Songkran in Bangkok- A Full Guide To Celebrating Thailand’s Biggest Water Fight
Every year the world’s largest water fight erupts into life all across Thailand. Come with us for our experiences on an amazing day splashing through Silom, Bangkok. Our guide covers everything you could need to know about celebrating Songkran, from where to go and what to wear to refilling your water pistol and the unspoken rules of the water festival!
Songkran is one of Thailand’s biggest and most important festivals. Held during the middle of April, the whole country erupts into one massive three-day long party full of water fights, music and colour. Featuring dazzling floral shirts, water pistols and an amazing party atmosphere, celebrating Songkran in Thailand is something every traveller should experience at least once in their lives!
Read on to find out everything you need to know about what Songkran is, how you can celebrate it and our experience of celebrating Songkran in Silom, Bangkok.
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What Is Songkran?
Songkran today may be known world over as the world’s biggest water fight, but the water festival has much older, traditional Buddhist roots.
The name of the festival Songkran is a Sanskrit word used to describe “movement” or “passing into” and refers to the astrological movement of the sun as it enters into a new position in the zodiac under Thai astrology. The changing of the sun into Aries, marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year beginning on the 13th April.
During the three days of the festival, water plays a vital role. Devotees use water to wash off the past and purify themselves ready for the start of the new year. On the first day of the festival (13th April), Thai people will clean their homes to remove any bad luck from the previous year and many will head to their local temple to sprinkle water over statues of the Buddha. Over the next few days, the Thai people will make merit at the temple, by giving food and clothing to monks, cleansing the feet of their elders and donating spiritual offerings to the deities all to aid in making sure the new year is as prosperous as possible.
So what does this ancient tradition with a countrywide water fight that now takes place every year?
Well… the washing away of sin has now become a lot more enthusiastic! The traditional elements are all still practiced but in typical, joyful Thai style, the celebrations now transcend the temple walls and spill out onto the streets.
The traditional roots of the festival now sit alongside the more modern water-based shenanigans with families all joining in the fun celebrating with water fights, brightly coloured floral shirts and lots of food!
When Is Songkran Celebrated?
The main Songkran celebrations align with the traditional Thai New Year and take place over three consecutive days from 13th April to 15th April. In some parts of Thailand the water festival celebrations can go on for over a week or even longer!
The main three days of the festival are a public holiday for Thai nationals so expect banks, government offices, schools and immigration offices to close during this time, however shopping malls, the larger museums and the vast majority of tourist attractions will all remain open.
If you’re planning on visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho or any other temple or holy site in Bangkok, expect larger crowds and be aware that opening hours for tourists may be limited on some days.
Our Songkran Story In Silom
Having already sourced a pair of violently coloured Hawaiian shirts, and laid our hands on some dangerously cheap water pistols, we woke up on the morning of Songkran ready to roll!
We caught a cheap river boat south, through the city to Sathorn Pier. The boat, pier and streets all seemed suspiciously quiet. Our local neighbourhood had been full of children and paddling pools, but downtown it was eerily quiet. Well up until Silom Road it was …
Slowly at first, we began to encounter more and more people. Starting with small gaggles of mischievous kids who would sneak up, spray us and then run cackling away. The crowd quickly swelled to throngs of tourists and locals, all kitted out in everything from 7-Eleven squirt guns to high-powered electric, rapid fire water pistols. At one point, an especially ingenious (and presumably wealthy) group pulled up on what could only be described as a water tanker and started hosing down anyone who strayed nearby.
We felt these guys may have had a slight advantage….
As we got closer to Silom Road, the crowds thickened to festival size as we found ourselves outside the security gates to the Silom Road Songkran festivities.
Silom Road … where do we even begin to explain what Songkran was like here. In front of us walked a slow ocean of people wearing shirts in every spectrum of the rainbow. As we shuffled slowly through the security gates the Songkran festivities exploded all around us. Water came at us from every angle, super soakers were blasted in the air and all around music sang out from stages and performers. The Silom Songkran festival is a semi-closed circuit (there are gates at either end) that runs all along the iconic Bangkok street. Sheltered from the sun by the BTS line above, you walk down one side of the normally traffic choked road before turning around and coming back up the other side. All along, DJ’s span their decks, local dance troupes gyrated around and everybody flung water at everyone else! It really was massive amounts of fun. We circled round four times in total, dipping in and out for food, drink and once to get an amazing aerial view of the mayhem below from the top of the BTS steps.
