✅ Updated on 15.04.2026
Meaning of the Songkran Festival
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, celebrated every year from April 13 to 15. It is tied to the moment when the Sun enters the first sign of the zodiac — Aries (in the sidereal system).
For more than 700 years, dating back to the Sukhothai Kingdom, Songkran was the official New Year in Thailand. However, on January 1, 1941, the country adopted the Gregorian calendar, and New Year’s Day was moved to January 1. Despite this change, Songkran has remained one of the most important traditional holidays in Thailand.
Origins of the Songkran Festival in Thailand
Thailand has been deeply influenced by India — this is where Buddhism and many cultural concepts originally came from. Even the word “Songkran” is derived from Sankranti, a Sanskrit term that refers to the moment when the Sun moves from one zodiac sign to another.
There are 12 such transitions throughout the year. In Thailand, the most important one — the Sun’s entry into Aries — was chosen as the beginning of the new year. In India, this moment has long been considered the start of the solar year and a key astronomical turning point.
Why Isn’t It March 21?
A logical question: if Aries begins on March 21, why is Songkran celebrated on April 13? The answer lies in two different zodiac systems.
March 21 marks the beginning of Aries in the Western (tropical) zodiac, which is based on the seasons. But April 13 corresponds to Aries in the sidereal system, which originated in India and is aligned with the actual positions of the stars.
The key reason for this difference is a phenomenon known as Axial Precession. The Earth slowly “wobbles” on its axis, like a spinning top, over a cycle of about 26,000 years. Because of this, the position of constellations gradually shifts relative to Earth.
The tropical system does not account for this shift, while the sidereal system does. As a result, there is now a gap of approximately 23–24 days between the two systems.
How Songkran Was Traditionally Celebrated
Traditional Songkran is all about cleansing and respect. People would gently pour water over the hands of elderly relatives and over Buddha statues as a sign of respect and symbolic purification from negativity and bad luck.
It’s also a time to visit temples, receive blessings from monks, and spend meaningful time with family.
You can still experience this traditional side of Songkran today, especially at temples like Wat Arun in Bangkok.
How Songkran Is Celebrated Today
Thais have done something impressive — they’ve turned a traditional holiday into a world-famous water festival that attracts people from all over the globe. Today, Songkran is best known for its massive water fights, where entire cities turn into playful battlegrounds.
Here are the most popular places to experience Songkran water fights across Thailand:
Bangkok
Pattaya
Chiang Mai
Phuket
At the same time, Bangkok hosts large-scale water music festivals, with stages set up near almost every major mall. The most famous ones are SIAM Songkran Music Festival and S2O.
How to Refill Your Water Gun During Songkran
At popular Songkran locations, you’ll find large water tanks with taps set up for refilling water guns. In most cases, it’s either free or costs around 5 baht.
Some people refill their guns from pools, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The water is usually chlorinated, and it’s not exactly pleasant if it gets into your eyes.
Why Do People Smear White Clay During Songkran?
This white paste is called Din Sor Pong. It’s made from pressed limestone mixed with talc, chalk, and a cooling powder.
In everyday life, it’s often used by people who spend a lot of time in the sun. They apply it to the skin to help protect against UV rays and absorb sweat.
During Songkran, it becomes especially popular. People gently smear it on each other as a sign of blessing and goodwill, but also just for fun. It’s a playful, social ritual and an easy way to break the ice. Sometimes, you’ll even see entire cars covered in this white paste.
FAQs
In 2026, alcohol was sold as usual, from 11:00 AM to midnight.
You’ll find water guns everywhere during Songkran, literally on every street corner. Prices typically range from 60 to 500 baht, depending on the size and power.
A popular place to shop in Bangkok is Sampheng Market. You can also buy everything in advance online via Shopee or Lazada.
The easiest solution is to use a waterproof crossbody bag or backpack. For your phone, you can buy a waterproof pouch, these are sold right on the streets for around 20–30 baht.
