Top 10 Best Destinations to Celebrate Songkran in Thailand

Rowan (Guinness Bear) 7 min read

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You will never find a place that celebrates Songkran better than Thailand. Songkran Water Festival is one of the biggest annual celebrations in Thailand. It is a collection of epic water fights, lively parties, temple visits, street parades, and more. So, you will add more lifetime experiences from Thailand that you won't get anywhere else.

Think of a plan to visit Thailand in April to participate in this iconic Thai festival. Thailand’s Songkran celebrations are different from one city to another, and depending on where you're heading, you will expect modern and traditional festivities or a fun mix of both.

Now, I thought to break down the best destinations in Thailand where you can celebrate the exciting festivities this year. Keep reading until you reach my curated list of the Top 10 Best Destinations to Celebrate Songkran in Thailand.

In Thailand, What is Songkran?

‘Songkran’ means the “Passage of the Sun” in Sanskrit. Thai locals celebrate the Songkran Water Festival annually as a celebration of the Thai New Year. The festivities last three days, and it is a national holiday from 13 to 15 April.

Water is the main symbol of Songkran, and people believe water will wash away the previous year to prepare for the new year while bringing people together to begin the year with joy and happiness!

Top 10 Destinations in Thailand to Celebrate Songkran

#10 Phra Pradaeng

The Songkran festival in Phra Pradaeng is usually celebrated slightly later than in other places in Thailand. So, most of the celebrations will happen from April 19 to 21. The festivities, also called ‘Songkran Paklat’ among locals, will embrace you with beautiful parades of flowers, entertainment from live performers, and high-spirited water fights. 

To be highlighted, Phra Pradaeng’s Songkran has unique and beautiful traditional ceremonies by the local Mon people. If you are patient enough to wait until the end of the ceremony, you can join with the people from the villages to respectfully throw water at each other on their way back.

#9 Nakhon Si Thammarat

If you are fortunate enough to experience the Thai Water Festival uniquely, you will consider visiting Nakhon Si Thammarat in Thailand. The event specializing in Nakhon Si Thammarat is called Hae Nang Kradan, an event that can’t be seen anywhere in Thailand. Locals celebrate it to memorize an ancient Brahmin tradition from 1,300 years ago. 

In addition to parades and festivities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, you can enjoy several street food parties and some interesting fashion choices during Songkran. So, adding this amazing destination, which is just a short drive from Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) via Phetkasem Road to your Songkran travel list, may engage you with incredible events such as splashing water, bathing Buddha statues, a pagoda festival, marching bands, processions of Songkran, and beautiful musical performances.

#8 Hat Yai

The city of Hat Yai is getting ready for its spellbinding water festival this year with its pride in deep-rooted traditions. 

Unlike other destinations that celebrate the Songkran festival in Thailand, this incredible city provides a chance to have a distinct Songkran revel to its people by inviting its neighboring tourists to engage with this exuberant party.

#7 Ayutthaya

Thailand’s Songkran Festival is one of the wettest and wildest festivals to celebrate. A full-day tour of the historical city of Ayutthaya (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya) will provide you with many opportunities to enjoy this season. Thai culture is most famous for having fun, and the Songkran Water Festival in Ayutthaya is a collection of things of both religious significance and fun. As you already know, Ayutthaya is a less commercial and touristy city where you can have unique experiences by having mischievous elephants. 

At the beginning of Songkran in Ayutthaya, you can observe traditional practices and ancient customs that have been observed for centuries, like almsgiving to the monks at Wat Mongkhon Bophit. Next, you can participate in entertaining parades around the city and water fights everywhere.

#6 Koh Samui

The “Paradise of the Gulf of Thailand,” Koh Samui is a popular island that attracts many tourists to Thailand with its clear beaches and beautiful sea. Most importantly, the Songkran festival in Koh Samui is one of the most fun celebrations on this beautiful island. The days are enlightened with several Songkran events all around the major beach towns during mid-April of each year. 

