Quick answer
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is a national holiday on 13–15 April, and much of Thailand turns into a three-day water fight. Bangkok's Silom and Khao San roads and Chiang Mai's old-city moat are the big venues. Book flights and hotels six to eight weeks ahead, carry a waterproof phone pouch and expect heat of 35°C and more.
Highlights
- Street water fights on Silom Road and Khao San Road in Bangkok
- Chiang Mai's moat-side celebrations, parades and temple rituals
- Pouring scented water over elders' hands for their blessing
- Bathing Buddha images and merit-making at temples
- Beach-town parties in Phuket and Pattaya
What actually happens
Songkran is the Thai New Year, and its rituals are gentle: people visit temples, make merit, bathe Buddha images and pour scented water over the hands of elders to ask for their blessing. On the streets, that splash of water has grown into a three-day national water fight, with water guns, buckets, hoses from pickup trucks and smears of white clay paste. Nobody stays dry.
Where to go
- Bangkok: Silom Road, Khao San Road and the area around Central World are the main zones. Much of the city goes home to the provinces, so traffic is unusually light.
- Chiang Mai: the most famous Songkran, with the old-city moat as the water source, parades and temple ceremonies, and celebrations that often stretch beyond the official three days.
- Phuket and Pattaya: beach-party versions. Pattaya's own Wan Lai celebrations come a few days later.
Best days and how long
13 April is the biggest day. Plan two or three days of Songkran inside a five- or six-night trip, then head to a beach to dry out. April is the hottest month, often 35°C and above.
Where to stay and what it costs
A five-night Thailand trip starts at about ₹20,000 per person, land only, but Songkran week is peak: Bangkok mid-range hotels run ₹5,000–9,000 a night and Chiang Mai's old city sells out. Return flights from Indian metros to Bangkok typically cost ₹22,000–35,000. Book six to eight weeks ahead. Check current entry rules on our Thailand visa guide, and complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within three days before you land.
Safety and etiquette
Road accidents spike over Songkran, so do not ride a scooter. Protect your eyes, as some people use iced water and powder. Do not target monks, older people, babies, police or anyone on a motorbike. Pickpockets work the crowds, so keep cash in a waterproof pouch.
Photography and what to wear
Leave expensive cameras behind and take a waterproof phone pouch or an action camera. Wear quick-dry clothes that are not see-through when wet, and sandals with grip. Floral shirts are the unofficial uniform.
Combining it
Bangkok plus Chiang Mai, or Bangkok plus Krabi or Phuket, both work well. See the best time to visit Thailand, where to stay in Bangkok, things to do in Bangkok and our April ideas.
Frequently asked questions
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How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
