THAILAND’S WATER FESTIVAL
13 APRIL
Wan Sangkhan Lohng
To prepare for the upcoming year, this is
a day of washing away the old. Thais clean
their houses and cleanse Buddha images
in ritual ceremonies with jasmine-scented
water. The statues are paraded in a colourful,
musical procession through town
14 APRIL
Wan Nao
Locals spend much of this day eating with
family. They also visit temples to fashion
mounds of sand into mini pagodas, decorating
them with flowers and paper streamers, to
gain spiritual merit.
15 APRILWan Payawan
The first official day of the new year, this is
when people gather early in the morning at
temples to offer food prepared the previous
day, fruit, new robes and alms to monks.
Traditionally this was the day for playfully
sprinkling water over friends and family,
though nowadays all-out water fights take
place across the entire festival.16 APRILWan Paak Bpee
This is an important and special day, where
Thai people honour their ancestors and
respectfully pour scented water over the
hands of elders, who in turn give them
blessings. Every family congregates in their
homes to prepare and consume curries made
from the rather sickly-sweet jackfruit, whose
name in Thai translates as good luck.SURVIVAL TIPS
WATERPROOF EVERYTHING There’s no
avoiding a soaking during Songkran, so make
sure cameras, phones and any cash are safely
tucked away in impermeable bags.
DRESS FOR BATTLE Make sure that you’re
wearing clothes that won’t bleed colour or
end up entirely see-through. Water guns,
buckets, and bowls are all fair game and can
be refilled at free water stations and vendors
throughout the old town and moat area. Don’t
forget sun protection!
STOCK UP ON CASH All public offices,
including banks, close for several days, so ATMs
sometimes run out of money. Pick up plenty of
baht in advance but don’t carry large amounts
of cash on your person, as pickpockets can be
present in the crowds.
REMEMBER IT’S A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY
Travellers are welcome at temples where
important ceremonies are taking place. But
show respect by dressing conservatively.
Remove your shoes, don’t touch the monks and
avoid kissing until you’re off temple grounds.
And remember to wish everyone ‘sawasdee pee
mai’, happy new year.Chiang Mai’s streets
awash with revellersTHAILAND’S WATER FESTIVAL
SONKGRAN: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE
DAY BY DAY