Places & culture
Preparing for Songkran in Chiang Mai
Choose between water celebrations and temple activities, protect your belongings and plan your journeys for Thai New Year.
Start with these three things
- Songkran is Thai New Year, with core festival dates of 13–15 April each year.
- Chiang Mai’s celebrations include pouring water over Buddha images, giving alms and building sand pagodas, as well as water splashing.
- TAT advises protecting phones and cash from water and allowing extra travel time when using the airport.
Steps
"Tip" marks a planning suggestion, not an official rule.
- Tip Think separately about days for water celebrations, temple visits and errands you want to complete without getting wet.
- City events may change. Confirm the latest programme with the city or TAT Chiang Mai Office.
- For water celebrations, prepare clothes that can get wet and a waterproof bag for your phone and cash.
- Tip Arrange dry clothes for when you return and a meeting point in case you become separated.
What to prepare
- TAT’s preparation examples include a waterproof bag, clothes that can get wet and goggles for water celebrations.
Planning tips (not official rules)
- If visiting a temple too, bring a separate change of modest clothing. Prepare for water activities and temple visits separately.
Where to ask
Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Mai Office / individual event organisers
TAT Chiang Mai Office: 105/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, T.Wat Gate, A.Muang, Chiang Mai 50000. Information is available in English and Thai.
Office opening hours are not yet confirmed. Check with the office before visiting.
Search this name on a mapThings to watch for
Planning tips (not official rules)
- Do not confuse the holiday period with operating times at the venue you want to visit. Look for an announcement that names the year and venue.
- A waterproof case does not guarantee protection. Check its closure and instructions, and avoid carrying valuables you do not need.
Ways to celebrate beyond water splashing
Songkran traditions include pouring water over Buddha images and elders’ hands for purification. The Chiang Mai introduction also describes temple ceremonies, sand pagodas and traditional dance. Water celebrations take place around the Old City moat.
Planning tips (not official rules)
For a quieter visit, start by planning around temple activities. Discuss whether your companions want to join water celebrations and whether anyone is carrying items that must stay dry.
Plan ordinary errands too
"Tip" marks a planning suggestion, not an official rule.
Tip For medical appointments, document submissions or carrying bulky luggage, check office closures and your route before setting a time. Even for a short walk nearby, decide how to protect papers or medicines from water.
TAT recommends allowing extra time because airports can be busy during this period. If you are flying, plan festival viewing and the airport journey as separate parts of your day.
Read the next festival announcement carefully
The next parade and water-celebration start and finish times remain unverified. A programme without a year should not be treated as the next event’s schedule; see the organizers’ announcements.
Planning tips (not official rules)
Before booking an event, check its location, admission conditions and rules on what you may bring. Do not pursue people who do not want to join water play, and stop where staff instruct you to do so.
Sources & dates checked
- OfficialTourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ソンクラーン（チェンマイ）
- OfficialTourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) 水かけ祭りとしても知られるタイ正月のお祭り「ソンクラーン」
- OfficialTourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) チェンマイ・イーペン祭り（ロイクラトン祭り）