🗺️ Songkran by city: when the water is, where people celebrate and what to bring

Every April, Thailand briefly stops being a quiet vacation destination. City streets turn into a water fight arena, hotels get booked out months in advance, and train schedules become scarce. Songkran stretches beyond the official dates, and that is important to factor in before buying tickets.

The official Songkran public holidays in 2026 are Monday, April 13 through Wednesday, April 15 (as of 09/2026, Bank of Thailand). In Pattaya, the main days are shifted to April 18 and 19, and Chiang Mai celebrates longer than anywhere else. Below you will find the dates, the main celebration spots, and practical tips so the water does not ruin your vacation.

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What Songkran is and when it is celebrated

💡 In short:

Songkran is known as the Thai New Year and the country's biggest water festival.
The official 2026 public holidays are April 13-15.
In Pattaya and Chiang Mai, the water flows longer than the national holidays.
Dates and official holidays: 09/12/2026, verified on the Bank of Thailand website

Songkran is called the Thai New Year, but it is not a single day, it is a whole holiday season in April. The name comes from Sanskrit: (mesa-)sankranti means the Sun's transition into the constellation of Aries. The holiday used to have no fixed date; today the official public holidays are tied to April 13-15 (as of 09/2026, official calendar). The festival takes place across the entire country, as confirmed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The tradition is simple. On the first day, people clean their homes. On the second, they bring offerings to the temple, and younger people pour water over the hands of elders as a sign of respect. Street water fights grew out of this ritual: everyone pours water on everyone. The religious part stayed in the temples, while the streets turned into one giant water fight arena.

Keep in mind: the official days and the local schedule do not match. Cities announce their own schedule in advance, and the festival easily stretches to a week. So check the dates on your tickets against the specific city's calendar, not just the national one.

How the water festival works

There are no spectators on the streets here: any passerby can get a bucket of water in the back, and you will not always have time to react. People use basins, buckets, and water guns sold on every corner. Pickup trucks with barrels drive along the sidewalks, and people on board spray everyone indiscriminately, no matter who is in front of them.

Besides water, people use talcum powder and colored powder. Do not be surprised if someone smears paint on your face. Sometimes ice is thrown into the buckets, so the water can be freezing even in the heat. In tourist centers, the scale is always bigger than in ordinary city neighborhoods.

There are few rules of politeness here, but they do exist. Do not pour water on monks, babies, or elderly people. Do not spray motorcyclists in motion: it is dangerous for both them and you. Everything else is considered part of the festival, even if you get soaked within the first hour of your walk.

Where Songkran is celebrated: cities and islands

The festival takes place across the whole country, but four cities and a couple of islands set the tone. The more tourists, the hotter and louder it gets. Below is the order from the most crowded spots to the calmest.

Herd of wild elephants in a meadow in Thailand

Songkran in Bangkok

The capital celebrates on a grand scale. The wildest party takes place on Silom Road, where the street is closed to traffic. The Khao San Road, Banglamphu, Wisutkasat, and Rattanakosin Royal Plaza areas are also popular. Stages and vendor booths are set up in the squares, so water flows here from morning until late evening.

Songkran in Pattaya

Pattaya shifts its main days to late April: the city celebrates on April 18 and 19, when the national holidays are already over (as of 09/2026, The Thaiger). In the first days, the water is concentrated on Soi 6, 7, and 8, as well as Soi Buakhao. Hotels during this period are booked in advance, and there are almost no rooms left.

View of Pattaya Bay from the observation deck

Songkran in Chiang Mai

The northern city is the choice for those who want tradition. Water flows around the city moat and at Tha Phae Gate, while Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang hold ceremonies with a Buddha image. Chiang Mai celebrates longer than the rest: the national holidays are not enough for the city, and the water keeps flowing almost until the end of the week.

Forested mountains of Thailand at sunset

Songkran in Phuket

In Phuket the center of the celebration is at Patong Beach. The other beaches are calmer on these days, but you will not stay completely dry. The island is convenient because water fights are easy to combine with a regular beach vacation.

Songkran on Koh Samui and Koh Chang

On the islands, the main day falls on April 13 (as of 09/2026, holiday calendar). On Samui, the water is concentrated around Lamai and Chaweng beaches; on Koh Chang the celebration is quieter and more family-oriented. If you want a calm Songkran, the islands are the right choice.

