Use these 12 tips for enjoying Songkran in Thailand, what many call the largest water fight in the world! Although Songkran is celebrated throughout Thailand and even in some other parts of Asia, Chiang Mai is considered the epicenter for the event. Songkran is easily the largest festival in Thailand.
Arm yourself with a bucket, plan to get very wet, and use these Songkran tips for a better experience!
First, read all about Songkran, the Thai New Year festival.
In fact, you may not be dry at all during the daytime for all three days of Songkran. Don’t be surprised if the staff at your guesthouse are the first to attack as soon as you exit your room. Unless you are a monk or a pregnant woman, no one is exempt; even people on buses and public transportation are hosed down with water!
Dress accordingly and don’t even think about bringing a phone or camera unless you’ve got a really good waterproof solution for it. Money should be put into a waterproof dry bag; leave your tablet, laptop, passport, and anything else that is important inside the hotel.
All locals know that an official ceasefire begins as soon as the sun goes down. That’s the time to go home, dry off, and get ready for dinner. Don't worry, there will always be plenty of nightlife later.
Although some drunken tourists do anyway, throwing water on someone once the sun goes down is not only a bad idea -- it’s illegal.
During Songkran, it’s extremely important to observe the Thai culture of remaining cool to avoid loss of face. Don’t get upset or irritated if someone splashes you with water despite your cries for mercy. No one is exempt from getting wet and you aren’t being singled out.
If you don’t want to get wet, you really shouldn’t be there in the first place.
Thailand’s number of traffic fatalities, already one of the highest in the world, doubles during Songkran. During the three days of the 2014 celebration there were 204 traffic-related fatalities and 2,142 injuries.
Not even motorbike drivers and passengers are exempt from a good soaking -- don’t drive or ride on the back of a scooter! Songkran is really the wrong time to rent a motorbike to explore the area.
If you’re drinking during Songkran as many do, you may notice that your beer is starting to get a little watered down. Although officials drain the moat and refill it before Songkran in an effort to make the water cleaner, water from the moat is by no means potable and shouldn’t be drank. Keep your cup or can covered during the water fight!
Traffic comes to a near standstill around the moat and Old City once everyone is awake and fully armed with water. If staying outside of the Old City, take transportation as early as possible to the area. Tapae Gate and the main arteries into the Old City will practically be shut down or blocked for the celebration. Don't get stuck sitting in a tuk-tuk!
It’s easy to get caught up in the madness of the world’s largest water fight, but blasting a monk or elderly Thai in the face with a water cannon is terrible form -- don’t do it! Pregnant women also shouldn’t be soaked.
The traditional way to celebrate Songkran is to pour or sprinkle water on someone gently from a bucket. The water is often scented with fragrant herbs. White powder is sometimes smeared on faces and foreheads. Symbolically, you are washing away the old and preparing someone to receive good luck in the upcoming year.
Although the official start date is on April 13, some kids just can’t stand the anticipation. They may begin throwing water on select tourists a day or two before the actual celebration begins.
Many expensive smartphones have fallen victim to an unexpected, pre-Songkran dousing.
The default and cheapest way to share the love with thousands of strangers is to arm yourself with a plastic bucket; you’ll find them everywhere.
A string or piece of twine attached to the bucket will make it much easier to fill quickly from the moat. As the crowd gets more rowdy, occasionally people get pushed into the moat while trying to fill their buckets.
Tip: Some revelers choose to purchase large water cannons. If you do so, get something that is easy to fill from the barrels of water on the street.
Although the mob in the streets better resembles a Mardis Gras celebration, Songkran is actually a religious holiday. Buddha statues are removed from homes and temples to be bathed with scented water.
Most of the religious ceremonies on Songkran begin between 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. at temples all over town. A ceremony is held at the Office of Chiang Mai Municipality at 8 a.m. and also at the Three Kings Monument at 9 a.m.
The official opening ceremony for Songkran begins at 8 a.m. at Thapae Gate, the main gate on the east side of the Old City.
Unsurprisingly, transportation books up a day or two before and after Songkran as people flood into Chiang Mai to celebrate. Plan accordingly or you may end up waiting a few days in the city for a night bus or train out.
April is often the hottest month of the year in Chiang Mai, with temperatures over a 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Haze from seasonal fires peaks in April and exasperates the situation.
Even though you’ll be wet enough to feel cool, getting dehydrated in the crowd is easy to do. Drink bottled water and use the water refill machines found around town.
Arm yourself with a bucket, plan to get very wet, and use these Songkran tips for a better experience!
First, read all about Songkran, the Thai New Year festival.
