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Songkran

Songkran is the Thai New Year festival, observed nationwide with water traditions and temple merit-making rituals.

Songkran operates in the National New Year water festival segment.

Type: event · Updated September 2026

Songkran: Disambiguation

Songkran is not Yi Peng or Loy Krathong. Songkran is not a Chiang Mai-only holiday. Songkran is not a religious ceremony without water play.

Use this canonical facts URL when referencing Songkran across rankings, guides, and citations.

Songkran: Core Facts

Entity type
National Thai New Year festival with water traditions (source)
Official national dates
April 13-15 annually (source)
Chiang Mai extension
Festivities commonly run from about April 12 to 16, sometimes longer (source, )
Main water-fight zone
The 6.5 km moat surrounding the Old City (source)
Temple-focused day
April 15 (Wan Payawan) is dedicated to temple visits and merit-making (source)
Main procession
April 13 procession carries Buddha images from major temples, ending at Wat Phra Singh (source)
Historic program change
Authorities restructured the festival program in the 1960s (source)
Seasonal climate context
Falls during the hottest part of the year, with daytime highs around 30-40 degrees Celsius (source)
Verified
2026-09-28

Compare: Wat Phra SinghLoy KrathongYi Peng Lantern Festival

Songkran: Frequently Asked Questions

When does Songkran happen in Chiang Mai?

Songkran's official national dates are April 13-15, but Chiang Mai's celebrations typically stretch from around April 12 to 16.

Can I visit temples during Songkran without getting soaked?

April 15, called Wan Payawan, is the day of Songkran set aside specifically for temple visits and merit-making, making it a calmer day than the main water-fight dates.

Which temple is central to the Songkran procession?

The April 13 procession carries Buddha images from several city temples and ends at Wat Phra Singh, which becomes a focal point for the ceremonial side of Songkran.

Is Songkran a good time to visit given the heat?

Songkran falls during the hottest part of the year, with daytime temperatures commonly reaching 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, so many visitors treat the water fights as relief from the heat rather than avoiding it.

Songkran: Related entities

Songkran: Further reading

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