Every April, Thailand transforms into a giant water playground as locals and tourists come together to celebrate Songkran (สงกรานต์) – the traditional Thai New Year. This festival, held annually from April 13 to 15, is not just about fun water fights. It’s a deeply meaningful holiday symbolizing renewal, respect, and family reunions.
So let’s get to know how and why Songkran is celebrated and how you can experience this beautiful Thai New Year as a traveler or as an expat in Thailand.
How Do You Say Songkran In Thai?
Songkran is a Thai word – it is the name of a Thai holiday which is the Thai New Year. It is pronounced as Sǒng-kran.
What Is The Meaning Of Songkran – The Thai New Year?
The word Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti (संक्रांति), meaning “to move,” signifying the transition into a new year and a fresh start. Traditionally, Songkran was a time for spiritual reflection, cleansing, and paying respects to elders and monks. Today, while it retains its cultural significance, it’s also known worldwide as the ultimate water festival, with entire streets turning into splash zones.
Water plays a central role in Songkran celebrations because it represents purification and renewal. The act of splashing water on others symbolizes washing away bad luck and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead. In addition to water fights, Thais also observe Songkran with temple visits, merit-making, and special ceremonies to honor their ancestors and elders.
How Do Thais Celebrate Songkran?
Wondering how Thais celebrate Songkran? Depending on where you are, you’ll see different ways of celebrating Songkran in Thailand. Here are some of the most common traditions explained briefly.
1. Throwing Water – Saad Naam (สาดน้ำ)
Perhaps the most famous aspect of Songkran, people of all ages take to the streets with buckets, water guns, and hoses to drench anyone in sight. In cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, major roads are closed to traffic and become dedicated water fight arenas!
2. Rod Nam Dam Hua Ceremony (รดน้ำดำหัว)
This is a more traditional and respectful aspect of Songkran. Younger Thais pour scented water over the hands of their elders as a sign of gratitude and to ask for blessings in the new year.
3. Temple Visits & Merit-Making
Many Thais take time to visit temples during Songkran to make merit. This can involve:
- Offering food to monks
- Pouring water over Buddha statues for purification
- Releasing birds or fish as an act of kindness
- Building sand pagodas (พระเจดีย์ทราย, phra chedi sai) at temple grounds, a symbolic way of giving back to the temple community
4. Smearing White Powder – Pa Paeng (ปะแป้ง)
Another fun tradition involves dabbing white clay powder on each other’s faces and cheeks. This originally had a protective and good luck significance, but today, it has become a playful part of the celebrations.
And here’s a podcast from Thai natives from different regions of Thailand on “How Thais celebrate Songkran,” discussing their local traditions and tracing back the rituals to Hinduism & Buddhism. Do tune in to it for a quick cultural trip down the road!
Must-Know Thai Phrases For Songkran
Want to join in on the Thai festivities and impress the locals? Try using these Thai phrases during the holiday.
| English | Thai | Transliteration | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Songkran | สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ | Sùk-sǎn wan Sǒng-kran | |
| Happy Thai New Year | สวัสดีปีใหม่ | Sà-wàt-dii pii-mài | |
| Wishing you good luck all year | ขอให้โชคดีตลอดปี | Khǎw hâi chôok dii talòot pii | |
| Want to splash water together? | เล่นน้ำกันไหม | Lên náam kan mái | |
| May I have your blessings? | ขอพรหน่อยค่ะ/ครับ | Khǎw phawn nòi khâ/khráp | |
| Safe travels! | เดินทางปลอดภัยนะ | Dern taang bplàawt pai ná | |
| Splash gently, please | สาดน้ำเบาๆ หน่อย | Sàat náam bao bao nòi | |
| So refreshing! | เย็นชื่นใจจัง | Yen chûen jai jang | |
| The water is super cold! | น้ำเย็นมาก | Náam yen mâak |
Pro Tip: You can find more interesting and culturally relevant phrases related to Songkran inside the Ling app’s Thai language learning course. Download now to get your hands on this limited edition feature!
Why Songkran Is More Than Just a Water Fight?