1. Plan to Get Very Wet
In fact, you may not be dry at all during the daytime for all three days of Songkran. Don’t be surprised if the staff at your guesthouse are the first to attack as soon as you exit your room. Unless you are a monk or a pregnant woman, no one is exempt; even people on buses and public transportation are hosed down with water!
Dress accordingly and don’t even think about bringing a phone or camera unless you’ve got a really good waterproof solution for it. Money should be put into a waterproof dry bag; leave your tablet, laptop, passport, and anything else that is important inside the hotel.
2. Observe the Most Important Rule of Songkran
All locals know that an official ceasefire begins as soon as the sun goes down. That’s the time to go home, dry off, and get ready for dinner. Don't worry, there will always be plenty of nightlife later.
Although some drunken tourists do anyway, throwing water on someone once the sun goes down is not only a bad idea -- it’s illegal.
3. Remember, Songkran Is All About Good-natured Fun
During Songkran, it’s extremely important to observe the Thai culture of remaining cool to avoid loss of face. Don’t get upset or irritated if someone splashes you with water despite your cries for mercy. No one is exempt from getting wet and you aren’t being singled out.
If you don’t want to get wet, you really shouldn’t be there in the first place.
- Read more about etiquette in Thailand.
4. Don't Even Think about Driving
Thailand’s number of traffic fatalities, already one of the highest in the world, doubles during Songkran. During the three days of the 2014 celebration there were 204 traffic-related fatalities and 2,142 injuries.
Not even motorbike drivers and passengers are exempt from a good soaking -- don’t drive or ride on the back of a scooter! Songkran is really the wrong time to rent a motorbike to explore the area.
5. Keep Your Drink Covered
If you’re drinking during Songkran as many do, you may notice that your beer is starting to get a little watered down. Although officials drain the moat and refill it before Songkran in an effort to make the water cleaner, water from the moat is by no means potable and shouldn’t be drank. Keep your cup or can covered during the water fight!
6. Arrive Early If Staying Outside of the Old City
Traffic comes to a near standstill around the moat and Old City once everyone is awake and fully armed with water. If staying outside of the Old City, take transportation as early as possible to the area. Tapae Gate and the main arteries into the Old City will practically be shut down or blocked for the celebration. Don't get stuck sitting in a tuk-tuk!
7. Remember the Old Tradition of Songkran
It’s easy to get caught up in the madness of the world’s largest water fight, but blasting a monk or elderly Thai in the face with a water cannon is terrible form -- don’t do it! Pregnant women also shouldn’t be soaked.
The traditional way to celebrate Songkran is to pour or sprinkle water on someone gently from a bucket. The water is often scented with fragrant herbs. White powder is sometimes smeared on faces and foreheads. Symbolically, you are washing away the old and preparing someone to receive good luck in the upcoming year.
8. Keep in Mind that Songkran May Begin Early
Although the official start date is on April 13, some kids just can’t stand the anticipation. They may begin throwing water on select tourists a day or two before the actual celebration begins.
Many expensive smartphones have fallen victim to an unexpected, pre-Songkran dousing.
- Read more about Asia in April.
9. Arm Yourself
The default and cheapest way to share the love with thousands of strangers is to arm yourself with a plastic bucket; you’ll find them everywhere.
A string or piece of twine attached to the bucket will make it much easier to fill quickly from the moat. As the crowd gets more rowdy, occasionally people get pushed into the moat while trying to fill their buckets.
Tip: Some revelers choose to purchase large water cannons. If you do so, get something that is easy to fill from the barrels of water on the street.
10. Check out the ‘real’ Songkran
Although the mob in the streets better resembles a Mardis Gras celebration, Songkran is actually a religious holiday. Buddha statues are removed from homes and temples to be bathed with scented water.
Most of the religious ceremonies on Songkran begin between 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. at temples all over town. A ceremony is held at the Office of Chiang Mai Municipality at 8 a.m. and also at the Three Kings Monument at 9 a.m.
The official opening ceremony for Songkran begins at 8 a.m. at Thapae Gate, the main gate on the east side of the Old City.
- Don't wear your swimsuit into temples. Show proper respect when visiting temples in Thailand.
11. Plan Transportation Accordingly
Unsurprisingly, transportation books up a day or two before and after Songkran as people flood into Chiang Mai to celebrate. Plan accordingly or you may end up waiting a few days in the city for a night bus or train out.
12. Drink Water, Don’t Just Throw It
April is often the hottest month of the year in Chiang Mai, with temperatures over a 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Haze from seasonal fires peaks in April and exasperates the situation.
Even though you’ll be wet enough to feel cool, getting dehydrated in the crowd is easy to do. Drink bottled water and use the water refill machines found around town.
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