About the Festival
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and arguably the most fun festival in Asia. While it is famous for its massive nationwide water fights, its roots are deeply spiritual.
"Songkran" comes from Sanskrit meaning "to move into," marking the sun's entry into the zodiac sign of Aries. The water splashing originally symbolized washing away bad luck and sins from the previous year.
Today, it has evolved into a 3-day street party where fire trucks, water guns, and buckets are used to soak everyone in sight. Chiang Mai offers the most intense water fights (turning the city moat into a battle zone), while Bangkok hosts massive electronic music festivals alongside the street action.
