Songkran Festival 2019: Celebrate Thai New Year Like a Local

All good backpackers know the most popular Songkran festival in Thailand happens in Chiang Mai, but travelers who want to see a more traditional Thai New Year celebration should venture off the beaten path and celebrate Songkran like a local. Thailand’s famous water festival takes place from April 13 to 15 and marks the beginning of the solar new year. Learn about Northern Thai, or Lanna, culture in Lampang, or discover the Isan way to celebrate Songkran in Khon Kaen. Venture to the southern regions of Ko Samui and Hat Yai to find traditional performances, international gatherings, religious ceremonies and parades along the beach.

1. Celebrate Songkran 2019 in PHRAPRADAENG | Samut Prakan

Celebrate Songrak in Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan by participating in festivities showcasing traditions of the Mon people, a Burmese ethnic group native to Myanmar’s Mon State. Located less than one hour south of Bangkok by bus, Phra Pradaeng observes ancient traditions through a grand floral parade and a lively procession of swan and centipede flags. Other highlights of the festival in include kalamae (sticky coconut candy) cooking demonstrations, Mon art exhibitions and local games of saba, a traditional Mon game for youth.

Things to do in Samut Prakan during Songkran

• Ancient City (Muang Boran)
• Bang Namphueng Floating Market
• Wat Asokaram
• Bang Pu Recreation Center & Seaside Park
• SamutPrakarn Crocodile Farm & Zoo

How to get to Phra Pradaeng Municipality Building

Check In to Carnation Residence, Step Out to Phra Pradaeng

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2. Join a human wave & celebrate Songkran at DOK KHUN SIANG KHAEN Songkran Festival | Khon Kaen

Highlighting the Isan way of life, the Dok Khun Siang Khaen Songkran Festival celebrates culture and tradition on Sri Chan (Sticky Rice) Road. Join Thai and Laos locals in a “human wave” while parading through the neighborhood. Expect to get a cool splash of water at some point, and listen for traditional music played on the khaen, a wooden pipe flute known for its harmonic sound. Visitors also enjoy watching the crowning of Miss Dok Khun Siang Khaen and a colorful procession honoring the dok khun (yellow flower), a symbol of good luck and the national flower of Laos.

Things to do in Khon Kaen for Songkran

• Bueng Kaen Nakhon city park
• Phu Wiang National Park
• Had Sawan beach
• Phu Pha Man National Park
• King Cobra Village

How to get to Sri Chan Road in Khon Kaen

Check In to Ocean View Khonkaen Hotel, Step Out to Bueng Kaen Nakhon

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3. Celebrate 7 cultures at DELIGHTFUL THAILAND-LAOS NEW YEAR CELEBRATION | Nakhon Phanom

Splash with seven diverse ethnic groups from Thailand and Laos on the banks of the Mekong River in a joint Songkran festival at Naga Monument (Lan Phanom Naga). Build a sand pagoda and join bathing ceremonies at nearby temples, which include Wat Okat and Wat Pho Sri, where locals honor monks by scooping sticky rice off the streets and presenting it during an almsgiving ritual. Cheer on this year’s winner of the Miss Songkran pageant while indulging in cross-cultural street food at Nakhon Phanom Rainbow Market. Also enjoy handicrafts booths, traditional dance and music – and of course, plenty of water fights. Religious ceremonies and festivities take place at Phra That Phanom Temple, about 45 minutes south in That Phanom.

Top things to do in Nakhon Phanom during Songkran

• Nakhon Phanom River Walk
• Ho Chi Minh’s House and Ho Chi Minh Museum
• Wat Okat
• Indochina Market (2545)
• Mekong Underwater World

How to get to Naga Monument in Nakhon Phanom

Check In to Na That Panom Place Hotel, Step Out to Phra That Phanom Temple

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4. Help fill a giant silver bowl during SALUNG LUANG SONGKRAN FESTIVAL | Lampang

Dressing in traditional Lanna (Northern Thai) style, participants in Salung Luang Songkran Festival in Lampang parade a giant silver bowl around the city so locals can fill it up with turmeric and acacia water. The ceremonial water is then poured on the revered Buddha enshrined at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, where most Songkran festivities happen. Join locals for traditional music and entertainment as well as sand pagoda-making and splashing water – using any means available!

