The New Year signifies fresh beginnings and hopes for a positive future. It is celebrated by different communities of people on different days. But, the beauty of a festival is that it has no boundaries. During festivals, everyone comes together to celebrate no matter what culture you belong to. Festivals also cause profit to the tourism industry as people like to explore different cultures and indulge in festivities. Thailand is a tropical paradise with serene beaches, lush green landscapes, towering mountains, and bustling city life. It houses sacred Buddhist temples representing the cultural beliefs of the people. Several native tribes in Thailand are quite welcoming. No wonder,  Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles.

Thai people celebrate the New Year in April, called as Songkran.

When is Songkran Celebrated?

The word Songkran means transition. Songkran festival is celebrated when the sun moves from one zodiac position ie., Pisces to another zodiac position, Aries. This festival is celebrated to mark the end of the dry season. Songkran is a Buddhist festival and it is believed that spraying water on the idols of Lord Buddha is a way of inviting good luck. Also, young children wet the hands of elderly people to seek their blessings. The most fun part of this festival is splashing water on random people for celebrations. Tourists can also take part in this joyful activity. In 2025, Songkran festival will fall in April from the 13th (Sunday) 2025 to 15th (Tuesday) 2025. After migrating from south China to Thailand, the change in climate conditions determines the celebration of the festival in April when the dry season ends.

On the 13th of April, the celebrations begin. The first day is known as the Song Nam Phra meaning pouring water on monks. There are cultural processions of people carrying Buddha images. This is the main day of the festival when major water fights occur.

On the 14th of April, the Thai people spend most of their time with their family and friends. It is also known as Wan Nao and is the Thai New Year’s Eve.

On the 15th of April, This is the day when the new year starts. It is also known as Wan Payawan meaning the Bathing Buddha Day. Thai people welcome the new year with exotic parties, fireworks, music, entertainment, splashing water, and much more.

How Songkran Festival is Celebrated?

Songkran festival is not only limited to parties, dance, and music. but many other events and rituals are performed to celebrate this festival.

1. Water Splashing

The water fights with guns, buckets, and pipes are the most important event in  Songkran festival. The time of the year is perfect for water fun as April is the hottest month of the year. It is a national holiday in the entire country and streets and roadways are closed to traffic as these act as the ground where the fun-filled water splashing occurs. It is enjoyed by young and old alike. Tourists are more than welcome to participate in this activity and have fun spraying water on random people and enjoying themselves with natives.

2. Cleaning

Thai people believe cleaning their houses and their environment, schools, temples, offices, etc is necessary during festivals. It purifies the surroundings for welcoming of the new year.

3. Merit Making

Merit-making is a ritual in which the local people visit temples and offer food and clothes to monks as a token of respect and to seek their blessings. The offered items include preserved food, fruits, and delicious cooked dishes, and new robes for the monks. The Monks read out the Buddhist texts and preach the important aspects of Buddhism.

4. Releasing Birds And Fish

Buddhism holds respect for all forms of life from humans to tiny insects. In Songkran festival, Thai people release birds and fishes to their natural habitat. This in a way restores these creatures the freedom they deserve and attracts good luck.

5. Folk Performances And Entertaining Games

Thai people celebrate this festival by enjoying traditional dances. They take part in beauty pageants donning cultural dresses. Boat races, flag ceremonies, and street food parties add to the fun. It is much different from the extravagant parties and gives a casual, cool vibe.

6. Build a Sand Pagoda

Traditional Thai people bring in some sand to the temples and build their sand pagodas. They also help the monks in the maintenance and repair of these age-old temples. It is considered a holy activity.

 

Where is Songkran  Celebrated in Thailand?

The Thai New Year is celebrated with great excitement in all of Thailand. The festival lasts for a longer time in Northern Thailand as compared to Southern Thailand. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have large-scale celebrations in comparison to other small towns and villages.

1. Songkran Festival in Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and hosts major celebrations of this festival. In the 5-kilometer-long street of Silom, the traffic has ceased and the street transforms into an arena of water fights with almost anything from guns to buckets.

The statue of Buddha opposite the Grand Palace is carried by the people around the city so that other people can pour water on it. It is believed that sprinkling water invites good luck. The Thai people also build sand pagodas visit temples for merit-making and give offerings to monks.

2. Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai

In Chiang Mai, Songkran festival is celebrated on a wide scale. The biggest water fights occur near the Ping River, making the people wet from head to toe. Processions of Buddha images can be seen all over the city. The next two days are spent with families and loved ones, spraying scented water on Buddhist idols and merit-making. On the last day, people pay homage to their ascendants.

3. Songkran Festival in Pattaya

Songkran Festival celebrations have an extravagant party vibe in Pattaya. After the joyful water fights in the morning, you get to witness live music shows, and foam machines are set to attract the crowds and increase the fun. The pick-up trucks move from one street to another and act as a stage where the artists show their talent live and entertaining music is played all day.

4. Songkran Festival in Phuket

Witness the ultimate beach parties during Songkran in Patong Beach, Phuket. There are live music shows and traditional Thai folk dances at Saphan Hin Park. There is a regular supply of water by pick-up trucks to ensure no one runs out of water and enjoys this fun-filled activity.

Tips To Follow When Visiting Thailand During Songkran

• Water fights are fun to take part in. However, it is important to be respectful and not use high-pressure sprayers or spray someone on their body in places where there are chances of injury.
• The natives might spread wet powder on your face as a traditional way of blessing you. You can wash it after you return from the festivities
• It is advisable to wear goggles and swimsuits during water fights. Wearing sleeveless or revealing clothes is not allowed.
• Don’t splash water on monks, elderly people, and anyone who is not willing to participate in the water splashing.
• Protect your electronics by keeping them in a waterproof bag

Conclusion:

Although the New Year is celebrated with more zeal and excitement on the 1st of January around the world. But, Thailand gives equal importance to the celebrations and festivities of their New Year,  Songkran. The water splashing activity is a relief during the hot summer months. The Songkran festival is not only about fun and entertainment but it is also about culture and rituals. The tradition of merit-making and offering food and clothing to monks is followed to date. The street food parties, traditional folk dances, and cultural processions add a unique vibe to the festival. Thai people welcome tourists with an open heart and let them participate and explore their culture. So, if you are planning to visit Thailand in 2024, then mid-April is the best time to witness Thailand’s culture in full bloom.