Songkran in Bangkok
Thai New Year turns Bangkok into the world's biggest water fight. Every April 13–15 the city downs tools: Khao San Road and Silom Road close to traffic and become shoulder-to-shoulder soak zones, Sanam Luang hosts the government-backed Maha Songkran World Water Festival with parades and cultural stages, and the club circuit answers with ticketed mega-parties — S2O's EDM water stages, RCA pool takeovers, rooftop foam sessions and mall splash zones from Siam to Mega Bangna. The quieter side survives too: morning merit-making at Wat Pho and Wat Arun, gentle water-pouring for elders, and family days out before the buckets come out after lunch. This page gathers every Songkran-window event in our database — the window runs a few days either side of the holidays, because Bangkok never keeps it to three days — sorted by start time. Waterproof your phone and book early; the big parties sell out weeks ahead.
Songkran in Bangkok — upcoming events
Frequently asked questions
When is Songkran in Bangkok?
Songkran is fixed to April 13–15 every year — Thailand's official New Year holidays. In Bangkok the celebrations regularly spill wider, with mall events and club parties starting the weekend before and street water fights continuing through April 16.
Where are the biggest Songkran water fights in Bangkok?
Khao San Road and Silom Road are the two classic battlegrounds — both close to traffic and run all afternoon and evening. Sanam Luang hosts the family-friendly Maha Songkran World Water Festival, while ticketed parties like S2O and the RCA pool events cover the club end of the spectrum.
Is everything closed in Bangkok during Songkran?
Malls, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions stay open through the holidays, and the BTS and MRT run normally. Government offices, banks and many small family businesses close April 13–15, and traffic thins out as locals travel home to the provinces.
What should I bring to Songkran in Bangkok?
A waterproof phone pouch, quick-dry clothes, goggles if you're heading into Khao San or Silom, and small banknotes in a sealed bag. Assume everything on you will get soaked — because it will.