Songkran 2027: Thailand’s Water Festival
Songkran 2027 · Tue 13 – Thu 15 Apr
Rules ↓Thai New Year. Three national holidays — some cities splash for longer.
Rules (2026 — expect the same)
| Don’t | Fine |
|---|---|
| Use high-pressure water guns or water cannons | up to ฿4,000 |
| Put powder on someone without asking | ฿5,000 |
| Splash people who say no, or people on their way to work | up to ฿60,000 |
| Throw water at moving cars or motorbikes | Up to 10 years in prison if someone dies |
| Touch, grab or harass anyone | up to ฿200,000 or prison |
| Drink in official Bangkok zones (alcohol-free in 2026) or in a vehicle | varies by zone |
| Ride a motorbike without a helmet — rider and passenger | ฿2,000 each |
Etiquette
- Splash gently and smile. Say “Sawasdee pi mai” — Happy New Year.
- Don’t splash: monks, babies, older people, people in work clothes, anyone on a motorbike.
- Older people: a gentle pour of water over the hands is the tradition.
- Powder (a cooling clay paste): ask first, keep it away from eyes.
- Dress in quick-dry clothes that don’t turn see-through. Flowery shirts are the festival look.
What closes
| What | Songkran 2027 |
|---|---|
| Banks & government offices | Closed 13–15 Apr |
| Family shops & street-food stalls | Many close — owners go home to the provinces. Bangkok is quieter outside the water zones. |
| Malls, convenience stores, BTS & MRT | Open |
| Buses, trains, domestic flights | Full leaving Bangkok around 10–12 Apr and coming back around 16–17 Apr. Book early. |
| Roads | Songkran week is one of the most dangerous on Thai roads. Don’t ride a scooter. |
Keep your things dry
- 📱 Phone in a waterproof pouch on a cord around your neck — sold everywhere for a few dollars.
- 🛂 Passport, cards and cash in a sealed zip bag.
- 👕 Quick-dry, dark clothes. 🩴 Sandals with grip — streets get slippery.
- 🕶️ Sunglasses or swim goggles. 🧴 Sunscreen and drinking water.
More: Tropical Packing.
Plan it
Songkran, briefly
Songkran is the Thai New Year and the country’s biggest holiday; UNESCO added it to its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2023. For three days the streets turn into a giant, friendly water fight. Bangkok’s Silom and Khao San roads and Chiang Mai’s old-city moat are the busiest spots; quieter towns splash too.
April is Thailand’s hottest month — Bangkok often passes 35°C. In the north, the smoky season usually runs from February into April, so check the air quality (PM2.5) before choosing Chiang Mai. Zone hours and rules are confirmed by each city shortly before the festival.
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