All visitors to Koh Samui are welcome to turn up and join in on the fun by gathering at makeshift parties throughout the city. All participants will gain a family-friendly feel. Most travelers pay a visit to this island to spend their Songkran holiday as a family day, and they join together to splash water, see parades, and make merit in Thai traditional ceremonies. 

#5 Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen is in Northeast Thailand, where the Songkran festival lasts for five days. The festival season starts on 12 April and continues until 16 April, with plenty of exciting events and activities throughout the city. The main parade of Songkran takes place on the first day, with traditional music performances, dance, and colorful floats to show the pride of ancient customs and traditions. 

In addition to parades, you can participate in a number of beauty pageants, talent shows, and other cultural events throughout the festival. Moreover, if you’re a foodie, the good news is that you will meet many Thai food vendors and traditional Thai games at local markets in Koh Samui.

#4 Phuket

With the arrival of the month of April, Phuket is transformed into a lively and colorful arena with the Songkran festivities. As it is one of the most cherished traditions in Phuket, you will have the chance to engage with a unique blend of traditional and modern celebrations during the festival. In addition to live music, traditional Thai dance performances and abundant local delicacies will allow you to immerse yourself in Thai culture.

Phuket’s Songkran Water Festival is not just limited to the inland festivities. It is the perfect place to combine the fun of the water festival with beach relaxation, as Phuket has the world’s most beautiful beaches. So, if you want to keep your spirit of Songkran in a more laid-back setting, visit Phuket during the festival season.

#3 Pattaya

Songkran in Pattaya is a magnificent celebration of water, Thai tradition, and the spirit of community, and it attracts many visitors from across the globe. This amazing water festival is famous as one of the longest and most vibrant Songkran celebrations across Thailand, and it is locally called ‘Wan Lai.’ 

Interestingly, Pattaya becomes a bustling hub of joy during this time as everyone is armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses while preparing for friendly battles. Don’t forget to visit Pattaya Beach and The Walking Street in Pattaya, where most Songkran activities will occur, like water fights, music and dance performances, and foam machines. 

#2 Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)

Bangkok streets are transformed into vibrant scenes to enjoy the richness of Thai culture and its amazing water festivity, Songkran, starting with the dawn of April. The Bangkok Songkran symbolizes the Thai New Year, and it helps both locals and visitors immerse themselves in a tradition that is not only exhilarating but also meaningful. 

While the whole area of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) is filled with the joy of Songkran festivities, the following are considered epicenters of the Songkran celebration.

• Khao San Road
• Silom Road
• Sanam Luang

In addition to water fights, you can wash Buddha statues in temples, visit Thai restaurants for seasonal treats, and join colorful parades during the period. So, visit Bangkok during April to enjoy the most vibrant and festive times.  

#1 Chiang Mai

Finally, Chiang Mai is the best destination to celebrate the Songkran water festival, which has won a reputation for years. To prove that, you will have to participate in this year’s Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, and you will understand why you have chosen the best destination to celebrate Songkran, as it really ramps it up to the next level!

Accordingly, the Water Festival in Chiang Mai is considered the perfect travel festival in Thailand. Although the whole city comes alive and entertaining during the festivity, we must highlight some major hotspots for celebration. 

• Thapae Gate
• Nimmanhaemin Road
• The Old City Moat

To study the spiritual aspects of Songkran, you may visit local temples to see the convincing ceremonies that convey the festival's deeper meanings, such as cleansing and renewal. Most importantly, don’t miss out on the Miss Songkran pageant and the Songkran parade, which takes place on Charoenmuang Road.

Enjoy Songkran in Thailand's Best Places!

Have you decided to celebrate Songkran in Thailand this April? It is important for local Thai people and all visitors as it is a unique and interesting season. However, if you hope to visit Thailand to celebrate Songkran and if you are in search of the perfect destinations to enjoy the festivity, our curated list may give you some major insight into where to go.

So, be ready to pack your bags and let your calm spirit join with the happiness of Songkran celebrations in Thailand. However, remember to enjoy Songkran and have fun!