Songkran: A Splashing Celebration

Anatta Blue Chankhunthod

April 18, 2025

Songkran, Thailand’s vibrant and exhilarating New Year celebration, is a national holiday loved by the nation and foreigners alike, while simultaneously being steeped in culture. Traditionally beginning on April 13 and lasting until the 15th, there are many activities to do during this 3-day celebration, ranging from traditional temple visits to more modern activities, such as a nationwide constant water fight. As of 1940, Songkran has been relieved of its position as Thailand’s official New Year’s Day, and has been replaced by the common date of January 1st. Despite this change, Songkran is still a beloved event, as it’s a national holiday that calls for days, and even weeks, off from school, work, and other responsibilities. 

As it’s known for its water festival, which involves splashing others with water in the name of renewal and cleansing for the coming of the new year, large major streets, such as Khao San Road and Silom Road in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, are closed and used as massive arenas for the water fights. These grand water festivals aren’t exclusive to the young, as both middle-aged and elderly adults frequently participate. Songkran takes place in April, which lands right in the middle of the “hot season” in Thailand, making the cooling water fights even more enticing. 

Alongside the fun activities, there are religious duties filled with symbolic meanings. Mornings during Songkran begin with merit-making, a key part of Buddhist culture that revolves around voluntarily participating in virtuous deeds to build up merit. Some commonly practiced examples of merit-making during Songkran are visiting local temples and offering food to the Buddhist monks, as well as pouring water on Buddha statues, the young, and the elderly, which represents washing away bad luck and sins. Another key aspect of Songkran tradition is returning home to family to pay respect to both the living and the dead, paying reverence to your ancestors. 

Songkran is celebrated in other countries as well, such as in northeastern parts of India, Bangladesh, Japan, and on the U.S territory of Wake Island. Songkran is a vital part of the Thai experience, as foreigners are always encouraged to participate in the festivities if they happen to be visiting Thailand during April. Songkran is renowned for its rich culture, as well as its modern celebrations, bringing people all around the world together.