Thai Water Festival and secrets about water festivals in Southeast Asian countries you don't know

The Thai water festival (Songkran) and other unique water festivals in other Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia are an integral part of the region's culture. However, each country's festival has its own significance, providing a great experience for those who love to explore rich cultures and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of fun "water fights". Find out more about these festivals now!

Việt Nam•17/03/2025

1. Water Festival in Thailand - A unique event worth experiencing

Songkran is a New Year celebration and a long-standing tradition of Thai people. (Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand)

One of the most vibrant and unique festivals in Southeast Asia, held in April, is the Thai Water Festival. Considered the New Year of the Thai people, Songkran is not only an occasion for people to dispel bad luck but also a way to pray for good fortune in the new year. If you have ever dreamed of a day immersed in cool water amidst laughter and joyful excitement, this festival is definitely an experience not to be missed.

Songkran ( Thai Water Festival ) takes place from April 13 to 15 every year, but it is not only about water but also a series of unique cultural rituals and activities. People will splash water on each other, bathe the Buddha, release rice and participate in folk games. This is part of the water festival of Southeast Asian countries with long-standing origins and strong religious character, combined with the joy of outdoor activities.

2. Some interesting things about the Thai Water Festival (Songkran)

A man plays a trumpet as people are splashed with water by elephants during the Songkran water festival in Ayutthaya province, Thailand, north of Bangkok. (Photo: REUTERS/Jorge Silva)

2.1. Origin and meaning of the water festival in Thailand

Songkran is the Thai New Year festival , which is based on the lunar calendar. The name "Songkran" comes from the Sanskrit word "sankranti", which means "change". It is an occasion for Thai people to bathe, clean up the old things and prepare to welcome the new year with cleanliness and luck.

2.2. Thai people's water splashing tradition

Thai people pour water on each other as a way to wish for good luck and ward off bad luck. Water not only symbolizes purification but is also a way to show respect to elders. However, today, the water festival has become a fun street game where people pour water on each other and engage in epic water battles.

2.3. Activities not to be missed during the Thai Water Festival

Participants react during a water fight at the Songkran festival in Bangkok. (Photo: REUTERS/Jorge Silva)

Bathing the Buddha : One of the important rituals in the festival is that people will bathe the Buddha to wish their family and community a peaceful new year.
Parades : Songkran festivals in major cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Phuket often feature traditional parades, with many unique cultural activities, music, dances, and unique costume displays.
Street decoration : The downtown areas, especially the old quarters in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, will be heavily decorated with Buddha statues, flowers and symbols of blessing.
Extreme water battles : In big cities like Bangkok , Chiang Mai or Pattaya , the streets will be filled with fun water battles. People will be equipped with water guns, water sprayers to fight, along with vibrant music and a joyful festival atmosphere, blending into the crowded crowd.
Typical dishes during the festival : In addition to the Thai curry that you will enjoy, during Songkran, Thai people also like to eat unique dishes such as Som Tam (papaya salad), Khao Niaow Tu-rean (durian sticky rice), Khao Niaow Mamuang (mango sticky rice) or light and cool dishes, suitable for the hot weather in summer.

3. Water Festivals of other Southeast Asian countries: A combination of culture and tradition

Although the Thai water festival is the most prominent, not only Thailand , but other countries in Southeast Asia also have their own unique water festivals. Below are some water festivals of Southeast Asian countries that you should not miss when visiting:

3.1. Water Festival in Myanmar – Thingyan Festival

Thingyan is not only a traditional festival but also a symbol of unity and love among people. (Photo: Collected)

Myanmar ’s Thingyan festival is held around April 13-16 every year, coinciding with Thailand’s Songkran festival. This is an opportunity for people to wash away all bad luck and welcome a new year full of good fortune. Like the Thai water festival, water fights take place everywhere, but Thingyan is also notable for its Buddhist worship and prayer rituals.

3.2. Water Festival in Laos – Bunpimay

The water splashing activity will start at 8:00 a.m., and end around 4:00 p.m., before sunset. (Photo: Count Pyruslav)

Bunpimay, the Lao New Year festival , takes place from April 13 to 15 and has strong similarities to the Thai water festival. The festival also includes water-splashing competitions, Buddha bathing, and family-honoring activities. Vientiane and Luang Prabang are two prominent cities that celebrate Bunpimay with great excitement and joy.

3.3. Water Festival in Cambodia – Bom Chaul Chnam

Bom Chaul Chnam is a long-standing festival in which people splash water on each other to celebrate a bountiful rice harvest. (Photo: zybuluo)

The Bom Chaul Chnam Festival (or Cambodian Water Festival) is a large and unique festival in Cambodia , held on April 13-15, at the same time as the traditional Cambodian New Year, Chol Chnam Thmay. This festival is different from other water festivals in Southeast Asia, because it is not only associated with water splashing, but also an occasion for people to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River. This event has great significance for the local people, because the reversal of the river water not only helps the surrounding lands become fertile, but also celebrates a bountiful rice harvest.

Highlights of the Bom Chaul Chnam festival include boat races on the Mekong River, worship rituals, special food such as Ak Ambok (a dish made from rice, bananas and coconuts), and fireworks every evening. Phnom Penh is the main center of this festival, attracting millions of visitors.

4. Why is the Water Festival of Southeast Asian countries so popular?

Tourists experience water splashing at Siam Square, Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Collected)

Water festivals in Southeast Asian countries are not simply water fights but also festivals with deep cultural, spiritual and community solidarity values. Whether it is the Thai water festival or festivals in Myanmar, Laos, or Cambodia... they all have in common the desire to wash away the bad things of the old year and welcome the new year with good health and wealth.

Water festival is not only a custom, but also a part of culture and tradition in Southeast Asian countries. Every festival, whether it is a water festival Thailand and festivals in other countries such as Myanmar , Laos , Cambodia , all have their own unique features, creating a colorful and fun festival space. If you love unique festivals, remember to plan to participate in the water festival of Southeast Asian countries next summer to enjoy unforgettable experiences!