Songkran 2024 to be Celebrated on 5-20 April in Thailand

As the sign of the beginning of the New Year in the traditional Thai calendar, Songkran is the biggest and the most important traditional festival for Thai people. The Songkran 2024 will be celebrated on 5-20 April 2024. During the celebration, many unique activities will be held, among which, the "Joyous Songkran Splendours" provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and local organizations is a can-not-be-missed activity to be held in the locations below:

Other Places Where Songkran will be Celebrated

Bangkok:

Songkran Wisutkasat, 13-15 April

Banglamphu, 13-15 April

Lan Khon Mueang, 13-15 April

The North:

Songkran "Song Nam Oi Tan" in Sri Satchanalai, Sukhothai, 6-16 April

The Central, Eastern, and Western regions:

Sand pagoda ceremony on Lai Day, Bang Saen District, Chon Buri, 16-17 April

Songkran in Ayutthaya, 13-15 April

Songkran in Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi, 13-18 April

Songkran in Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan, 18-20 April

Songkran Splendours, Suphan Buri 2014, 12-14 April

The Northeast:

Pleasant Songkran, Thai-Lao' New Year, Nakhon Phanom, 12-15 April

Songkran in Renu District, Nakhon Phanom, 12-15 April

Thailand-Laos Friendship Songkran, Nong Khai, 6-18 April

The South:

Songkran "Nang Dan" Parade, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, 12-14 April

Traditionally, many Thai people will take this time to get together with family members, thoroughly clean their houses and make New Year resolutions. They will also join in many interesting activities, such as traditional Thai attire, cultural performances, merit-making, vibrant parade, beauty contests, sand sculpture contests, concerts, colorful Songkran processions,s and traditional Mon-style Songkran celebrations (at Wat Wangwiwekaram). In some places, elephants will join in, making the celebration more unique and interesting. For people having an interest in traditional dance, it is a good idea to visit Renu District in Nakhon Phanom where the famous "Ram Phu Tai" will be performed, along with a magical "Bai Sri" ceremony. 

It is well-known that water plays a large part in the Songkran, making the festival similar to a water fight, and become very popular with younger Thai people and younger travelers from all over the world. During the celebration, people will sprinkle or pour water over the elders and other family members to give good luck, and also sprinkle water to strangers on the streets to have good fun. Since April is usually the hottest month of the year, most Thai people are very glad to join in the "water fight".

Tips to Fully Enjoy the Songkran

1. Join in some temple activities, the most important aspects of the festival. Such as, making merit and listening to temple sermons in the morning to get their blessing.

2. Wash the Buddha by pouring water into the torso rather than directly pouring it onto the head.

3. Sprinkle water on the hands of the elders over the age of 60 to express respect and seek blessings.

4. Do not pour water offensively or use high-pressure water hoses/guns. And the water shall be clean or mixed with traditional Thai fragrances.

5. Wear lightweight clothes which are easy to dry. Women should avoid wearing tight and/or thin clothes or clothes that are light in color.

6. Put wallets, cell phones, and cameras into waterproof plastic bags in advance.

7. Take along a small bucket or water gun to join in the interesting water fight.

Besides, the Songkran festival will also be celebrated in other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, as well as Yunnan in China around 13-16 April. It's time to relax in a wonderful "water festival"!