Hands up if you've missed the Songkran celebrations during the covid years. ✋🏼 Also known as Thailand's new year, there's plenty to see and do with specific locations in the capital's central areas where locals gather to splash and spray water at each other, as well as exciting music festivals to enjoy.
Whether you've celebrated Songkran before or if you're looking forward to your first Songkran celebrations this year from 13 to 15 April - here are the best places to celebrate Songkran around Bangkok!
1. Siam Songkran Music Festival
It’s always hot in Bangkok during the Songkran holidays, but it won’t feel that way anymore as you dance to the slick beats in this EDM festival at Siam Songkran Music Festival happening 12-15 April 2024! In line with the spirit of Songkran, you can cool off from the summer heat at the biggest, wildest, and wettest event in Thailand!
Grab your best party buddies and prepare for nights filled with electric beats, international and local performers, crazy fun crowds, and of course, lots and lots of water! Catch some of the world’s most sought-after DJs performing live on the main stage, with artists like Afrojack and Yellow Claw.
Address: เลขที่ 149 Kamphaeng Phet 7 Rd, บางกะปิ, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand (Map)
2. Silom Road
Bring your water guns and head to Silom Road where the crowd will welcome you with a cooling blast of water! With the usually-crowded road closed off to cars during the three days at certain hours, it’s a popular spot among young visitors and locals to celebrate Songkran and engage in a water fight.
Address: Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand (Map)
3. Khao San Road
A popular area for backpackers, Khao San Road is transformed into a water fight arena during Songkran. In fact, it’ll almost be impossible to get out of this spot dry – everyone will be carrying their water guns and buckets of water around so much so that you’ll get wet as soon as you enter. Feel free to fight back with water too – it’s highly welcomed here!
Address: Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand (Map)
4. CentralwOrld
Although relatively newer than the water parties taking place at Silom Road and Khao San Road, the front area of Central World is becoming a more popular spot for people to celebrate Songkran at. With its convenient location in the Ratchaprasong area and the joyous crowd, what’s not to love here?
Address: 4, 5 Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Map)
5. Waterbomb Bangkok Festival
Photo: 4ur0r49r4m on Instagram
Heard of the famous annual water festival in South Korea studded with the trendiest Korean artists? For the first time in Bangkok, you’ll get the same experience at Waterbomb Bangkok Festival with numerous Korean artists like CL, Sunmi, and ZICO confirmed to participate in the festival on 13-14 April! And yes, it’ll be full of water too with cannons of water blasted to the audience – after all, it’s a “waterbomb” festival.
Address: Tambon Ban Mai, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand (Map)
6. S2O Songkran Music Festival
Not a fan of Korean music? If Western bops and DJs are your jam, then you’ll love this annual water-themed music festival.
Dance all night long and find yourself dancing to the beat from 13-15 April at S20 Songkran Music Festival as numerous water guns shoot water to the audience area from the stage – having loads of wet and watery fun with your old and new friends is a sure thing here!
Address: Rama IX Rd, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand (Map)
7. Sanam Luang
Photo credit: @travelkrub on Instagram
Not feeling like getting wet? You can also enjoy ring in the Thai new year by watching traditional Thai performances held at the Sanam Luang area located in front of the Grand Palace – held for public viewing and free of charge! From shadow puppetry and mask dancing to Muay Thai and Thai music performances, enjoy a full viewing of Thailand’s culture at its finest.
Address: Ratchadamnoen Ave, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand (Map)
8. Wat Pho & Wat Arun
Giving thanks for safely ending the previous year and asking for blessings for the upcoming year is always a great way to start the new year. Many Thais often go to the temples to do merit-making, pray, offer food to Buddhist monks, and pour water on monks, the elders, as well as Buddha statues to show respect, and thankfulness, and ask for blessings.
Feel free to visit any of the temples nearby to do so, or you can also go to well-known temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun too.
- Wat Pho - Address: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand (Map), Opening hours: Daily from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Wat Arun - Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand (Map), Opening hours: Daily from 8am to 6pm
Excited? Don’t miss out on any of these activities and enjoy an unforgettable Songkran holiday!
Thailand Local Traffic Guide during Songkran (refer to: Penghu Local Traffic Guide)
- Phuket car rental: 30% OFF, starting at USD 29.94
- Bangkok car rental: 30% OFF, starting at USD 30.76
- Instant confirmation, free cancellation (limited time only)
