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Songkran on Silom Road, Bangkok

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Songkran (Water Festival)

สงกรานต์ Songkran · Thailand (nationwide) (Silom Road, Bangkok)

Photo: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0

Thai New Year: bathing Buddha images at temples at dawn, pouring water on elders' hands for blessings, and in the afternoon whole streets turn into joyful water fights.

Know before you go

  • Don't splash monks, elderly people, babies or people on motorbikes
  • don't use ice water or dirty water, or spray people's faces at close range
  • don't have water fights inside temples

This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.

Culture

Culture & customs

Background

Songkran is Thailand's traditional New Year, usually lasting three to seven days, centred on merit-making, bathing Buddha images and family reunions. In 2023 it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as 'Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival'.

Local customs

  • At dawn, give alms and make merit at temples
  • gently sprinkle scented water on Buddha images
  • younger people pour water over elders' hands and ask for their blessing
  • going home to be with family is the most important part of the festival

Religion & beliefs

Centred on Theravada Buddhism: bathing Buddha images and making merit symbolise washing away the old year and accumulating merit for the new. Temple etiquette still applies inside temples — water fights happen only in the streets.

Etiquette

Etiquette & taboos

Rules that apply here

Red linePhotos & dronesThailand

Drones must be registered in Thailand

  • Register with Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of arrival or purchase, even if you don't plan to fly
  • Bringing in an unregistered drone

Fines of up to THB 100,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice

Red lineEntryThailand

E-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand

  • Leave e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquids at home before you travel
  • Carrying or using e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids or heated-tobacco devices

Confiscation, fines (usually THB 5,000–30,000), detention and prosecution; no exceptions for tourists or personal use.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice

Red lineEveryday mannersThailand

Never insult the Thai royal family

  • Treat portraits of the royal family and related topics with respect and care
  • Posting or sharing any criticism of, or jokes about, the royal family, online included

The lèse-majesté law is interpreted very broadly and can bring long prison sentences; it applies to past and present members of the royal family.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice

Don’t DON'T

  • Don't splash monks, elderly people, babies or people on motorbikes
  • don't use ice water or dirty water, or spray people's faces at close range
  • don't have water fights inside temples
  • roads are packed during the festival — never drink and drive

Locals appreciate DO

  • Locals appreciate visitors who 'show respect first, then have fun': take part in bathing Buddha images at a temple and greet elders with a wai before joining the street water fights
  • smile back when you get splashed.

Plan your visit

Practical info

2027 datesApril 13 – 15, 2027

Travel tips

  • Mid-April every year
  • Silom Road and Khao San Road in Bangkok are the liveliest water-fight streets, and the moat around Chiang Mai's old city is just as famous
  • put your phone and documents in a waterproof pouch, wear quick-drying clothes and bring goggles
  • flights and long-distance bus tickets are scarce around the holiday, so book ahead

2027 schedule

  • Thailand usually observes 13–15 April as the Songkran public holiday
  • the length of events varies by region — check the Tourism Authority of Thailand's announcements.

Photos

Photos

Songkran on Silom Road, Bangkok
Songkran on Silom Road, Bangkok
Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0
Water-throwing crowds on Silom Road
Water-throwing crowds on Silom Road
Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0
Sources & verification notes

UNESCO Decision 18.COM 8.B.10: Songkran in Thailand inscribed on the Representative List

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