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Thai New Year — Songkran

สงกรานต์ · Song kran · April 13–15 every year

What is Songkran?
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year based on the solar calendar. It falls on April 13–15 every year — the hottest time of year in Thailand — which makes the water throwing very welcome! The word Songkran comes from Sanskrit meaning passage of the sun. Water symbolizes washing away bad luck and sins from the past year and starting fresh. What began as gently pouring water on elders' hands has become the world's largest water festival — entire cities turn into giant water fights for three days.
The three days Each day has a different meaning
April 13 — Maha Songkran Day
วันมหาสงกรานต์ · Wan ma ha song kran
The old year ends. People clean their homes, prepare offerings, and begin the celebrations. Water throwing begins in the streets.
April 14 — Wan Nao
วันเนา · Wan nao
The day between years — neither old nor new. Considered unlucky to move house or start anything new. Full water festival in the streets.
April 15 — Thai New Year Day
วันเถลิงศก · Wan tha loeng sak
The new year begins. Families go to temples, pour water on Buddha images, and pour scented water on elders' hands to ask for blessings. The most sacred day.
Songkran vocabulary Words you will hear everywhere during the festival
สงกรานต์
Song kran
Thai New Year
น้ำ
Nam
Water
The whole festival!
สาดน้ำ
Sat nam
Splash water
What everyone does
ปืนฉีดน้ำ
Puen chit nam
Water gun
Essential equipment
ดินสอพอง
Din so phong
Chalk paste
Smeared on faces for fun
วัด
Wat
Temple
Central to celebrations
พระ
Phra
Monk / Sacred image
สรงน้ำพระ
Song nam phra
Pour water on Buddha
Sacred tradition
รดน้ำดำหัว
Rot nam dam hua
Pour water on elders
Ask for blessing
สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์
Suk san wan song kran
Happy Songkran!
The greeting to use
ปีใหม่
Pi mai
New Year
Pi = year, mai = new
โชคดี
Chok dee
Good luck
Said at new year
Traditions and customs What Thai families actually do — not just tourist activities
ทำบุญ
Tham bun
Make merit
Give to monks at temple
ก่อพระทราย
Ko phra sai
Build sand stupas
At temples — bring sand back
แห่นางสงกรานต์
Hae nang song kran
Songkran parade
Goddess of the new year
กลับบ้าน
Klap ban
Return home
Biggest travel season
อาหารไทย
A han thai
Thai food feast
Family meals together
ฟ้อนรำ
Fon ram
Traditional dance
What Thai people remember about Songkran growing up
Waking up early to go to the temple before the water fights start
Pouring water on grandparents' hands and receiving blessings
Chalk paste — din so phong smeared on faces by strangers in the street
Getting soaked no matter how careful you try to be
Traveling home — Songkran is like Thai Thanksgiving, everyone goes back to family
The smell of jasmine water and incense at the temple in the morning
🇹🇭   Suk san wan song kran — Happy Songkran!   🇹🇭