For centuries, the Songkran Festival has been observed as a symbol of hospitality and the Thai New Year Festival holds the importance of maintaining strong relationships within families, communities, and society as a whole. This is a special time when families travel long distances to spend time together, perform traditional merit making ceremonies at the temples and reconnect with loved ones. During the celebration, the streets of Thailand become almost impassable and one should expect to be soaked by water from buckets and water cannons.
The water fights will be held in various spots and many corners will have plenty of action so remember to bring along your bucket or water pistol! For Thai people this festival is more than just fun. Songkran Festival is also about worshiping Buddha. In spite of the fun it brings, especially to travelers, for Thai people, Songkran is actually a ritual to ask for rain; since rice crops are the main source of living in many places. However, as part of the ritual, people also engage in several things which they believe are a way to receive good luck for the remaining months of the year.
These include cleaning their houses, bathing Buddha images and visiting temples, conducting family reunions, giving alms to monks and offering prayer. Using fragrant water, young individuals give respect to elders by pouring the water into the elders’ hands. Songkran Festival only happens once in a year, remember! There are 3 festival days for the official holiday – 13th to 15th April in many different districts throughout Thailand. However, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is joining Thai people nationwide in marking the most important cele bration of the Thai lunar calendar.
The New Year Songkran Festival will be celebrated between 12-20 April, with unique activities and festivities that pay tribute to the role of water in Thai culture and Thai society. Songkran Festival is not that far from now, so, join the water fight and wish “good luck” for Thai natives this April! You will surely enjoy the event.
Songkran 2019 Dates and Famous Events in Thailand
- Khao San Road, Bangkok, 13-15 April 2019, 10.00-23.00 hrs. Silom Road, Bangkok, 13-15 April 2019, 10.00-00.00 hrs. Around the City Moat, Chiang Mai, 11-16 April 2019, 09.00- 22.00 hrs.
- Pattaya (North, Central and South Beach), Lan Bodhi Park Na Kluea and Chon Buri, 11-20 April 2019, 09.00-00.00 hrs. Khao Nieo Road, Khon Kaen, 13-15 April 2019, 10.00-20.30 hrs.
- Patong Beach, Phuket, 12-13 April 2019, 10.00-22.00 hrs. Hat Yai Midnight Songkran at Nipat Uthit 3 Road, Sanehanusorn Road and Wat Mahatta, 11-15 April 2019, 10.00-23.00 hrs.
- Songkran Ko Samui (Chaweng Beach), 13 April 2019, 08.00 – 20.00 hrs. Here are some of the other most interesting locations for foreign visitors: Bangkok: Songkran Wisutkasat: Get soaked at Wisutkasat (Bang Khun Phrom intersection), under the Rama 8 bridge, 13-15 April., Banglamphu: Join Bangkok’s young people in traditional Thai attire and enjoy merit making and cultural performances at Suan Santi Chaiprakarn, Phra Athit Road, 13-15 April. Lan Khon Mueang: Merit making and fun in front of Bangkok City Hall, 13-15 April.
