Songkran Festival Traditions: History and Modern Celebrations of Thailand’s Water Festival

Thailand – the land of smiles – is globally renowned as the most preferred holiday destination.  With timeless traditions and a rich cultural heritage, Thailand has many festivals to enjoy. These festivals are an integral part of Thai culture and have become a big attraction for tourists. Amongst the list of popular festivals In Thailand – Songkran ranks at the top.

Are you curious to know the reason why – find out all about the Songkran Festival in this blog.

What is the Songkran Festival?

The first step to discovering the reason for its popularity is that we need to know what is this festival all about. 

Well, the Songkran Festival is the traditional New Year celebration in Thailand. Many may know it as the Thailand Water Festival. The word Songkran is a Sanskrit word which means enter or step into. It is all about entering into a new year – making a fresh start with a splash and washing away the previous year. This water-splashing festival marks the beginning of the Buddhist New Year. People pour water over Buddha statues and sprinkle water over the hands of monks and elders. During this festival, you can splash water on your friends, family, and even strangers. It represents washing all your bad luck with water.  The festival is a full-on water fight, where you will get soaked by powerful water guns.  It is a fun way to cool off in the hot weather, but Songkran is also about old traditions and bringing families closer together.

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When does the Songkran Thailand Water Festival Take Place?

Now, the dates of this water festival are from April 13 to April 15 each year. The entire country celebrates this festival with much fervor. Here is the catch Bangkok may celebrate this festival for three days, but in some places like Chiang Mai – it may even extend for a week. Songkran is special, representing the Thai New Year, following the ancient traditions, and at the same time, it is the epitome of fun. Coincidently, this festival falls during the summer season, making the water fights even more refreshing!

Songkran Customs and What They Represent

Songkran Thailand Water Festival is not just about playing with water and getting wet. At its heart, it is full of meaningful traditions.

• It is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. People look ahead to the Thai New Year, wish for good luck, and give thanks for the blessings of the past year.
• People visit temples to pray and pour water on Buddha statues to wash away their sins, and it represents purification.
• The younger generation pour scented water onto the hands of people older than them to show respect and seek blessings. 
• It is a festival that focuses on the importance of family and religion. It is similar to Christmas in the West because it is a special time when everyone tries to come together.
• People wash their homes to sweep away bad vibes and wear new clothes – representing new beginnings.
  

How is Songkran celebrated?

Songkran Festival is celebrated both – spiritually and playfully in Thailand. 

Following the spiritual aspect – families visit temples, offer food to monks, and take part in cleansing rituals. On the fun side, get ready for a huge water fight in the streets of Thailand. You will find people lining the streets with water guns and water buckets to splash on one another and passersby. Groups of people roam around in trucks filled with water and get everyone wet. Do not be surprised when locals apply talcum powder paste on you. The reason why they do so – is that the powder represents your sins that will get washed away by water. Moreover, it is part of fun. Most cities feature traditional performances and colorful parades. The whole experience is further enhanced by live music, DJs, and delicious Thai street food. 

Some basic etiquette to follow while enjoying this festival are 

• Enjoy the festival in good spirits.
• Visit temples and engage in ceremonies. Pour scented water on Buddha statues to wash away the bad luck of the past year. 
• Pour water on the palms of monks and seek their blessings.
• Do good deeds like giving donations, giving food to monks, and releasing caged birds. 
• Use clean water.
• Do not drink and engage in such festivals. 
• Wear modest clothes, as Songkran is a religious festival and Thailand is a conservative country. 
• Enjoy the three days of this festival by starting with a visit to the temple, building sand pagodas, enjoying water fights in cities and beaches, watching cultural shows and parades, and relishing the local street food. 

Top places to experience Songkran

If you are in Thailand during this time of the year – it is impossible to avoid this festival. You will be engulfed by this festive spirit as soon as you step out of your hotel room. Although the celebrations may vary across the country, you will not miss out on the fun. Famous places to experience and enjoy this festival are Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Koh Samui.

Insider Tips to remember for enjoying the Songkran Festival 

• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Use waterproof sunscreen.
• Remember to wear quick-drying clothes and shoes with good grip.
• Be careful on the road as it may be slippery.
• Keep your mobile phones, money, etc., in waterproof bags or pouches.
• Keep small cash ready for water refills during the fight. Many street vendors sell cold water to refill your water gun.
• Do not use high-pressure guns.
• Do not target babies, pregnant women, monks, and elders. 
• Do not spray people in the face for too long. Avoid shooting water into their ears; it can cause infections. If someone looks upset, do not aim at them! Be sensible.
• Remember that Songkran is a national holiday, so ATMs and banks may be closed.
• Withdraw money before the festival, but keep it safe and do not carry all of it with you.
• Avoid riding in a tuk-tuk during Songkran, as you will become an easy target for water splashing. If you do not want to get soaked, stay out of them!
• Be safe – avoid two-wheelers too and prefer walking. Prefer taxis or public buses. 
• Ideally, the whole water fun stops with sunset. 
• Attend other fun activities in the evening, like music events, colourful parades, and traditional Thai dance performances. 
• Stay hydrated, reapply sunscreen, and take breaks when you want to.

Why should you include the Songkran Festival on your Thailand travel list?

Wrapping it up, Songkran is more than just a water fight – it is a chance to experience Thai culture.  Whether you are a culture vulture or looking for a unique experience – do not miss this nationwide celebration of New Year. Whether you are walking through the water-filled streets of Bangkok, joining traditional ceremonies in Chiang Mai, or partying on the beaches of Phuket, Songkran gives you a one-of-a-kind experience filled with fun, culture and a sense of togetherness.

So, are you ready to make a splash at Songkran in 2025? Pack your floral shirt and water gun, and bring your sense of adventure. Start planning from now for the wettest, wildest New Year celebration you will ever experience with our Thailand tour packages.

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