Popular things to do in Lampang for Songkran

• Thai Elephant Conservation Center
• Kad Tung Kwian Market
• Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
• Wat Kaew Don Tao Suchadaram
• Doi Khun Than National Park
• Chae Son National Park

How to get to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

Check In to Lampang Green Garden Resort, Step Out to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

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5. ‘Donate’ together at SONG NAM OI TAN in Sukhothai

Gather with locals at Si Satchanalai Historical Park to celebrate Songkran in the first Kingdom of Thailand. The historical celebration commemorates an ancient inscription that designates the people of Sukhothai as having high moral standards and observing the principles of “donating,” or oi tan. Watch a Songkran parade and join local activities at Si Satchanalai Historical Park for this year’s Songkran festival, which takes places from April 8 to 12.

Top 5 things to do in Sukhothai during Songkran

• Sukhothai Historical Park
• Si Satchanalai Historical Park
• The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
• Ramkamhaeng National Park
• The Holy Heart Land – Talayluang

How to get to Si Satchanalai Historical Park in Sukhothai

Check In to Baan Silapa Silalang HomeStay & Art Gallery, Step Out to Si Satchanalai Historical Park

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6. Spend three days in the deep south at HAT YAI MIDNIGHT SONGKRAN FESTIVAL | Hat Yai

Between 10 a.m. and midnight for each day of Songkran, Hat Yai celebrates with traditional activities, music and street food on Nipatuthit 1, 2 and 3 roads and on Saneha Nusom Road. Religious ceremonies, like blessing elders and making merit, take place at Wat Hat Yai Nai.

Popular things to do in Hat Yai during Songkran

• Kim Yong Market
• Samila Beach
• Ton Nga Chang Waterfall
• Ko Yo island
• Greenway Night Market

How to get to Nipatuthit 1 Road in Hat Yai

Check In to Hansa Venetian Hotel, Step Out to Wat Hat Yai Nai

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7. Go traditional – or get wet and wild – for Songkran in KOH SAMUI | Suratthani

For traditional music and more low-key celebrations, join locals for Songkran in Nathon Town. This west coast village enjoys water splashing in the street, but visitors won’t find an all-out water war, like the ones that take place on the east side of the island. For beaches, pools and all-night foam parties, head to Chaweng or Lamai, where clubs and bars near The Green Mango Club mix guests into all the action. Families can find safe havens – with plenty of fun water activities – on Bophut Beach and Maenam Beach. The biggest celebrations in Koh Samui take place on April 13, the first day of Songkran.

Top 5 things to do in Samui

• Hin Ta Hin Yai scenic viewpoint & natural rock landscape
• Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
• Big Buddha
• Chaweng Beach
• Secret Buddha Garden or Magic Garden

How to get to Koh Samui in Suratthani

Check In to Chaba Samui Resort, Step Out to Chaweng

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8. Watch a Hindu parade & visit a Buddhist temple at SONGKRAN NANG DAN PARADE | Nakhon Sri Thammarat

Locals in Nakhon Sri Thammarat celebrate Songkran in a unique way which honors the diverse cultures of this southern Thai province. Water play takes place only on New Year’s Day (April 13) for the annual festival, and traditional ceremonies are performed at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. Make a miniature sand pagoda, eat street food and watch the Nang Dan Parade, a procession honoring three Hindu gods. The parade ends at Sanam Na Muang Public Park and is followed by a rousing sound and light show.

Things to do in Nakhon Sri Thammarat

• Khao Luang National Park
• Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
• Khiriwong village
• Ao Khanom Municipal District
• The National Museum of Nakhon Si Thammarat

How to get to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Sri Thammarat

Check In to The Tide Resort, Step Out to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan

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