In this article you will discover how we celebrate New Year in Thailand, what you need to know about this festival and the best places to go.
What is Songkran festival?
Songkran is the Thai New Year holiday. It finds its origins from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to move’ or ‘pass into’ and marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. This national event is very symbolic in Thailand and constitutes the purging of all ills and misfortune of the past year.
It is celebrated each year from the 13th to the 15th of April.
Did you know?
There is a 543 years difference between the Buddhist calendar and the Gregorian calendar (our actual one). This year Thailand will be celebrating the year 2565 for Songkran.”
How do Thaï people celebrate Songkran ?
Songkran is observed in all the Kingdom of Thailand, but traditions are slightly different, depending on the region. One of a long-established common tradition is to clean the house and get dress up in colourful or traditional clothing when Songkran approaches.
Thaï Buddhists start the celebrations by visiting temples where water is poured on Buddha images and on the hands of elderly monks as a mark of blessing for longevity, happiness and prosperity in life. As a sign of respect, they will also offer food to the monks before offering a requiem to their ancestors.
In the evening, sand pagodas are built inside the temple and decorated with colourful flowers and flags. This sand offering reflects an ancient belief that particles of sand are inadvertently carried away from the temple as visitors pass by. By doing so, Thaï Buddhists are rebalancing their blessings and merit are earned.
There are so many other ways to pay merit during these festivities such as:
Tying blessed strings
You may have someone coming to you to tie a blessed string to your wrists while whispering a short blessing. Make a wish and keep it until it breaks or falls off on its own!
Releasing animals
Other forms of merit include releasing animals like birds and fish. Nowadays, people also release other kinds of animals such as buffaloes and cows.
Religious processions
Many parades will take place all around the Kingdom featuring impressive traditional dancing, elephants and music show that will often be rhythming the procession of a shining Buddha.
Last but not least, the most looking-forward part of the festival is the gigantic water splashing that is taking place everywhere throughout the country.
Songkran, the water festival
The Songkran tradition is to sprinkle water on people on the streets while dancing to musical tunes. Groups of people, friends and strangers alike, get in line and wait for their potential victims at street corners with buckets of water, water guns, water pipes… ready to splash at an ‘unsuspecting’ passer-by. Many parties and fun events are organised for this day all around big cities and you are sure to have fun almost anywhere you are going.
Along with throwing water, a few local people may gently brush white paste on your cheeks and forehead. Symbolically, it beats off bad luck.
Since April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand, you will enjoy being soaked wet on Songkran.
Everyone can and will get involved in the celebrations. You are now prepared for what you can expect from this water festival throughout the country. You are guaranteed to end up soaked but you’ll have lots of fun in the process!
If you are planning to participate in the festival, you must ask yourself: where is the best place to enjoy the best of this festival?
Where to go for Songkran ?
Bangkok
Explore Songkran at its liveliest in Bangkok. It is a blast to be in the capital for Songkran, when major streets like Khao San and Silom are closed to traffic and transformed into splashing battle zones. Grab a water gun – put your phone and all your belongings in a waterproof bag and enjoy one of the most highly anticipated festivities of the year!
Nong Khai
In this region of Northern Thailand, situated on the Lao border, you will experience Songkran’s sacred side. Thai people there celebrate this event by carrying the century-old Phra Sai Buddha statue through the streets so locals can pay their respects and seek blessings by splashing it with water.
Chiang Mai
Songkran in Chiang Mai is soaked in history and tradition, highlighted by a procession bearing the Phra, shining Buddha statue, across the city. Visitors can join the parade and participate in water battles across town.
Hat Yai
Let’s have a look to Southern Thailand, in this little town Songkran light up the night, as revellers join the midnight parade. A beauty contest, traditional dancing and splashing add to the fun atmosphere.
Nakhon Si Thammarat
The Nang Dan parade reflects Hindu influences in this southern Province. The sacred ceremony pays tribute to the Hindu God Shiva and its visit on Earth. The sacred atmosphere turns astonishing when young brahmins clamber onto the giant swing and reach fearsome heights as they try to grab bags of coins hung from a nearby tree.
Our tips to enjoy the best of Thailand festival
As you have probably understood you will get wet, very wet, so leave your valuable items and electronics at your hotel.
Expect a multitude of people dancing and drinking in the streets, but don’t misbehave because the local government has cracked down more and more on drunken behaviour in public.
Songkran is about fun and good karma in the new year!
Keep a good attitude! Thais and tourists are going to splash you with water. Don’t get mad or feel singled out.
Try to get a bucket, they are from far the best “weapons” as you can fill them faster from water barrels.
Although this festival is fun for everyone, keep in mind that Songkran is a religious festival. If you visit a temple, show due respect and dress up accordingly.
Sawatdee Pee Mai!
Thank you so much for reading this article!
I hope it helped you understand the Thaï culture behind all this festivities and made you itchy to join us for the next water splashing 😉
Bisous bisous 💋