Advertorial Your Guide to a Safe and Fun Songkran 2022

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Songkran, or the Thai New Year Festival, is celebrated by Thais across the globe between April 13th-15th. Traditionally, Thai people will travel to temples or head home to pour small bowls of scented water over Buddha statues (Song Nam Phra), as well as senior friends and family members (Rot Nam Dam Hua). This traditional act symbolizes the washing away of sins and misfortune in the past year and starting the new year afresh.

 

Even expats and visitors in Thailand can enjoy the celebrations as cultural events bring people together, and incredible travel destinations come alive with smiles, laughter, and happiness. It’s a special time for everyone to embrace the Thai concept of sanuk (having fun), which is at the forefront of the Songkran celebrations.

 

But with COVID-19 still around, things are a lot different. Are you looking for tips on staying safe and destinations to visit in Thailand during the festival? Our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand have put together a quick guide to make Songkran safe and fun for you in 2022.

How to stay safe during Songkran in Thailand

If you’re currently in Thailand, then count yourself lucky! You'll be spoilt for choice with so much to see, do, and experience. But before you get excited, be sure to note the following tips.

COVID-19 prevention measures

To avoid catching and spreading COVID-19, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing a face mask in public and cleaning your hands with a sanitizer or warm water and soap. Of course, social distancing is recommended, but this may be difficult to follow when out in public.

 

Try to avoid poorly ventilated areas if you can too. If you feel unwell (e.g. experiencing a headache, high temperature, tiredness, etc.), self-isolate and monitor your symptoms.

Test yourself for COVID-19 before traveling to see loved ones

Since you will be in the public domain or visiting family, it is also worth stocking up on Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) to test yourself before traveling. This will also help increase confidence among those you travel with or in those you plan to visit.

Stay hydrated and know what to wear

If you’re outdoors for a long time, you’ll also want to have water available to hydrate yourself, especially if you plan to drink alcohol during the day. Hydration will help your body regulate itself and ensure you don’t suffer a heat stroke or compromise your immune system.

 

Additionally, wear light, breathable clothing to aid your cooling and prevent your body from overheating! You’ll thank yourself for choosing the right outfit too. Temperatures in Thailand are at their highest during this time of year - around the mid-30s and up! It can get muggy from the early hours of the day until the evening. So you may want to have spare clothing to change into if you have multiple plans during the day.

Planning for a massive water gun fight? Check with the local authorities

Whether members of the public can engage in water fights has been widely debated due to the risk it presents of spreading COVID-19. And for this year’s festivity in the capital, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has mentioned it will comply with the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration's (CCSA) decision to prohibit water-splashing during the Thai New Year holiday period. While it is clear what the rules are in Bangkok, you’re encouraged to check with the local authorities to make sure that you celebrate responsibly and safely.

Watch out when driving on the roads

If you plan to travel on the roads, then be aware that Thai roads during Songkran see an increase in road accidents every year! Make sure you have insurance to cover yourself against third-party liabilities and health insurance should the unexpected happen. Nothing will bring you total peace of mind except having insurance coverage for your trip.

 

If you are unfamiliar with the roads, plan your trip carefully and know where the nearest petrol stations with services are. It may help to leave before the festival period to avoid the immense build-up of traffic along Thailand’s main highways. While it’s essential to keep to the maximum speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour on highways in Thailand, it’s also important to exercise caution and be aware of people’s driving behavior.

 

It can be difficult when many vehicles are on the road, but you should avoid tail-gating vehicles to give yourself enough braking distance. And if you find yourself being tailgated by another motorist, try to change to the inner lane when it’s safe to let them pass. This way, you don’t feel pressured into speeding up.

 

Zigzagging in and out of lanes on the highway should also be avoided as it may confuse other motorists. Ensure you switch lanes safely by signaling in advance and determining the right timing to cross over while keeping to the correct speeds.

Where to go during the Songkran festival period

You’ll be pleased to know that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting the ‘Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations’ and the ‘Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022’ in Ayutthaya and Songkhla. There will also be other Songkran festivities in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Samut Prakan.

Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations

TAT has organized Songkran festivities at 10 temples in Bangkok. Head to Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Rakang, Wat Suthat, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Prayun, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Mahathat, Wat Saket (Phu Khao Thong), and Wat Ratchabophit to experience the magic and beauty of Songkran. Visitors are welcome to participate in the Song Nam Phra activity (pouring scented water over Buddha statues). There will be other activities and memorable moments for locals and expats alike.

 

If you are looking for traditional culture and performances such as Khon masked dance, Thai-style antiphon singing, Thai puppet show, and demonstrations of authentic Thai dessert making and fruit carving, head to Wat Saket and Wat Ratchabophit between April 13th-15th.

 

The ICONIC Songkran Festival 2022

If you would like to combine shopping with the festivities of Songkran, then nowhere is worth going to than ICONSIAM from April 8-17th. You’ll find in and around the shopping center key festivities that focus on traditional and cultural aspects of Songkran, including Song Nam Phra and Rot Nam Dam Hua, kite displays, merit-making activities, and a replica of a Thai temple fair. Accessible by road, boat, or the BTS Gold line, you’ll surely appreciate the wonders of Songkran that the shopping center has to offer.

 

Phra Pradeang Songkran Festival 2022

This region outside of Bangkok happens to be where the local people traditionally observe Mon ceremonies and occurs later than the official Songkran period. From April 22-24th, Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan will feature a broad range of cultural activities, including a floral procession, a parade of the local Mon people in their colorful traditional clothing, a Miss Songkran parade, and more. Visitors are encouraged to join in the merit-making activities in the local temples, enjoy traditional folk plays and cultural performances, and feast upon the local cuisine of Phra Pradaeng.

 

Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022

For this year’s Thai New Year Festival, TAT has chosen Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram and Songkhla’s old town to host the ‘Songkran Music Heritage 2022’.

Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram

At Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram, the TAT has scheduled a wide range of aged-old rituals and celebrations, including the Song Nam Phra activity, building Chedi Sai or sand stupas, as well as demonstrations of handicraft products; such as weaving Pla-Ta-Pian fish mobiles from palm leaves (a symbol of good health and prosperity for the new year). If you are a performance enthusiast, there will also be traditional shows, such as Khon masked dance and Likay Thai opera theater. You’ll also come across a field of marquees selling handicraft products and a plethora of famous delicacies of Ayutthaya.

Songkhla’s old town

Once an important commercial trading center of Southern Thailand, the TAT has chosen Songkhla’s old town to host aged-old rituals and traditions, including Song Nam Phra activity and building Chedi Sai. Locals will make famous foods like Khao Yam or spicy rice salad and showcase the best of the province’s cuisine.

 

The old town will also be brightly illuminated to highlight the vibrant Sino-Portuguese-style houses and magnificent exteriors. Kites and brightly colored flags will adorn the town, combined with Chinese-style lanterns to promote the town's cultural heritage. Such a display of colors and tradition makes for a great Instagram moment if you’re looking to awe your followers! Head to Songkhla’s most photographed tourist attraction – the Golden Mermaid statue on Samila Beach while you’re there too!

Nam Thip Pi Mai Muang Chiang Mai

Delve deeper into the meaning of Songkran and culture in Chiang Mai by witnessing the ceremony of creating Nam Thip, or lustral water. The aged-old ritual was reintroduced by the TAT in 2021 using water from three sacred sources at Wat Buppharam, Doi Angkhang or Doi Inthanon, and the Ping River for the Coronation of King Rama X. This year, the ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 10th at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and visitors can register for a chance to receive a sample of the water.

 

Looking for expat health insurance plans or other types of health insurance for your time in Thailand? Pacific Prime’s highly-trained advisors can help you find and compare the best health insurance plan in Thailand for expats, while keeping to your needs and budget. Contact Pacific Prime Thailand for 100% unbiased insurance advice and a tailored plan comparison today!