The atmosphere was perfectly Thai. A pure party, insanely fun whilst being totally non-threatening and completely joyful. Everyone was there to have fun, no-one was there to pick a fight and the whole crowd was vibing with the tunes and euphoria of the day. At one point a newsreader attempted to give a live TV update from the street; we don’t think we have ever seen someone get so soaked so quickly!
After we had our fill on the circuit we retired to a small bar on a busy crossroads. From our elevated bar stools we could still snipe and be sniped at by other revellers as we enjoyed a perfect people watching spot.
One of our favourite memories of the afternoon was watching an elderly Thai lady with a zimmer frame wander through the crowds. As she made her way down the street, it was like watching the sea part for Moses, in unison everyone raised their water guns and respectfully stepped aside to let her pass. As soon as she was safely through, the blasting continued with renewed vigor.
She was so proud of her My Little Pony pistol!
Another moment we adored was watching a tiny toddler attempt to throw a small cup of water at us. She tried with all her might but kept on throwing the water back on herself. After a little encouragement from her Dad she managed to soak John’s trainer which she loved!
Songkran was one of those days we just don’t think we could ever fully explain. We had so much fun, laughing, smiling, soaking and being soaked as we danced our way through the Thai capital.
Practical Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Songkran In Bangkok
We’ve told you what Songkran is and our experience celebrating, so here is everything else you need to know to have your very own Songkran shindig!
Where can I celebrate Songkran in Bangkok?
Songkran celebrations take place all over the city. In fact most of the time, you’ll only have to exit your accommodation and you’ll find a street party or paddling pool set up in the street.
For a more traditional celebration, head over to any of Bangkok’s 400 Buddhist temples to watch as locals wash the statues and make merit.
If you’d rather stay cool but still enjoy some of the festivities, head over to any of the air-conditioned shopping malls dotted all over the city. Each shopping centre will have their own set of Songkran events.
For some of Bangkok’s most famous celebrations head down to:
Silom Road
Silom Road is one of the most popular spots for locals and tourists to head to during Songkran. The whole of Silom Road is closed to traffic from Si Lom MRT station all the way down to the crossroads with Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road. Dotted all along the road on either side are stages with DJ’s and live music, food and drink stalls and more. Silom Road can get very busy, so plan to get there early and join the crowds!
There is a one way system in place which circles around, so whichever way you join the road (north or south), you’ll be able to quickly join in the fun.
Khao San Road
The beating heart of the old-school backpacker scene, Khao San Road transforms itself to an all day all night, high intensity party full of live music, massive waterfights and huge crowds. The whole area is closed off to traffic and it becomes one massive walking street full of EDM music, light and water. If you’re after a big party, then Khao San Road is the place for you. Just be aware that it can get extremely busy and other travellers we spoke to said that once you’re on the road, it takes a very long time for you to exit due to how crowded it gets!
Maha Songkran Festival
This year the Maha Songkran Festival takes place in Benchakitti Park. Featuring a huge parade, merit making, live music performances, splash zones for all ages, light and drone shoes and plenty of delicious street food from across the whole of Thailand, the festival would be a great spot to head to for a completely different Songkran celebration compared to the crowded streets of Silom and Khao San Road.
Lumphini Park
For a more chilled out Songkran experience then head over to Lumphini Park where families gather for a more relaxed celebration. During Songkran a dedicated splash zone will turn up, alongside a huge outdoor art exhibition featuring large, colourful 3D sculptures from well-known Thai artists. We would recommend heading to Lumphini Park after a trip down Silom Road.
Iconsiam Shopping Mall
Over five days, the Icon Siam embraces everything Songkran with live events and music concerts. Outside on the piazza next to the Chao Phraya River, free splash zones are set up with separate children zones and even solar panelled drying booths to dry you off quickly after you’ve had your water fun!
Siam Square
During Songkran, Siam Square transforms itself into a huge urban waterpark full of splash zones, foam parties, free concerts, street food stalls and more. The celebrations in Siam Square are a little more chilled out than other spots in Bangkok and are a favourite amongst Thai families.
After you’ve had your fun at Siam Square, head over to the CentralWorld Shopping Mall for more live music, fashion events, splash zones and more!
King Power Mahanakhon Square
Sitting below the terrifyingly tall pixelated King Power Mahanakhon tower, Mahanakhon Square becomes one massive splash zone with a parade, over 60 live performances, 30 street food stalls and more! There’s even a waterslide for both adults and children to enjoy!
Banthat Thong Road
If you fancy a more local affair then head down to Banthat Thong Road. This area is a Bangkok hotspot popular with students and young adults. During Songkran the street becomes one huge water fight with live music and DJs playing throughout.
