Songkran water festival in Thailand !

Many people ask me when is the best time to come to Thailand. Weather-wise I would always say around January - February where it is the coolest HOWEVER the best time to come to experience the biggest water fight in any country would be in April - Songkran or Thai New Year !

So what is Songkran ? It is Thai New Years which is April 13th of every year. Usually Thai New Years eve and the day after New Years is a holiday. It is one of the biggest water festival in the whole world. But what is the background about all this water splashing ? Traditionally, the Thai New Years start off with morning merit making and pouring water on the Buddha statue and the young to greet the new year with pouring water on the hands of their respected elders to wash all the bad away for the new year. This is where all the water splashing came from. Nowadays, the water splashing has become more of a party like festival than tradition for the younger crowd.

You might not be able to picture how massive this water fight/festival is in Thailand. Imagine 1-3 days of non stop fun at the water park !! Fortunately I was able to experience it down south in Koh Samui.

It was mine and Kotaro's first Songkran in Samui actually, we were originally heading there for a music festival which was after Songkran festival but decided to go earlier to help out and enjoy the Thai New Year there.

The first day of Songkran came and BAM we got soaked immediately (check out the video below) after just walking out from the hotel. We got on our scooter and roamed the streets for some water splashing party. The next day, I was prepared to get splashed but everything was back to normal. Unfortunately I learned that in Samui it is only a one day festival ! Bummers. At least there was the music festival that we could look forward to.

Here's what you can expect if you are planning to join this crazy water festival :

1. Get splashed anywhere you walk for at least a day or two

2. Get powder on your face

3. Music all day all night

4. Sometimes the water will be iced cold

5. A more traditional water festival would be better experienced in Chiangmai than Bangkok

6. Bangkok water splashing is limited and only in certain "party" areas such as Khaosan Rd., RCA (night time), other night clubs , Siam

What to prepare :

1. Clothing that can get dirty/super wet

2. Rubber sandals if possible - don't wear shoes or else they will get destroyed !

3. Water gun(s) , goggles

4. Lots of sunblock

5. A big smile and party vibes :)

For more info on where to splash during Songkran click here !

If you've missed the fun , you can always come next year ;) See you soon !

From your favorite Papaya in Shibuya,

#Samui #songkran #summer #thainewyears #travel #party