Thailand - Experience Songkran - Holidays in Thailand

Free Holiday Planning
Helpline

Songkran

Thailand's New Year held from the 13^th to 15^th April is one of the country's most striking visual festivals and one that you are sure to get caught up in. While Songkran is traditionally a time for Thais to visit and pay respects to elders and monks by sprinkling their hands with nam ob or scented water - modern-day Songkran is celebrated more for its colourful parades, building of decadent sand pagodas, beauty pageants and city-wide water fights where strangers douse each other in ice-cold water non-stop, for three days straight!

Like other South East Asian festivals held at the same time of year, Songkran's agricultural origins mark the solar transition into the Aries zodiac. It is also related to water; splashing it over hands as a mark of respect or over statues of the Buddha is supposed to induce abundant rainfall in the current year as well as bring devotees peace and prosperity. Even dousing complete strangers with water and daubing their faces in din saw phong - a white paste - is supposed to be a blessing done in good faith! Since water is also a symbol of fertility and renewal, Thais will rigorously clean their houses in preparation for the coming New Year.

Songkran highlights more than any festival the Thai sense of fun. It's a great time to be in Thailand, sharing in the celebrations of a nation also on holiday! Don't forget your camera if you're out and about but do remember to keep it in a waterproof bag just in case you receive an impromptu shower! Chiang Mai - 'the Capital of Songkran' - is the best place to experience the event.