How to Celebrate Songkran: The World’s Largest Water Gun Fight
If you’re into chaotic once in a lifetime experiences and water guns, then Songkran is the perfect addition to your bucket list. Songkran is officially the Thai New Year celebration but with a watery catch; 3 days of non-stop splashing across the entire country. Although there a major celebrations in each of the big cities, Chiang Mai is the place you want to be. Follow this survival guide for all the best tips for celebrating the insanity that is Songkran in the best city!
What/When is Songkran?
The mighty water festival is celebrated across Thailand annually from April 13th – 15th. However, don’t be surprised if celebrations continue throughout the week in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Songkran is rooted in Buddhist traditions and is considered a time to cleanse, renew, pay respect. Originally these ceremonies were performed by gently sprinkling scented water on Buddha statues and family members. But leave it to the Thai to transform it into the world’s largest water war. While you can still spiritually celebrate Songkran at any of the infinite temples around the country, Songkran has now evolved into an insane water gun fight with partying extending into the night. It has no become a wild festival on par with international festivals like La Tomatina, but with less tomatoes and much, much more water.
Where Should You Celebrate Songkran?
While most major cities throw wild celebrations, in our opinion (and from local’s advice) Chiang Mai is the best place to celebrate Songkran. Bangkok will have festivities along the Silom and Khoa San RD, but it gets so crowded that it’s almost impossible to even move through the crowd. Phuket adds a similar vibe with a beach party twist, but the atmosphere in Chiang Mai remains superior as the cultural heart of Songkran. In the next section, we’ll show you exactly where to party in Chiang Mai.
Best Places in Chiang Mai for Songkran Activities
While it will be almost impossible to avoid it, there are a few designated areas in Chiang Mai where you can enjoy the fun and chaos of Songkran.
- Chiang Mai Old City Moat – The area along the moat that surrounds the Old City area becomes a massive battle ground, where buckets of water, hoses, water guns, and truck beds filled with hooligans throwing water as they pass by revel in the moment. Don’t walk through here if you’re not ready to get wet.
- Tha Phae Gate – Tha Phae gate becomes the epicenter of events with music blasting on stages in the vicinity until 8 or 9pm each day. There are also street parties with live concerts, DJs, and even foam machines!
- The Parade – Traditional processions will go along Rachadamnoen Rd, Nimmanhaemin Rd, and by the Three Kings Monument where you can find elaborate floats, dancers, and horseback riders on the first day of the holiday.
- Wat Phra Singh – Many temples will have small Buddha statues to pour water over but Wat Phra Singh will have the main religious events, with monks performing spiritual rituals during the day.
- Water Fight Zones – The Maya mall, Kad Suan Kaew-mall, and other locations will have designated water zones with live music and water fights with special access!
- The Streets – Most of the bars, shops, and restaurants will also setup barrels of water in front on their store so be prepared for spontaneous water fights to break out anywhere! If there’s one guarantee in Songkran, it is that you well get WET.
Essential Items
- Water Gun – Get ready for war with your very own water gun! You can purchase it from one of the thousands of vendors at each corner.
- Waterproof Phone Case – Nothing is safe from getting wet so make sure your phone is protected!
- Swim Suit – Your clothes will get drenched so if you want something dry stay inside.
- Colorful Floral Shirt – Everyone wears fantastically colorful button down shirts so but some for yourself too!
- Sunscreen – It is extremely hot and humid in Chiang Mai during this time, so be prepared against the sun.
- Waterproof Bags – Keep your stuff away from the moisture in a dry bag!
- Goggles – It may look foolish, but it’s better than getting blasted with questionable water and being blinded.
- Water Shoes or Sandals – Your shoes will get drenched so have a backup pair or sandals for the festivities
Top Tips for Songkran
Songkran is a wild and fun festival but make sure to follow these tips for the best experience:
- Book accommodations far in advance – Despite being right before the rainy season, Thailand becomes very expensive during this time period. Be sure to book flights and hotels at least 6 months in advance
- Stay central – Be sure to book hotels in the city center for easy access to the action and to avoid the traffic. We stayed at Viangluang Resort in Old Town and it was in the center of most landmarks and walking distance to everything.
- Carry water bottles – Aside from staying hydrated, you can use them to fill up your water gun! There are many filling stations (barrels of water) in front of many shops too.
- Don’t use the moat water – The water around Old Town is questionable at best and filthy at worst. Avoid getting it in your eyes and mouth while you’re in the area.
- Wear Goggles – I highly recommend putting goggles on to give you an edge during intense water fights. Trust me constantly getting water splashed into your eyeballs becomes a pain real quick.
- Sightseeing – If you want to explore the major attractions around the city…this is the wrong time. As soon as you step outside you should expect to get wet. If you want to stay dry for the temples, go to ones outside the Old City or early in the morning. Visiting an elephant sanctuary is also another unique option.
- Have cash – Credit cards are not often accepted at street vendors so carry some cash and other valuables in a waterproof pouch.
- Be Respectful – Stay mindful that this is a spiritual celebration as well as a new years festival so respect the customs and don’t splash the elderly, monks, or motorcyclists. Don’t be overly aggressive with water either. No one likes those annoying drunk tourists.
- Don’t forget to visit some temples – Don’t get lost in the madness of the water gun fights and miss out on the true cultural essence of Songkran! Many temples and shrines will have scented water to pour over Buddha statues for good luck. Don’t forget to make a wish!
Our Songkran 2025 Experience
Songkran is one of the craziest international festivals we’ve been to. It’s everything you’d expect from the world’s largest water gun fight. It perfectly represents the joyous and fun loving nature of Thai people. We arrived in Chiang Mai the morning of the 13th in hopes to get in some sightseeing before the festivities, we managed to visit a few temples but by 1pm people had already armed themselves with massive water guns and gave no mercy. Just walking across the street along the moat was an invitation for everyone to blast you with water so we had no choice but to jump in on the fun.
We prepared out dry bags and waterproofed our cellphones and headed into the madness. We purchased 2 big water guns for about 22 Baht and walked along the moat, getting doused with buckets of water, hoses, and endless amounts of water guns. The temperature was brutally hot so the water was quite refreshing. We then headed to Tha Phae Gate to catch some of the parade and more water fights. There was a stage set up behind the gate and the crowds of people were thick. But everyone was dancing to the musical performances and have a great time. When it began downpouring we hardly noticed since we were already soaked. The performances ended around 9pm so most people stop splashing around then as well.
The following day was proceeded by more water gun fights after our epic day trip to an elephant sanctuary and the notorious Sticky Waterfall. We enjoyed hours of Songkran before things got a little rowdy. Many tourists were a lot more aggressive with throwing water which turned day 2 into a hectic frenzy. Probably since instead of city wide participation, the water wars were more concentrated in specific areas. By day 3 we were over it and avoided the buckets of water like the plague before flying out to Phuket.
Overall, Songkran was an amazing once in a life time experience that should be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list. Its a celebration steeped in cultural Buddhist traditions and the vibrant party atmosphere that embraces the dichotomy of Thailand. If bringing out your inner child with a massive water gun fight sounds fun, then this is one festival you won’t want to miss. Maybe 3 days of constantly being drenched and blasted with water is a bit much, but 1 or 2 days is perfect. For more of the top things to do in Chiang Mai check out this post. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Check out all the madness of Songkran 2025 in Chiang Mai here!
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