Songkran, Thailand's New Year in mid-April, is the country's biggest and most physical festival — genuinely different from most travellers' expectations of a "cultural festival."
What it actually is
Traditionally a water-blessing ritual to wash away the past year's bad luck, Songkran has evolved into a nationwide, multi-day water fight — main roads in tourist areas like Patong effectively become open water-battle zones for several days running.
What to expect
Expect to get completely soaked the moment you step outside in a tourist area during Songkran — locals and visitors alike use water guns, hoses and buckets on essentially anyone passing, with good humour on all sides.
Practical tips
- Waterproof phone pouches are essential, not optional, if you're heading into any main street during the festival
- Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting soaked, and that dry quickly
- White or pale, thin clothing can become see-through when wet — worth factoring into what you wear
- Some visitors choose to base themselves somewhere quieter (like Rawai or Nai Harn) and visit Patong deliberately for the water fights, rather than staying in the middle of it for several days straight
Exact dates and the intensity of celebrations can vary slightly by year and area — see our festivals guide for the broader yearly calendar.