Are you going to be in Phuket around mid April? Or in fact anywhere in Thailand? Lucky you, you’ll be there for the Thai festival of Songkran. We experienced this last year and had a whole heap of fun but weren’t quite clued up on what would happen. So I really wanted to write this post for visitors about to experience Songkran Festival in Phuket to show you exactly what it’s like and what you should be aware of.
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List of Contents
- 1 What happens during Songkran Festival
- 2 When is Songkran this year
- 3 How long do the Songkran festivities last in Phuket
- 4 Top spots to celebrate Songkran festival in Phuket
- 5 Is everything closed during Songkran festival in Phuket
- 6 Why does Thailand celebrate Songkran
- 7 Tips for an enjoyable Songkran Festival in Phuket
What happens during Songkran Festival
Songkran is also known as the water festival and yes, it does involve a lot of water. Songkran appears to be a game of two halves. There’s the slightly bonkers country wide water fights, parties and face powder and the more traditional festivities which involve blessings, Thai Dancing and elaborate Thai Dress. Both are brilliant cultural experiences.
Many people wear Hawaiian shirts as their party clothes and it just makes everywhere seem super colourful. Don’t worry if you’ve left yours at home, you’ll easily pick one up in the markets.
Traffic around the busier parts of Phuket is awful during Songkran, especially after dark. Either plan on walking everywhere (and getting wet) or just accept you wont be getting anywhere quickly.
Many business will offer Songkran “special deals”. We received free tickets for Fuga Beach club in Patong with a few free drinks included and had a great night on the second day of Songkran away from the water fights.
Songkran water fights
If you’re walking the streets in Phuket between 13th and 15th April, there’s really no way to avoid the many, many water fights going on. Everyone seems to have huge super soaker water pistols, hoses or just massive buckets of water. No one is safe, you’ll get sprayed as a local, tourist, young or old. Yes, this can feel a bit intrusive as a tourist but don’t take offence, it’s done with love, grab your own water pistol and get involved.
If you want to avoid getting wet totally then it’s probably best to stay in your hotel. Or only venture out during the morning. But if you don’t mind a bit of splashing, find a bar on the side of a street and watch the hilarity unfold. You’ll see groups chasing each other, people on the back of mopeds holding massive super soakers and even some hanging off the back of bin lorries to secure a better position.
There is always a good police presence in the busiest parts of Phuket during Songkran. They do get involved and have fun but will step in if required.
The relevance of water activities comes from the traditional celebration of sprinkling water on each other to cleanse, bring good luck and prosperity and wash away bad luck.
Songkran Powder
Traditionally water has been mixed with a white powder (like talcum powder) to create a paste. An older person then applies this to a younger persons face or neck to ward off evil. This has progressed to a more colourful paste being applied to and by anyone and everyone. You may be walking along the street and a stranger will apply it to your face which can feel very invasive. We’re just not used to being touched by people we don’t know and it can feel really disturbing to kids. Remember, it’s all part of the celebrations, and you can keep your head down to avoid it.
There has been talk of this powder being banned – watch this space.
Are the Songkran celebrations suitable for kids
Thai kids absolutely love Songkran, they get fully involved in the water fights, splashing in the puddles and gleefully soaking any passers by. Your kids however may not be quite as enthusiastic. We’re not used to having buckets of water thrown over us by complete strangers. It can be a very cold shock to the system during one of Thailands hottest months. Test how your kids will cope by venturing a short way out of your hotel. The outskirts of the busier areas tend to feel less aggressive. If your children can’t handle a small squirt, they’re going to hate the chaotic main streets so just head back to your hotel.
Songkran streets are also extremely busy which can be very overwhelming for little ones. Keep a tight hold of them if you do venture out. They are particularly popular targets for revellers.
We were in Patong for Songkran and my 13 year old daughter absolutely loved getting soaked, walking the streets and getting swept up in the pure joy of the festivities. However our friends children who are a couple of years younger than Piper really hated it, heading back to our hotel early. You probably wont know unless you try but don’t force the kids to take part. A wet and miserable kid is even harder work than a dry one.
A more traditional Songkran
If you don’t fancy getting involved in chaotic waters fights or being covered in colourful powder, you can still get involved with the more traditional side of Songkran. If you are staying in a large hotel or resort you’ll see them getting ready for Songkran in the run up to the festival.
We stayed at the Diamond Cliff resort and took part in a lovely blessing. We also watched traditional Thai dance and drumming, following the procession around the hotel.
Once the formal traditions had been completed, the hotel organised some simple games to entertain the guests. Everywhere really does feel like a huge celebration.
If your hotel isn’t organising any Songkran celebrations then you can attend one of the many tradional processions or floral parades. Most public parks and temples will also be celebrating with traditional dancing.
The Buddhist temple Wat Chalong also has many traditional Songkran activities. You can take part in a merit-making ritual and enjoy Songkran at a far slower (and drier) pace.
When is Songkran this year
Songkran takes place on the 13th April and the holiday lasts until the 15th April.
How long do the Songkran festivities last in Phuket
In some areas people will begin celebrations like putting up decorations and digging out water pistols a little earlier and continue on for a few days after it has officially ended. In Patong for instance, it seemed to last almost a week.
Top spots to celebrate Songkran festival in Phuket
I think Phuket is one of the craziest places to celebrate Songkran in Thailand. With Bangla road being the epicentre of the hedonistic festivities.
Phuket Town is where you’ll find the excellent Songkran Parade. Here you can watch the many decorated floats, dance performances and locals dressed in traditional Thai outfits. Don’t worry, there’s a water fight here too.
Patong is the place to go for the ultimate Songkran party. The streets around Bangla road and Jungceylon are like a never ending water fight and there is live music and lots and lots of drinking. It’s fun and incredibly chaotic.
Karon and Kata are also home to some incredibly impressive water fights. Again, these are party areas so you can expect a great night out.
Is everything closed during Songkran festival in Phuket
Most businesses close for Songkran in Thailand. Office workers return home to spend the holidays with their families. It’s a lot like what we’re used to at Christmas. Most shops, bars and restaurants do remain open, it’s one of the hospitality industries busiest times. If you are travelling over Songkran you will be able to get flights, trains and boats. Just remember everywhere will be very busy so just arrive with plenty of time.
Why does Thailand celebrate Songkran
Songkran is basically Thailands New Year. Rather confusingly for us Westerners, the Thai calendar is based on the lunar calendar and is around 540 years ahead of our calendar meaning they really are living in the future. Ha ha! However most Thais use the usual calendar we would recognise. The 13th of April is the last day of the old year when the Sun moves into Aries.
Tips for an enjoyable Songkran Festival in Phuket
1. Don’t wear your best clothes – they will get wet.
2. Leave expensive cameras and equipment that might get water damaged in your hotel.
3. Keep a tight hold of little ones – it’s very busy out there.
4. Avoid mopeds and motorbikes during Songkran, everyone is fighting in the roads and they are incredibly slippy.
5. Do not target Monks, pregnant women or older people, this is against the rules.
6. Don’t take it seriously or get offended, this is a Thai culture celebration, it’s not about you.
We absolutely loved celebrating Songkran Festival in Phuket last year and I highly recommend giving it a go if you want to experience an important part of Thai Culture. It’s not for everyone but keep an open mind and you’re sure to find something you like about it.