Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, is a festival celebrated throughout Thailand in mid-April every year. Having lived in countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year, I’m used to the extra New Year celebration. But those have mostly been around February. This was mid-April.
It is a time for family reunions, religious ceremonies, and most notably, water fights! That’s right. In fact, I’m going as far as calling it the world’s biggest water fight. One of Thailand’s most popular places to experience Songkran is Chiang Mai, the country’s cultural hub in the north.
I was so excited to get to Chiang Mai for the first time. The fact that it was for Songkran was extra special. It was quite unfortunate though, that all of the focus leading up to my trip was the poor air quality in Thailand’s north. The seasonal agricultural burning was really taking its toll and some news reports claimed that Chiang Mai’s air quality was temporarily the world’s worst.
But I decided that I still wanted to go. This would still be special. It would be extra special though for the Thai population who had not really been able to enjoy this celebration in recent times due to Covid.
Water, Water Everywhere
First and foremost, Songkran is all about water. For three days straight, the streets of Chiang Mai are transformed into a giant water park, with locals and tourists alike drenching each other with buckets, water guns, and hoses.
The water fights are not just for fun, though; they are also a symbol of purification and renewal. Traditional customs involve sprinkling water on Buddha images and elderly relatives as a sign of respect and good fortune for the upcoming year.
The water fights begin in the morning and continue throughout the day, with the peak hours being from 11 am to 4 pm. The streets are closed to traffic during this time, and vendors set up stalls selling water guns, buckets, and even waterproof phone cases.
If you don’t come prepared, don’t worry – there are plenty of places to buy water weapons, and the locals are happy to share.
I just happened to be staying right in the middle of the action in the centre of the Old City area. The walled, moated Old City is Chiang Mai’s cultural heart, with centuries-old temple compounds. The lively Sunday Walking Street market features handicraft stalls and street performers. My hotel was right there on Walking Street.
The atmosphere during Songkran is one of pure joy and excitement. Everyone is in a festive mood, and the water fights create a sense of camaraderie among strangers. It’s not just the locals though. Chiang Mai was full of tourists who had obviously come prepared. Many were taking this really seriously and had some of the largest pump-action water weapons that I’ve ever seen.
I frequently saw groups of people on the back of trucks, armed with water guns and blasting music, driving through the streets and drenching anyone in their path. You also see people dancing, singing, and generally having a great time. At night there is live music and the normal partying that would typically be associated with any New Year’s festivities.
It Is A Cultural Experience Too
But Songkran is not just about water fights. There are also many cultural events and activities happening around Chiang Mai during the festival. One of the most popular is the parades, where elaborate floats decorated with flowers and religious symbols make their way through the city. These parades are accompanied by traditional Thai music and dancing, and it’s an excellent opportunity to see the country’s rich cultural heritage on display.
Chiang Mai is home to over 300 Buddhist temples, and during Songkran, many of them hold special ceremonies and events. One of the most famous is the Buddha procession, where a sacred Buddha image is carried through the streets, followed by devotees who sprinkle water on the image and ask for blessings.
Food is also a big part of Songkran, and Chiang Mai is famous for its street food. During the festival, the city’s many night markets come alive, with vendors selling everything from grilled meats to mango sticky rice. And of course, there are plenty of refreshing drinks to help you cool down from the heat of the day.
Come Prepared
If you’re planning to attend Songkran in Chiang Mai, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, wear clothes that you don’t mind getting wet in – you will get soaked! It’s also a good idea to wear a hat and sunscreen, as the sun can be intense during the day. This year was scorching.
And while the water fights are a lot of fun, remember to be respectful of others and their belongings. Some people may not want to participate, and it’s important to honour their wishes.
Although three children roughly 5 or 6 years old showed very little respect towards me as they chased me down the street and bombarded me with their super soppers. Another just threw a bucket of water over my head while I was buying a snack. Kids these days!
My stay in Chiang Mai was a short three days. The air quality didn’t seem to affect the celebrations and activities. There was a constant smokey smell in the air. But I’ve always been a person that hasn’t really noticed air pollution so for me it wasn’t such a big deal.
But for people living there, I know that this has been a challenging time with some experiencing health issues and with dwindling tourist numbers affecting local businesses. You could tell that people were happy to see tourists. I really hope that concerted efforts are being made to reduce this problem which by all accounts is getting worse every year.
Regardless, I know that I’ll be back. I did this trip on my own and I would love to share this experience with friends and family next time around. I really loved the city, the markets, the food and especially the people. If this is on your bucket list, then definitely plan to check it off. And while thinking of buckets, you may want to pack a couple of those, as well as all of the water-pumping weapons, dry bags and waterproof clothing that you can muster. You’ll have a ball.
I hope to see you there at Songkran 2024.