Is Thailand closed during Songkran?

Government offices, banks, and many businesses close on the official three public holidays (13–15 April). Major tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores remain open. Transport runs but is extremely busy — book all travel well in advance. Street vendors and markets operate as usual or with increased activity.

When is the actual Thai New Year date?

The official Thai New Year holiday falls on 13–15 April each year. April 13 is Songkran Day (the start of the water festival), April 14 is National Family Day, and April 15 is Thai New Year's Day. Some cities, particularly Chiang Mai, extend celebrations for a full week. Thais also celebrate 1 January as a public holiday following the Gregorian calendar.

What is the difference between Thai New Year and Chinese New Year in Thailand?

Thai New Year (Songkran) falls in mid-April and is celebrated by all Thais with water festivals and temple visits. Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) falls in January or February and is particularly celebrated in Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat), Phuket Town, and other areas with large Thai-Chinese communities. Both are important cultural events but Songkran is the national holiday.

Thai New Year (Songkran)

ปีใหม่ไทย

13–15 April each year (official public holidays)Nationwide

At a Glance

Dates

13–15 April each year (official public holidays)

Location

Nationwide

Thai New Year, celebrated through the Songkran festival each April, is the most important festival in the Thai calendar. While Thailand officially uses the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes, the traditional Thai New Year falls in mid-April and is calculated according to the Thai solar calendar, marking the sun's transition into Aries. It is a three-day public holiday and, in practice, a week-long national celebration during which millions of Thais travel home to their families.

The cultural heart of the New Year period involves temple visits, making merit, elder blessings, and the symbolic pouring of scented water over Buddha images and the hands of respected family members. The water-fight tradition evolved from the ritual splashing of water in blessing ceremonies and has grown into the country's most boisterous and internationally recognisable celebration. Beyond Songkran, New Year's Eve (31 December) and Chinese New Year (variable, January–February) are also widely celebrated in Thailand's urban centres.

Highlights

Temple merit-making ceremonies and Buddha image lustral water blessings
Elder blessing rituals in which younger family members pour scented water over elders' hands
Nationwide public holidays with family reunions and homecoming journeys
Street water festivals in every city, town, and tourist destination across the country

Practical Tips

Transport is extremely congested in the week around Songkran — book buses, trains, and flights two to three months in advance.
Many small shops, restaurants, and services close for several days; carry extra cash and plan meals around larger establishments.
If you want to experience the cultural rather than party side of Thai New Year, visit temples early in the morning before the street parties start.

Best Destinations

Chiang Mai

The most celebrated Songkran in the country, centred on the ancient moat with up to a week of festivities.

Bangkok

Multiple districts host major celebrations — Silom, Khao San Road, and RCA — alongside temple ceremonies at Wat Pho and Wat Arun.

Ayutthaya

The ancient capital holds traditional Songkran processions with historic pageantry and temple ceremonies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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