The Thai New Year celebrations are accompanied by an attractive nationwide festival, the Songkran Festival (Songkran). Because of the many water activities that the Thais usually hold in it, it is sometimes also called the "Water Festival". This is a defining event in Thai culture when once a year, the whole nation becomes one big party site, with lots of street food, loud music and above all laughter and joy in the air. The holiday lasts 3-7 days (depending on the region in the country) and takes place in the middle of April (usually April 13-15).
According to the old Thai tradition, during those festive days the local residents (and the tourists who join them) usually pour buckets of water on each other, shoot water guns and water cannons, hold water shows and other activities that will not allow you to stay dry. The fun and wet celebration became over time a very popular tourist destination for many visitors from all over the world. In fact, every year, over half a million travelers come to participate in the festival, and the Thais welcome them with open arms and lots of splashing in the air.
For Thai citizens, it is a time of family reunification, visiting temples, performing religious ceremonies and rituals and, as before Passover, thorough cleaning of the house. The first day of the holiday is called the "National Elderly Day" and it is customary for the young people, as a sign of respect, to pour water into the hands of an elderly person (family member or Buddhist monk) and ask for his blessing. On the second day of the holiday, "Family Day", families gather to enjoy quality, relaxed time together. On this day, it is also customary for the citizens to wear colorful clothes and traditional costumes, and give various offerings to the clergy. On the third day the real celebration begins, mass water festivals begin to fill the country and there is no one who does not get wet.
Songkran festival celebrations throughout Thailand
Although the holiday is celebrated in one way or another throughout the country, there are several main centers where the most lively and attractive celebration for visitors is held:
Bangkok
Many Thais are found in bangkok, the big city, for work and study needs. During the holiday, most of them take a vacation and return to their families who live in the distant suburbs. It turns out that, miraculously, almost half of the city's population empties out and the tourists take up most of the volume in the wild celebrations. Most of the local businesses are closed: restaurants, shops, offices and banks. Yet The big malls remain open. The Thai capital is filled with party hubs (Bangkok has the largest number of New Year's parties). The most famous places for the celebration are through the Kawasan, the street of the backpackers, and Silom Road, a 5-kilometer road that is closed to vehicle traffic and becomes the most crowded and noisy site in the city.
In addition to the water celebrations, a large music festival (called S20), which takes New Year's celebrations to the next level. Well-known DJs from all over the world come to take part in the lively party. They make sure to excite the crowd of young people who come to the place to dance non-stop, while colorful fireworks crackle above their heads. The stages are huge and innovative, often 360 degrees. They are equipped with spectacular sound and lighting effects, and of course - large water cannons that spray the revelers. It is important to note that this is a very popular event, so if you are interested in participating in it you should order tickets well in advance.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Considered the most fun place to spend the holiday. While Bangkok earns the title of the city with the most parties, Chiang Mai's water parties are considered by many to be the wildest and most fun. The most popular place for celebrations in the city is Tha Pae Gate located in the old city. It is a 4-kilometer road that is one big water party (and battle arena). Side stalls will sell you street food and all the ammunition you will need for the wet war. This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience, the loud voices of laughter in the city streets far outweigh any music you will hear.
Phuket
Phuket It is a popular and much-loved tourist destination, so it is fitting that it will not disappoint during the Thai New Year celebrations either. the beaches And the main streets of the city are filled to the brim with crowds of revelers, locals and tourists, who hold non-stop water fights, accompanied by loud music and an atmosphere of fun life. Patong Beach It is undoubtedly the main destination of the celebrations in the city, where they are also located night life And the best bars that contribute the music and food to the party. In addition, colorful costume parades are held in the street, a bit like Carnival in Brazil.
Pattaya
Pattaya Known as the "party city" and therefore its residents are not satisfied with 3 days of celebrations, in Pattaya the celebrations last the whole week! For the benefit of the celebrations, the roads are closed to vehicle traffic and large music stages are set up, with foam cannons and other fun attractions. On April 19, when the rest of the country has already finished celebrating a long time ago, the biggest party in the city begins, or in its Thai name - "Wan Lai". As part of the celebrations, a 'Kong Khao' parade was held, which is dedicated to the god of rice. Many food stalls crowd the streets and the beaches of Pattaya, huge sculptures and colorful displays are erected every few meters. In addition, entertaining competitions and cultural shows are held throughout the city. All of these provide visitors with an authentic and particularly enjoyable traditional experience.
The most famous celebration site in Pattaya is theBeach road, which hosts a party that looks a bit like a pride parade: with many trucks playing music at full volume, dance stages, juggling shows, water from all sides - water cannons, water guns, water buckets and of course many happy and wet revelers.
Finally, some tips and rules that are important to know:
- Although this is a wild and mass water festival, there are well-known and accepted rules regarding the water fights in the streets: it is forbidden to splash water after sunset, it is forbidden to splash water on monks, pregnant women and children. It's really not worth trying to be clever and break the rules, beyond the fact that it can annoy the local residents, the Thai police make sure to be present at every place of celebrations.
- If you're less into getting wet, you should stay inside the hotel or hostel you're staying in during all hours of the day (there's almost no chance of staying dry if you go out to the street or the beach).
- The Water Festival and the Thai New Year celebrations are a very popular and popular event among tourists in Thailand, as a result, the accommodations are often full long before the event. worthwhile Take care of accommodation arrangements and transportation as soon as possible (planning the trip in detail and making online reservations), so that you don't get stuck without places or have to pay exorbitant prices.
- Be sure to bring equipment for the water fights with you - buckets, water guns, or anything you think will be of use to you. You can fill the water with the help of the locals on the streets (for free, they won't try to work on you), but the equipment is sometimes hard to find among the crowd (and believe us, you don't want to be left empty-handed).
- It's a good idea to equip yourself in advance with appropriate clothing (one that doesn't become transparent in water), closed shoes (there's a good chance you'll be stepped on in the crowd), a waterproof bag to keep your wallet and cell phone dry, sunglasses to protect your eyes from water, etc.
- You should avoid taking expensive objects with you to the celebrations, among the crowd there are also quite a few pickpockets.
