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Songkran (Thai New Year Water Festival)

Name: Songkran (Thai New Year Water Festival)
Location: Thailand

When	Every year, 04-13 to 04-15 🟢 Confirmed
Where	Thailand
Cost	Free (street water fights); some organized venue events charge entry
Booking	Not required to attend

Summary

Thailand's New Year celebration, nationally known for city-wide water fights, especially intense in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

What to Know

Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year with water-throwing as a symbol of washing away bad luck. While the core dates are April 13-15 nationwide, some cities extend celebrations for up to a week, particularly Chiang Mai which is famous for its moat-side water battles.

Insider Tips

Bring quick-dry clothing and a waterproof pouch for your phone and cash — you will be soaked within minutes in any festival zone.
Decide your intensity level before choosing a base: staying near Khao San Road or the Chiang Mai moat puts you in the thick of it, while a short BTS ride away lets you dip in and out.
Respect the sacred side too — if you pass a temple ceremony or an elder being blessed with water, observe respectfully rather than treating it as another target.

Best Viewing Spots

Khao San Road, Bangkok — Backpacker epicenter with dense crowds and nonstop water fights.
Silom Road, Bangkok — Similar intensity to Khao San Road, with easier access to comfortable hotels.
Chiang Mai Old City moat — Considered the spiritual heartland of Songkran; sustained water fights along the moat for days, often stretching close to a week.
Patong Beach, Phuket — A more compact, beach-town version of the festival that peaks earlier and wraps up faster than Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

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Chiang Mai Flower Festival

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