While the world often sees Songkran as an epic water battle, for Thais, it’s much deeper than that. The holiday is a time for family reunions, showing gratitude to elders, and starting fresh with a positive mindset.
Many people travel back to their hometowns to spend quality time with their loved ones, making it one of the most important holidays in Thailand.
Did You Know This Fact About The Thai New Year?
If you’ve ever seen Thai years written as 2567 or 2568 instead of 2024 or 2025, that’s because Thailand follows the Buddhist calendar, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. That’s how the Thai calendar works.
To convert a Buddhist year to a Gregorian year, subtract 543 years.
Example: 2569 (Buddhist Year) – 543 = 2026 (Gregorian Year)
To convert a Gregorian year to a Buddhist year, add 543 years.
Example: 2020 + 543 = 2563 (Buddhist Year)
Experience Songkran Like A Local: Tips For Travelers & Expats
Whether you’re in Thailand as an expat or a professional or traveling to Thailand during April, Songkran is the perfect time to embrace Thai culture and language. Here are some handy tips to make the traditional Thai New Year a memorable experience for yourself.
- Start by reading about Songkran to appreciate its cultural relevancy.
- You can spend some time learning Thai greetings and Songkran phrases like the ones mentioned in this post. Ling is a perfect tool to help you out and be your Songkran buddy.
- You can search for various Songkran events happening across Thailand.
- Learn about the traditions, and if you’re in Thailand, get ready to get wet!
What are the rules for Celebrating Songkran?
Here’s a to-do (and what not to-do!) list that you can follow:
- Respect is the key – avoid splashing monks, the elderly, babies, or motorcyclists.
- Use clean water to splash on people. Avoid throwing ice or dirty water.
- Wear lightweight, modest clothing. Ensure that you are not wearing any see-through outfits.
- Protect phones and valuables with waterproof bags. You can get them in local night markets for very cheap prices.
- Most importantly, embrace the fun but be mindful of safety and local customs while celebrating Songkran.
FAQs About Songkran – Thai New Year
What Is Songkran Celebrated For?
Songkran marks the Thai New Year, celebrated from April 13-15. It’s a time for cleansing, renewal, and family gatherings. Water symbolizes purification and washing away bad luck. Thai people visit temples, offer food to monks, and participate in massive water fights. This could be a fun and meaningful experience for travelers if they want to explore the local culture.
Is Songkran In Thailand Or Cambodia?
Songkran is Thailand’s traditional New Year, celebrated nationwide. However, Cambodia has its own version, the Khmer New Year, which happens around the same time. It is known by various names like, Choul Chnam Thmey, Moha Sangkran, or Sangkran. While both involve water-related festivities, Thailand’s Songkran is particularly famous for its large-scale street water fights, attracting travelers from around the world for this unforgettable experience.
Why Are There Water Fights During Songkran?
Water fights began from a respectful tradition of gently pouring water on elders and Buddha images to symbolize cleansing, renewal, and blessings for the Thai New Year. Over time, this ritual turned playful. Splashing water now represents washing away misfortune, cooling off in extreme heat, and celebrating together.
What Is The 3-Day Water Fight In Thailand?
Thailand’s 3-day water fight is Songkran, the Thai New Year festival held April 13–15. Cities turn into massive outdoor water battles using buckets, hoses, and water guns. Beyond fun, it’s tied to purification rituals, temple visits, merit-making, and family reunions, marking a fresh start.
Celebrate Songkran Like A Thai With Ling!
Thailand is a melting pot of culture and religion, and Thai holidays are some of the most unique opportunities to experience that up close. As an expat you get the best seats in the show to witness the beauty and liveliness of Thai rituals and traditions since you are already mingling with the locals. It’s up to you how you make the most of this opportunity served to you on a silver platter, sometimes literally.
For travelers, these Thai holidays like Songkran could be stepping stones into a deeper exploration of everything else that Thailand has to offer beyond the conventional sightseeing, hopping island tours, and shopping sprees. I am sure you wouldn’t want to lose this once-in-a-year opportunity. Head to your Google Play Store or App Store and download the Ling app now!
Wishing you a Sùk-sǎn wan Sǒng-kran (สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์) – happiness, health, and lots of fun this Thai New Year!
