Thailand is known as one of the countries with beautiful exotic tours. As with other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has a pleasant tourist climate.

Apart from its tourist destinations, Thailand also has a variety of exciting festivals that can attract the attention of world tourists. For example, the Songkran Festival, a traditional Thai New Year celebration.

Songkran comes from the Thai language, meaning "moving" or "moving places." The sun's position in the zodiac changes and is marked as Thailand's traditional new year.

Songkran is known as the "Water Festival" because Thais believe water will wash away bad luck.

This water festival originally comes from the tradition of people splashing water used to wash statues to get blessings and good luck in the new year. However, if we look closely at this festival, it is rooted in the ancient Indian festival of Makar Sankranti.

Songkran Festival usually begins with visiting family members. Residents also visit local monasteries to pray and pour water on the Buddha statues. After that, they will give gifts of food or new robes to the monks who live there.

Furthermore, the locals would also collect the poured water and bring it back to their loved ones. The Songkran Festival, performed by throwing water at each other, is meant to wash away bad luck from the previous year.

Every April 13 to 15, people across Thailand celebrate this Songkran Festival. For three days, Thailand will be busy with various activities held by residents, starting from the ritual of washing Buddha statues, offering food to monks, and making pagodas from sand to water fights.

Songkran is generally celebrated throughout Thailand, but the atmosphere of celebration will be more pronounced in major cities, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai. One of the famous locations in Bangkok to celebrate Songkran is Khao San Road or Thanon Khao San.

However, you can visit Chiang Mai if you want to focus more on the traditional aspect.

Previously in 2019, Songkran was postponed due to the coronation of the King of Thailand. In 2020, Songkran, which was planned to be held at Khao San Road and several other places, had to be canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 2020 marks the second year the celebration has been postponed.

Meanwhile, in 2021, Songkran in Chiang Mai Province was also canceled due to a new report of COVID-19 cases. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government banned water sprinkling, applying powder, and foam parties during Songkran 2022.

After going through a long, difficult period, 2023 will be the first time activities such as water splashing and foam parties will return in full force after three years of COVID restrictions.

Read more: Event: Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand

Songkran Festival can be celebrated anywhere in Thailand. However, visit San Road or Thanon Khao San to celebrate in Bangkok.

The easiest way is to use a taxi meter available around the exit after you leave the checking point at Immigration and bring all your belongings.

If you use a taxi meter, ensure the meter listed is standard, there is no deception. The budget for the trip to Khao San Road from BKK is THB 400 - THB 425, depending on the traffic jam.

This budget includes toll fees and airport surcharges. The average travel time is 30 minutes.

However, the easiest thing to do when visiting Thailand is to rent a car at Traveloka. With this application, you can also book flight tickets and the hotel room you want!

When else can you organize your vacation easily in one application? Download the Traveloka app immediately and feel the Songkran festival's excitement in Thailand!