What is Thailand's Songkran All About...and Why Is Water (and Getting Wet) Involved?

We take you inside the 2025 celebration in four major Bangkok areas for the annual Thai New Year celebration!

Thailand is a place that loves a good time throughout the year but Songkran is hands down the biggest annual event for having fun in the Land of Smiles and the 2025 holiday was no exception.

This year, we explored four different parts of Bangkok that had huge celebrations including large gatherings, blocked off major streets, food booths galore and, of course, lots of playful water fights.

What Songkran is really about is ringing in the Thai New Year, which happens every year on April 13. But, of course, one day isn’t enough and what you’ll find around Thailand (and most of Southeast and South Asia) is that the celebration goes on before and after that date to make the most of the holiday. People are off work and the city erupts into a lot of people all intent to celebrate and have a good time. And, of course, this time of year also brings a lot of tourists given the holiday nature of Songkran.

Silom is a major street in Bangkok that is closed for the holiday so the legions of people can walk along with their water guns. (Photo: ME)

Whether we ventured out to festivities at some of Bangkok’s biggest malls, buildings or just a major street in the heart of the city, we found a lot of people having a great time and, yes, getting wet. I will say that the vibe is predominantly one of fun and joy in the safest way. There are police out given the crowd sizes but, in reflecting Thailand, there’s a calm, happy feeling in the area everywhere I went.

Check out the video for some of the sights and Boyd made sure to offer up the meaning of the holiday and what all the water (and getting drenched) is about, too!

Until next time…