Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated every April in Bangkok with a mix of tradition and all-out fun. For visitors, it’s one of the most exciting times to be in the city, but it comes with a warning: you won’t stay dry.
The main feature of Songkran is water. What started as a symbolic splash to bless the new year has grown into a city-wide water fight. Streets fill with people carrying buckets, water guns, and hoses. Trucks roll by with barrels of water, and everyone—locals and tourists alike—joins in. In the heat of April, the soaking is welcome.
Silom Road is the epicenter for LGBTQ+ travelers, especially around the gay bars near Sala Daeng. Music, dancing, and endless water battles create a playful, chaotic vibe. Elsewhere, Khao San Road and central squares turn into packed zones of music and spray. At night, expect special Songkran editions of Bangkok’s famous gay parties, where the energy shifts from water fights to dance floors.
Songkran is equal parts cultural and festive. In the morning you might see traditional temple visits; by afternoon, you’re drenched and laughing with strangers. It’s the perfect mix of Thai culture and sheer fun, and a truly unforgettable time to visit.
Songkran Thai New Year
“Bangkok turns into one giant water fight every April—pack light, you will get wet.”
