water over Buddha statues, on young and old alike, and on temple monks. This is a sign of respect and also to wash away any bad luck from the previous year. In addition, people give gifts to their family and friends, and this is a time of great happiness for the Thais.

This year, the celebrations will last from April 13 to 15, but in some cities, they may extend for a week or more. The festival is a great way to escape the summer heat and get soaked in fun.

Street parties are held in many cities, with live music, dancing, and parades. Many people dress in traditional Thai attire, including brightly-colored shirts and pants called sarongs, which showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage. It is a good idea to bring a waterproof bag with a change of clothes and a towel in case you get wet during the festivities. Also, be sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

3. Zodiac roots

While water splashing is what Songkran has become famous for – with water guns of all shapes and sizes filling the shelves of shops all over the country – there is a deeper significance to this festival that Thais hold dear. Taking place during the hottest period of the year, it is also a time for family and community reunification. Many family members who have moved away often travel back home to celebrate with their loved ones and pay reverence to their ancestors.

UNESCO has recognized the importance of Songkran as a cultural festival, adding it to their Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2023. It notes that the name of the festival, derived from the Sanskrit word samkranti, refers to the sun's annual passing into the Aries constellation, the zodiac's first sign, which marks the traditional start of the new year. The act of pouring water is a significant part of the festival, symbolizing cleansing, reverence and good fortune.

While traditions vary across the country, Thammasat University's Pipad says two main rituals are still widely carried out during Songkran today. On the first day, on April 13, "people, particularly elderly people, visit temples to sprinkle water on Buddha images" — known as Song Nam Phra. Meanwhile, the northern city of Chiang Mai has a unique tradition where people bring bags of sand to their local temple and pour it on a Buddha image, symbolizing the returning of the rainy season.

4. From Chaweng to Surin Beach

In addition to honoring family traditions, religious practices and appreciating elders, Songkran is also a huge time for fun. Water is the main ingredient in this jubilant celebration, with buckets and squirt guns aplenty. Locals and tourists alike take to the streets in Thailand’s hottest month of the year to playfully splash each other.

Pipad Krajaejun, a history lecturer at Bangkok's Thammasat University, tells CNN Travel that it’s hard to pin down exactly when the water fights became such a vital part of Songkran. But he says old photos of the festival show people playing with water in villages.

The water is believed to wash away sins from the past and signify renewal and a new beginning. It’s also a time to give gifts, including food, drinks, flowers and clothing, to show respect for family members.

The biggest party takes place in Phuket, where the island is overrun with tourists and locals alike. Expect a lot of commotion around the main strip, Bangla Road, where bars and clubs are open to all. Amidst the chaos, the highlight is a massive street party where trucks dump up to 44 gallons of water over revelers. It’s the best place to experience Songkran in Thailand if you’re looking for a fun and crazy vibe. You can also enjoy cultural performances and parades at Sanam Luang. And don’t forget to eat plenty of Thai dishes such as Som Tum (spicy papaya salad), Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, which are popular during this festive period.

5. Families welcome

The traditional New Year, Songkran, is celebrated from April 13-15 every year. It marks the Sun’s transition from Pisces to Aries, and is traditionally a time for renewal. Families visit temples and pour water over Buddha statues to wash away sins.

However, these days, it’s mostly a day of revelry and water fights. Everybody gets involved – young and old, Thai and foreigner alike. It’s a free-for-all as people hurl buckets, garbage pails and hoses of all sizes to drench each other. Some even use ice cold water for that extra boost! And as the festival takes place during the hottest month of the year, it’s really refreshing and fun.

Besides the water-throwing, the festival also involves other activities such as spring cleaning, visiting elders and giving offerings to monks. It’s also a chance for families to come together, with emphasis placed on younger members of the family washing their parents’ hands in a ritual called Rot Nam Dam Hua. Families also build sand chedis at their local temple to mark the occasion.

The celebrations are spirited and lively, but you should respect other people’s feelings and property, particularly when splashing. Keep in mind that monks and elderly people are especially sensitive to being drenched, and that it’s inappropriate to throw water at minors. Keep your electronics dry, dress in quick-dry clothing, and be safe at all times.

Conclusion

When it comes to Thailand New Year's Songkran Festival, there's no denying that this is one of the most fun and unique festivals in Asia. It's no wonder that this water-fueled celebration has become a hit among travelers, with many people specifically planning their travels around the annual festivities.

Aside from being a great time to get completely soaked, Songkran is also a day for family and friends. It's a chance for family members who live away to come back home and spend some quality time with their loved ones. Families also pay respects to their elders as part of this unifying tradition.

In addition, locals in northern Thailand take a unique approach to Songkran by bringing bags of sand to their local temple and returning the sand that they have carried on their feet throughout the past year. The sand is then sculpted into small pagodas or stupas and decorated with colorful flags. TakeMeTour Tip: It's important to remember that it's still summer during Songkran, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen and stay hydrated! It's also a good idea to pack a towel and change of clothes in a dry bag.

Officially, Songkran begins on the 13th of April and ends on the 15th (the Thai New Year). However, it's common for the celebrations to last a week or more, especially in the cities.