Are Songkran events free in Bangkok?
All of the Songkran events we’ve listed above are completely free for you to visit. There are some live music events and concerts that you may need to buy tickets for throughout the city, but the main Songkran celebrations are completely free.
All you need to do is buy a watergun, purchase your colourful Songkran outfit and have enough baht to fill up your pistol!
Songkran for Solo Travellers
For those travelling solo, don’t worry you can still enjoy a spectacular Songkran! Our advice would be to book a stay in a hostel, find a group and head out to the streets. A lot of the hostels will have their own Songkran events held throughout the week which will give you plenty of opportunity to meet other people. We would recommend checking out Lub D Hostel near Silom or the Mad Monkey Hostel near Khao San Road. If you are looking for a less of a party scene we absolutely loved staying in Lost Inn BKK who also usually run group events for Songkran.
If you are not staying in a hostel, but still want to enjoy Songkran with a group, then why not book yourself on this Get Your Guide Songkran experience with Bangkok Night Crawls. This tour provides you with your very own water pistol, colourful shirt and waterproof bag and takes you straight to the heart of the action with a guide and a group in Silom.
Once you are in the thick of it the atmosphere is fantastic. Even if you come alone you will have a blast!
What should I wear to Songkran?
Wear something quick drying and comfortable!
The official uniform of Songkran is brightly coloured floral shirts! During the event, everyone from young to old will be wearing a super vibrant shirt. The floral shirts or suea lai dok as they are known in Thai, are worn to represent and embrace the fun and joy of the Thai New Year. It is also thought that the flowery patterns help to represent new beginnings, prosperity and growth, all essential symbols to see in the traditional Thai New Year. Also from a more boring practical side of things, as they are extremely lightweight they are very quick to dry!
The more colorful the better in Songkran!
Don’t worry if you don’t already own a flowery shirt before you arrive in Thailand as before (and during) Songkran, every street corner and market are full of stalls selling shirts of every colour in the spectrum!
Make sure you wear sturdy footwear. Flip flops and sliders are good for drying your feet quickly but can get very lethal when wet! Think about something that is quick drying and has good grip on the wet pavements.
We would recommend buying a good quality waterproof phone pouch to keep your phone and cash dry. If you’re in the middle of the watery action there is no way you are going to stay dry and you really do not want to break your phone. If you do want to take photos during the day, taking a GoPro with you is an absolute must!
To protect your eyes we would recommend buying some of the brightly coloured goggles on sale everywhere or wearing sunglasses, no-one wants to catch an eye infection!
Songkran takes place in the middle of April at the peak of Thailand’s dry season so make sure you apply lots of suncream. Soggy and burnt is a terrible combination!
Where can I buy a water pistol?
Similar to the brightly coloured shirts, market stalls all over the country in the run up to April will start selling water pistols in every shape, size, price and colour imaginable.
We bought two water pistols from a street side stall and then another very cute “My Little Pony” water gun from 7-Eleven. It was Ellie’s favourite!
Even on our way to Silom we found stalls selling Waterguns!
Songkran etiquette - What to do and what not to do when celebrating
Songkran is all about heading out to the streets and having fun, however there are some protocols we all need to follow.
Always check before you shoot your water pistol.
Not everyone wants to take part in the events, just because they are walking down the street it doesn’t necessarily mean they are there for the party. Always, always check before you spray someone and respect those who do not want to join in.
Do not splash monks, pregnant ladies, the elderly or children.
This should be obvious, but don’t spray water guns in peoples faces.
Water pistols can vary in pressure and you could potentially do a lot of damage to someone’s face. Don’t be a d*ck and watch where you shoot!
It is also illegal to shoot your water pistol at moving vehicles.
Be respectful of local Thai customs and dress appropriately.
Just because it is a waterfight it does not mean you can show up half naked in your swimwear. The Thai Police Department can fine you for being inappropriately dressed. Our advice would be to cover up and join in with the locals by donning a brightly coloured shirt!
Do not drink alcohol in public places. Alcohol has been completely banned from all Songkran event areas. If you want a Chang, head to a bar!
Be careful when choosing your super soaker of choice!
High pressure water guns (in particular the pipe-based pistols) and modified water pistols are now completely banned due to safety. If the Thai Police catch you using one, you are at risk of being fined 4000 baht or up to two years imprisonment!
For more information on all the rules and regulations for Songkran, check out this article.
How do I fill up my water pistols?
