Every year, Thailand has countless interesting festivals, but the most prominent in April is the traditional Songkran water festival, where people freely splash water on each other and enjoy endless fun. To be more precise, Songkran is the traditional New Year of Thailand, held on the first day of the year according to the Buddhist calendar to welcome the new year.
Here are 12 reasons why you should experience Songkran for yourself at least once in your life! It will definitely be one of the most vivid experiences of your life.
1. You become a kid again
It doesn't matter if you're 8 or 80. People get in on the fun regardless of age, which is the best part about Songkran.
You will see elderly water shop owners pouring buckets of ice water on passersby, middle-aged men armed with giant and colorful water guns, young people dancing on pickup trucks while throwing buckets of water in the air, large families with 3 generations having a water fight with the people around them in a carefree and joyful manner. It is not an exaggeration to say that everyone feels like they are back to their childhood and living like a child again!
It was so exciting to see the whole nation come together and have fun, regardless of age. This created a very special festival atmosphere that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
2. Cool down in the intense April heat
"Sabai, sabai" is a phrase that Thai people often say to express happiness. And this is the phrase that tourists often hear Thai people say the most when playing water games together in the scorching April heat.
April temperatures here typically range from 35-39 degrees Celsius. For comparison, we can take Singapore's record high temperature of 36 degrees Celsius, recorded in 1998.
But if you are participating in Songkran, you don’t need to worry about the heat! There are countless vendors selling ice blocks along the streets during Songkran, and festival-goers can take advantage of this to beat the heat.
3. Dance parties everywhere
No festival would be complete without music and dancing! Especially a festival as watery and fun as Songkran!
Every five minutes you walk down the street, you will come across a dance party that takes on all forms, from large concerts where famous Thai bands perform on colorful stages, spontaneous dance zones around loudspeakers blasting EDM music, to locals grooving to traditional Thai music during the New Year procession.
Visitors can easily catch a glimpse of a clown carrying a water gun dancing sexy salsa next to an elderly woman dancing traditional Thai dance in the middle of the festival. Really interesting!
4. The crowd was happy and loving
Thai people really know how to relax and enjoy life, it's like it runs in their blood. They are always cheerful and happy.
No one is a stranger during Songkran, and everyone’s main goal is just to have fun. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, everyone plays together and there’s no prejudice. By the end of the day, you’ll feel like your friend list has multiplied.
5. Free makeup
Face and neck painting is one of the oldest traditions of Songkran. The chalk applied to the body is seen as a sign of protection and to ward off evil. And don’t worry, the chalk is harmless and washes off quickly during the water fights!
During festivals, sometimes strangers will suddenly run up and smear this white powder all over your face, so be prepared!
6. This festival is the place to burn calories!
Giant water guns are heavy and you need to have enough arm strength for this long fight. You will also burn tons of calories chasing kids and even adults on the street who splash you with water, dancing to the pounding EDM music at music parties and screaming with excitement every time someone splashes you with water.
7. You will never go hungry
There is food everywhere! After all the chasing and splashing around on the streets, you will be hungry in no time. But don’t worry, there are tons of street food on the streets to serve you.
Festival food is plentiful, from delicious crepes to Thai mango sticky rice and every other wonderful Thai food you can think of. You will definitely take in more calories than you burn!
8. New Year's procession
The New Year procession in Chiang Mai Old City is one of the most fun, colorful and culturally rich festivals many people have ever witnessed.
With large, brightly colored floats bearing Buddha statues, students from ethnic universities wearing costumes with colorful banners, local beauty queens and burly men trying to look their best in the procession. But they will also be the most hilarious and mischievous when they join in the water fights in the streets right after.
9. Deeper understanding of Thai culture and Buddhism
Experiencing Songkran is a fun way to gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture and Buddhism.
The pouring of water symbolizes washing away misfortunes to usher in a new beginning. As the Buddha statues are carried through the streets, locals rush to wash the statues with scented water from their silver bowls and have them sprinkled with holy water by monks.
Songkran is more than just a fun festival. It is an important occasion for Thai people to come together and pay respect to their elders, celebrate their culture, and spend quality time with family and friends in the joy of welcoming the new year.
10. Your water gun will never be empty
The water gun battles seem to go on forever, with colorful guns always filled with water. A moat surrounds the old city of Chiang Mai, providing everyone with the water they need to engage in battle. You’ll feel better knowing that the government has cleaned it of all harmful insects.
Even if you leave Chiangmai, there are always kind and friendly locals who will invite you to their large water tanks and garden hoses to refill your empty water guns.
11. The strangest, most unbelievable event
During Songkran, you will get free coins for completing small challenges. You will even see naked or semi-naked men performing on a big stage to the delight of the crowd. Yes, it is crazy!
12. a festival of joy
Those who have participated in Songkran say that they have never had so much fun in their entire lives. And most of them affirm that they will definitely come back here and experience this kind of fun festival again.
Songkran is special because you can get drenched in happiness while celebrating culture and love.
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