Known as Songkran Day, the first day of the festival is an exuberant celebration with processions of Buddha images taking place throughout the country. The Thai people also prepare themselves for the beginning of the New Year by cleaning their houses. More importantly, April 13th is when the water throwing really gets going.

Wan Nao is the celebration of the old Thai New Year’s Eve and takes place on April 14th when the sun travels between Pisces and Aires. You can observe one of Songkran’s more formal rituals on Wan Nao as it’s on this day that many Buddhists go to their temples to build sand chedis (a sand castle built to resemble a Buddhist temple).

Celebrated on April 15th, Thai New Year’s Day is the final day of Songkran celebrations in many parts of the country. Offerings are left at temples on this day to ring in the New Year, with plenty of other events also taking place.

The Thai capital celebrates with the Bangkok Songkran Splendours Festival which is taking place this year from April 13th to 15th. The official opening ceremony is held at Wat Pho, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand and home to a spectacular, giant gold-plated reclining Buddha. Many other celebrations are held on and around the Khao San Road, which is one of the most popular areas in the world amongst backpackers. Events during the festival include water throwing, the ritual bathing of Buddha images, processions and performances. A tempting array of traditional foods can also be enjoyed throughout the celebrations.

Chiang Mai is home to one of the country’s biggest Songkran celebrations in the world, the Chiang Mai Songkran Festival. The festival kicks off slightly earlier on the 12th April, with an eye-catching procession around the city. Street food, cultural celebrations and traditional performances are also an important part of Songkran in this part of northern Thailand. Of course, there’s also the customary water throwing.

Plenty! Thailand’s largest island is buzzing with activity during Songkran, especially in the Patong Beach area. Expect gridlocked streets filled with pickup trucks carrying young people throwing water at locals and tourists alike. Along Bangla Road, which is where you’ll find the liveliest nightspots in Patong, Songkran celebrations continue well into the wee hours of the morning. Saphan Hin Park is the main focus of the festivities in Phuket Town. Live music and traditional performances make up part of these hugely enjoyable celebrations.

Without a doubt, Songkran is a hugely important festival to the Thai people but it’s also very popular with visitors and many tourists specifically arrange their holidays around this unique event. Anyone and everyone can and will get involved in the celebrations. If you’re out and about during Songkran, you’re almost guaranteed to end up soaked but you’ll have lots of fun in the process!

So, if you’re planning a trip to Songkran in Thailand, hopefully this feature will have given you some insight into what makes this such an important event for the Thai people and also what you can expect from Songkran celebrations throughout the country.