Songkran (Thailand)

For the observance elsewhere, see South and Southeast Asian solar New Year.

Songkran สงกรานต์
Celebrations of Songkran; from right to left and top to bottom: Songkran Festival at the ancient city wall in Chiang Mai Building sand stupas at Wat Pho in Bangkok Bathing of a Buddha statue at Wat Ratchabophit in Bangkok Rot Nam Dam Hua or รดน้ำดำหัว (Thai New Year tradition of pouring water over elders' hands for blessings) in Ban Khung Taphao, Uttaradit Water fights in Chiang Mai Pasting white powder on a US Navy officer's face during Songkran
Official name	Songkran Festival
Observed by	Thailand
Type	Asian festival
Begins	14 April
Ends	16 April
Date	13 April
Duration	3 days
Frequency	Annual
Related to	South and Southeast Asian solar New Year

Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Country	Thailand
Reference	01719
Region	Asia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	2023 (18th session)
List	Representative

Thai New Year, also known as Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์, pronounced [sǒŋ.krāːn]), or the Songkran Festival (Songkran Splendours), is the Thai New Year's national holiday. It is celebrated annually on 13 April, with the holiday period extending from 14 to 15 April.

The festival aligns with New Year celebrations observed in many South and Southeast Asian cultures, following the Theravada Buddhist calendar, and coincides with related observances in the Hindu calendar.

In Thailand, the New Year is officially observed on 1 January. Songkran was the official New Year until 1888, when it was changed to 1 April, before being shifted to 1 January in 1940. The traditional Thai New Year, Songkran, remains a national holiday. Celebrations are known for public water fights, which symbolize ritual cleansing. The festival has become popular among international visitors and contributes significantly to tourism.

In 2024, UNESCO certified Songkran as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage list.