Songkran Festival in Chang Mai
History of Songkran
Brahmins from India started the tradition with the belief that the sun passes into Aries that is now deemed as the ancient Thai New Year’s Day called ‘Wan Payawan’ and is held on April 15th. It is not just a water battle for people of all ages. The water sprinkling is a symbol of wishes and blessings. Additionally, they remove all the possessions that had bad luck the past year and establish New Year resolutions. The word ‘Songkran’ originates from Sanskrit to mean moving forward. In addition to being celebrated in Thailand, the festival is also held in Cambodia, Burma, and Laos.
Songkran Festival in Chang Mai, Thailand
Things to do, participate in during Songkran in Chiang Mai:
1. Participate in Water Battles at the Thapae Gate
Thapae Gate is a primary entrance into the Old City of Chiang Mai, and the area is full of revellers. The massive water battle consists of both foreigners and locals, and you have to see it to believe it. You will find ladies and gentlemen, women and children, and even the young and the elderly getting themselves wet in this exciting water fight. Big stages are organised with a variety of competitions and performances, and you will witness multiple people with traditional Thai costumes. You will encounter foam machines, but minimal drinking since it faces strict limitations in this place.
2. Stroll Along the Moat
Near the moat, there is a lengthy road stretch that is filled with lots of laughter and numerous water fights. Be keen to prevent water from getting into your mouth, ears, and eyes since the water being splashed has been fetched from the moat, which might not be clean. You will enjoy Thai music from the local bands who will be playing in the scene. Additionally, you will get to buy local clothes, souvenirs, and various street foods from sellers who will fill the area with goods.
3. Join in Water Fights along Nimmanhaemin Road
Nimmanhaemin Road, also called Nimman Road, is one of the trendiest and most modern areas in Chiang Mai with shops and boutique hotels. The streets are filled with numerous water battles, and you will enjoy plenty of entertainment as performers and DJs entertain the masses at the entrance of the Maya mall.
4. Stroll the City’s Smaller Streets
People stand at the entrance of their houses with large tubs of cold water and hoses, waiting for their victims to walk past. Leaving the crowded places of the towns and looking to explore the smaller streets can result in plenty of interactions with the locals with numerous friendly soakings.
5. Offer Alms to Monks
As a mark of the Thai New Year, the festival is a period for people to seek blessings and make merit. You will get to see monks wearing saffron robes in the morning as they walk out for a collection of alms. There are many merit makers and many monks over the festival, and you can rise to see the beautiful line of monks strolling the streets.
6. Check Out the Massive Buddha Procession
Sacred Buddha statues are released from numerous temples in Chiang Mai and paraded through the roads. The images are stunning, and they get spectacular as you see them en mass. Buddhists sprinkle some water on the statues as a symbol of respect and cleansing, as they hope for prosperity and luck for the coming year. More joy is added to the colourful procession by musicians and dancers.
7. Join in a Tuk-tuk Tour
If you don’t like walking, take a tuk-tuk to experience the festival on
Chiang Mai’s streets. Even in a tuk-tuk, you will not miss the fun as you will still
get wet. The small vehicle will allow you to go to more places and enjoy plenty of
water battles. Numerous Thais get into a pickup truck’s back with barrels of water,
water guns, and buckets to cover more ground.
8. Visit Temples
Thai people go to temples to perform some rituals, offer donations, and pray.
Chiang Mai has many attractive and historic temples for your pick.
You will witness Buddha statues being sprinkled and washed with water as well as
people carrying buckets of dirt to these temples as a symbol of colourful flags and
the earth that was carried away on the feet of the locals over the past year.
9. Bar Hop during the Evenings
Emotions are high during the Songkran, and no one wants the fun to halt.
As the sun sets, energetic tourists and locals fill the local bars to have a great time
and party. You are guaranteed to have a lot of fun, drink, chat, and dance.
