Get Soaked At Songkran

The adventure

April is the hottest time of year in Thailand, and Songkran is the perfect answer. The moment you step outside, someone soaks you: kids with buckets, grandmothers with bowls of iced water, pick-up trucks loaded with oil drums and water pistols cruising slowly through traffic. In Chiang Mai, crowds line the moat around the old city, scooping water straight out and throwing it at everyone who passes.

Under the chaos sits a gentler tradition. Water is a blessing, washing away bad luck for the year ahead. In the mornings people visit temples to make merit and pour scented water over Buddha images, and young people pour water over the hands of their elders to ask for their blessing. Then it's back into the streets, where music blares, strangers grin and white chalk paste gets smeared on your cheeks.

Why it’s epic

Chiang Mai's moat battles, the most famous Songkran celebration in Thailand.
Bangkok's Silom Road and Khao San Road, which become huge street parties.
Temple rituals of pouring scented water over Buddha images and elders' hands.
Songkran was added to UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.

What it is

Songkran is Thai New Year, celebrated with water fights.

How to do it

Chiang Mai and Bangkok have the biggest celebrations.

Top tip

Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.

Need to know

The national holiday is 13 to 15 April, but celebrations often start early and can last longer in some places.
Use a waterproof pouch for your phone and passport, and expect to be soaked every time you go outside.
Road accidents rise sharply during the holiday, so avoid riding scooters.
Throwing water at monks, babies or people clearly not taking part is considered rude.

Plan this trip

Rough cost: £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
Time needed: 3 days
Best time to go: 13 to 15 April
Fly into: CNX airport

Thailand is affordable, but flights and hotels in Chiang Mai and Bangkok cost more around the holiday.

Make it happen

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Why it’s on my list

Every year from April 13 to 15, the Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, takes place across Thailand. In addition to visiting local temples, people flock to the streets to take part in wide-ranging water fights. The throwing of water has traditionally been a sign of respect and well-wishing, as revellers hope to wash away bad luck.