Crowd celebrating Songkran on Chaweng Street

Songkran in Laos: Pi Mai

In neighboring Laos, the same holiday is called Pi Mai. The main venue is in Luang Prabang, where the celebration lasts longer than in any city in Thailand. There, the water splashing is joined by processions and evening ceremonies at temples. Many travelers deliberately extend their route to catch both holidays back to back.

Songkran dates in 2026 and 2027

The dates do not change from year to year: the holiday is fixed for April 13-15. Only the days of the week and the number of days off around them change.

Year	Official days	Days of the week
2026	April 13-15	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
2027	April 13-15	Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

As of 09/2026, Thai holiday calendar. Local venues often shift the festivities by a couple of days, so check the city program right before your trip, not six months ahead.

Holidays and transport: what to book in advance

In the first half of April, Thais travel en masse to see relatives in other provinces. Trains and intercity buses for these dates sell out quickly, and domestic flights get more expensive. If your route passes through Bangkok, plan your transfers in advance and do not leave ticket purchases until the last day.

Train and bus tickets around Thailand are worth checking before you book your hotel. Otherwise you will have to adjust your entire route around available seats, and during the holiday there are not enough train cars even for locals.

Hotels during Songkran: why prices go up

During the holiday there are few available rooms, and prices are noticeably higher than usual. Songkran coincides with the peak of domestic tourism, so the markup lasts throughout the first half of April. In Pattaya and Chiang Mai, accommodation sells out fastest, while Bangkok has a wider selection.

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Safety: alcohol and the roads

The holiday has a dark side, and it is tied to alcohol. Thailand ranks among the countries with the highest road fatality rates: according to WHO data, it is 25.4 cases per 100,000 residents (as of 2021, WHO). During the holiday, the number of accidents rises because drunk drivers get behind the wheel.

Wild elephant in a meadow near a tropical forest in Thailand

What this means for you. Do not ride a motorcycle after drinking, and it is better not to rent a bike at all during Songkran. Cross roads carefully and do not fight the traffic flow. If you plan evening trips, arrange a taxi in advance or use ride-hailing apps.

What to bring and how to behave

The list is short, but it can save your vacation. Buy a waterproof pouch for your phone and money. Leave valuables in the hotel safe.

Wear clothes you do not mind ruining: dyed water does not wash out.
Check your gear in advance: a waterproof pouch protects your phone from water and powder.
Stay away from the roadway during the water fights.
Do not wear your favorite T-shirt or light-colored clothes.

From our travel experience: an eSIM is more convenient than roaming and activates in a couple of minutes. A virtual card is enough for a week-long trip, while a physical SIM at the airport will cost more (eSIM for Thailand). Also pack a small first aid kit with bandages and sunburn relief.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is Songkran in 2027?

The official dates are the same: April 13 to 15. In 2027 the holiday falls on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so there are fewer long weekends around it (as of 09/2026, holiday calendar). Check the local schedule: Pattaya and Chiang Mai often shift the festivities to nearby dates.

Where should I celebrate if it's my first time?

Start with Bangkok: it's easier to pick a neighborhood that suits you there. Chiang Mai is good for traditions, Pattaya for a long party, Phuket and Samui for the beach. In every city the water starts in the morning, but the peak comes in the afternoon, when everyone heads out into the streets.

Is it dangerous to travel for Songkran?

The risk isn't the water, it's the roads and alcohol. Don't ride a motorbike after drinking, don't cross the road in traffic, and keep your documents in a waterproof pouch.

How many days does the holiday last?

Officially just three days, but Chiang Mai and Pattaya celebrate longer, while on the islands it's often all over in a single day. If you want to catch both the processions and the water fights, arrive a day before the official date and stay for two more.

Do I need to bring a water gun?

No, there's little point in buying one in advance. On the ground, guns, buckets and pouches are sold on every corner, and the selection is wider. A home version would still have to go in your luggage anyway. But do protect your phone ahead of time: at the airport a pouch costs more.

In short: what's worth booking

If it's your first time, get a hotel closer to the center and don't plan any moves on the holiday days. Head to Chiang Mai for traditions, Pattaya for parties, Phuket or Samui for the beach. Trains and buses for April get booked up early, so reserve your accommodation and transport all at once, not piecemeal.

Flight prices to Bangkok

Songkran in Thailand: dates 2026 and 2027, main cities and safety tips