During the festival, locals will set up refill stations all across the city, with large plastic barrels filled with water found on almost every street corner. Before we headed to Silom we were worried that we would have to spend all our time heading to 7-Eleven to buy water to fill up our pistols, but luckily we found refill stations everywhere.
Water pistol refills will cost between 0 and 10 baht depending on whose filling you!
Songkran Tip
In the run up to Songkran, make sure you save your small change. In the middle of a waterfight, it is much easier to hand over a couple of 10 baht coins than hand over a 100 baht note!
If you are after change, 7-Eleven is always your friend!
Songkran safety
With thousands and thousands of litres of water being thrown up in the air, the Thai streets can get very slippy! If you’ve been to Thailand before, then you’ll know the Thai’s like to pave their pavements in super sleek tiles making them very slippery when wet! Our main advice would be to watch where you walk. We saw a fellow Japanese tourist take quite a nasty tumble down some very flooded steps outside a restaurant (don’t worry his bleeding arm was patched up very quickly by the locals).
Continuing the theme of slippery pavements, whatever you do, don’t wear plastic sliders! These shoes are notorious for getting stuck around people’s ankles when they slip over. When choosing your footwear make sure you choose something that has good grip and is secure on your feet. Flip flops are quick to dry, but you can easily slip on the wet floor.
Another thing to think about is buying goggles or a pair of sunglasses. During the water fights, you are going to get a lot of water in your eyes. This wouldn’t usually be a problem if it was fresh water but a lot of the water used to fill up the waterguns can be from ponds, canals or untreated water sources and therefore can cause eye problems. We did buy a set of colourful sunglasses, but didn’t wear for the whole day (John sat on his and broke them…) luckily we didn’t come back with any conjunctivitis!
The Thai sun is no joke!
Make sure you apply lots of sunscreen and drink lots of water. Songkran takes place during the hottest month in Thailand and you’ll be out celebrating all day in the intense Thai sun!
We mentioned it above but, no matter how hard you try and stay dry, you will come out of any Songkran event completely soaked. Make sure you buy a good quality waterproof bag to keep your mobile phone and money safe and dry.
You can see why we needed our waterprof pouches!
Getting around Bangkok during Songkran
During the Songkran festival, public transport services (bus, boats, MRT and BTS) in Bangkok will still operate. If you are travelling by public transport, leave plenty of time to get wherever you need to go as it can get very busy, especially on routes that take you near Silom, Khao San Road or Siam. Some MRT or BTS stations may implement a one-way system to get in and out and you may have to wait a while to catch a train. Before entering any of the MRT or BTS stations all passengers will be asked to empty out their water pistols before entering the station. Be nice, follow the rules and whatever you do, don’t start a waterfight in the middle of a carriage!
There will be plenty of Grab and Bolt drivers to get you from a to b. As the celebrations begin to wind down and revellers head back home then you may need to wait a while to get a ride. If you are getting a taxi and you are soaking wet, just be a little mindful of how much you drip all over the backseat and follow the drivers instructions. We caught a night time taxi back from Silom and were given plastic bags to sit on and a big bag for our water guns.
To use ride-hailing apps you will need a Thai SIM card. If you’re one of those who would prefer to have your data sorted as soon as you arrive in Thailand, make sure you check out the eSIMS available on Holafly.
We have used them throughout our travels and love how easy it is to set up, meaning you can get internet access as soon as you step off the plane!
Hiring a tuk tuk during Songkran
Name a better way to experience a water fight than sitting in the back of a tuk tuk whilst your driver speeds you through the busy water filled Bangkok streets! We were very jealous of everyone we saw do this as it looked like a great way to experience the festivities.
You can hire both the traditional petrol tuk tuks (just remember to negotiate prices) or an electric tuk tuk from the Muvmi app.
Prices to hire a tuk tuk will start from 700 baht per hour. If you can, try and get a group together to make things cheaper. We saw many tuk tuks pass us overstuffed with people and waterguns!
What to expect in Bangkok during Songkran? Will restaurants / coffeeshops / streetfood stalls / 7-Eleven’s be open during Songkran?
Songkran is a major public holiday in Thailand. A lot of Thai people will head back home to celebrate the festival with their families, but that doesn’t mean that the Thai capital will be completely deserted.
The streets of Bangkok will feel a lot quieter and a lot more paddling pools will set up shop where the usual street food stalls were. This all doesn’t mean you’ll go hungry though! The Thai people love to eat, in fact one of the friendly ways to greet someone is to ask “Gin khao rue yang?” or “Have you eaten yet?”. Throughout the whole of Songkran we never failed to find food. There were still plenty of street food stalls to choose from, the food courts in the malls open throughout and a lot of the restaurants (particularly the more Western focussed) served food throughout the celebrations.
