Songkran 2025: Thailand's Water Festival Returns

[CharlieH]

Thailand's beloved Songkran festival is approaching, promising an even grander celebration in 2025. This traditional Thai New Year festival, officially running from April 13 to 15, combines sacred traditions with modern festivities that draw visitors from all over the world.

Songkran is Thailand’s main holiday period. During this time, many Thais return home to visit their families, perform sacred ceremonies, give alms to local temples, and wash away all the negative energy and bad luck of the previous year.

When is Songkran?

Although Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15, these dates are not set in stone, as certain regions extend their festivities for up to a week. In 2024, Thailand’s Ministry of Culture extended the festival from April 1 to 21 in celebration of UNESCO’s recognition of Songkran as an intangible cultural heritage of Thailand.

Key Festival Locations

 

Bangkok remains the festival's epicentre, with major celebrations taking place at Khao San Road, Silom Road, and Siam every year.

 

Two flagship events anchor the celebrations:

• Siam Songkran Music Festival (April 11 to 14) at RCA Bangkok, featuring global stars like Steve Aoki and Dimitri Vegas

• S2O Music Festival (April 12 to 14) at Rajamangala National Stadium, headlined by Alan Walker and Marshmellow

Beyond the Capital

But of course, Bangkok is not the end-all-be-all destination. Many cities around Thailand also partake in the festivities, with some provinces extending the celebrations way past the official date.

Waterfights in Pattaya take place up until April 19, with Beach Road transforming into a festival zone. Other notable locations include:

• Phuket: Celebrations at Kata, Karon, and Patong Beach

• Chiang Mai: Traditional festivities centred around Tha Pae Gate and the Old City Moat

Traditional Meaning

Although the water fights are what we look forward to the most, the Thai New Year is also deep-rooted in meaningful traditions:

• Song Nam Phra: Ritual cleansing of Buddha statues

• Rod Nam Dam Hua: Young people honour elders by washing their hands or feet

• Temple offerings and family gatherings

Originally, water was only sprinkled onto others but that has transformed into full-blown waterfights and music festivals. Some have accredited this shift to a move to influence tourism.

Essential Safety Guidelines

• Respect monks, elderly, babies, and uniformed officers by not splashing them

• Avoid targeting motorcyclists

• Use clean water only

• Carry valuables in waterproof bags

• Stay hydrated and celebrate responsibly

Whether you're joining the water fights or experiencing traditional ceremonies, Songkran 2025 offers something for everyone. Pack your water guns and prepare for Thailand's biggest celebration of the year.

 

 

Original article by The Thaiger

[MarkT63]

Oh Goody Goody gumdrops 😎

[Baht Simpson]

I can't believe it's only two months away.  Seems like the last one was only a few months go.

[shackleton]

Best time not to  be in Pattaya 

Years back in the 80s enjoyed it kids and family's having a good time

Now the alcoholics and pissheads ruining it 

 

[alex8912]

Hopefully Pattaya will get all 21 days April 1 to 21. 
Can't wait to hear from all the whiners who know this is coming a YEAR ahead of time and still will stay and hide under their beds and of course complain about getting wet 💦💦💦if they go outside.  Just enjoy! Great holiday. 

[KannikaP]

Why show in the OP a photo of what Songkran is NOT supposed to be about, half naked falang using a high power water gun.