Even in the heart of the Songkran action there is always Thai street food!
Our only advice would be that if you are planning to dine in a certain restaurant, do check their Google listings or social media pages for any planned closures. Our favourite restaurant in Bang Pho was closed for a whole week during Songkran! Also if it’s a restaurant you need to book a table in, make sure you do it as soon as possible.
For your cheese and toastie needs, 7-Eleven stores will remain open 24 hours a day throughout Songkran.
If you’re planning to order a food delivery via Grab, just check where your food is coming from. We made the mistake of ordering a late night McDonalds from Khao San Road and after a lot of waiting our order was cancelled as our Grab delivery driver couldn’t pick up our food!
Where to stay in Bangkok during Songkran
The Thai capital is enormous and where you choose to stay will depend on how and where you want to celebrate.
If you’re planning to celebrate on Silom Road, then check out the accommodation available in and around Silom here. We would probably recommend avoiding staying directly on Silom Road itself, especially on the main road between Si Lom MRT station and the crossroads with Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road. During the three main days of the water festival, the road is completely closed to traffic. Although it would mean you would have all the celebrations on your doorstep, it would make it very difficult to get anywhere!
Wherever you stay for Songkran you will have an amazing time.
For those after a full three day rave extravaganza then the streets in and around Khao San Road are your best bet. There’s plenty of beds to choose from; from dorm rooms and guesthouses to upmarket hotel rooms. If you’re after a cheap bed right in the heart of the action, we had a fantastic, but very “cosy” night in a private room at the budget friendly BBHouse Phra Athit just off Rambuttri Street. For those looking for a little comfort, then why not check out the Nouvo Hotel, we’ve stayed at the hotel multiple times before and have always had a fantastic stay. We can imagine the view from their rooftop swimming pool down over the streets below would be phenomenal over Songkran!
Wherever you decide to stay in Bangkok, just be aware that beds can sell out extremely quickly, so make sure you book your accommodation well in advance of Songkran! We had to switch accommodation the day before Songkran started as our hostel we were staying in (the fantastic Lost Inn BKK) had sold out of rooms. We moved north, a little further away from the Old Town and managed to get a very comfy private room in the UMA Residence hotel in Dusit.
To see all the hotels, guesthouses and hostels available during your stay, just enter your dates of travel in our handy map below.
Where else in Thailand can I celebrate Songkran?
Songkran is not just limited to Bangkok. Across the whole of Thailand, celebrations take place. Some of the most famous festivities outside of Bangkok are in:
Chiang Mai
In Thailand’s second city, the Songkran celebrations extend for over a week. During this time, the festivities are mostly centered in and around the Old City Walls with the historic moats taking centre stage for some of the most intense water battles! During the week there are live music performances, street parades and splash zones set up outside of the Tha Phae Gate.
Pattaya
In Pattaya the Songkran celebrations centre along the Walking Street and Beach Roads which both effectively become one massive water fight. During the week you can find large EDM concerts, huge music festivals and foam parties held across the city. The celebrations are extended until the 19th April to coincide with the city's Wan Lai festival.
Phuket
In Phuket Songkran celebrations take place all over the island. For high-intensity water and music-filled celebrations head down to Patong Beach and Bangla Road. For those seeking a more laid-back, culture focussed celebration head to the historic streets of Old Phuket.
If you are planning to travel before or after Songkran, make sure you book your transport well in advance. We planned to head south to Nakhon Si Thammarat after the festivities and booked our tickets at the beginning of March a month before Songkran and even then, there were no buses left and only two seats left in 3rd class on a southbound train!
To book your transport tickets online and in advance, we would always recommend using 12Go.
Also remember to book your bed in advance too!
Final Thoughts
Songkran is one of those festivals you have to experience once in your life. As frequent visitors and absolute lovers of Thailand, Songkran has been on our bucket list for years. Finally after a lot of waiting we were able to experience it for ourselves!
We knew we would have fun, we knew it would be a party atmosphere, but Songkran exceeded everything and blasted our expectations way out of the water (see what we did there! Sorry not sorry).
If you have the chance to celebrate Songkran in Bangkok, make sure you do! We promise you won’t regret it. All we can say is dress up, have fun and respect the locals and wherever you decide to celebrate in Thailand, Happy Songkran!
🔫💦
Thanks for reading,
John & Ellie x
#adventuresofjellie
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