Songkran survival guide. 12+ Songkran tips for surviving in the Songkran Water Festival in Thailand

March 7, 2025

Songkran is fun, but how do you win a water fight in Thailand? Check out these survival tips from us with Songkran survival guide and safety tips with 12+ Songkran tips for surviving in the Songkran Water Festival in Thailand!

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Songkran is the water festival in Thailand and in some other Asean countries such as Laos or Cambodia. | Songkran tips

Songkran is the most exciting and anticipated festival season in Thailand. For those of you who have never participated in the Songkran water festival before, you can understand that this is almost a water fight across Thailand. Held in mid-April, this traditional New Year festival is most famous for splashing water and throwing flour at others for good luck.

This will be an exciting occasion for everyone from young to old, rich to poor, locals and tourists to join the fight against water in many forms. If you are planning to visit Thailand during Songkran this year, you will need to learn the following tips from Klook to have a great trip.

Everyone Will Get Wet!

Photo: worldwidetour.org | Songkran tips

No one gives a damn about Songkran, it doesn’t matter if you’re on your way to the airport or anywhere else, just move – you’re going to get soaked! But be careful with your electronics, because if you’re walking around with them, you don’t want them to get damaged, do you?

Buy a waterproof bag for your backpack, put your electronics deep inside the bag, wrap them in another plastic bag and surround them with clothes. Only take them out when you’re safely at a dry spot. If you’re going to be walking around, get a waterproof plastic bag to hold your phone and money. These bags can be found all over the streets of Songkran.

Upgrade Your Water Gun (#Songkran tips)

Going to Songkran? Get a cool gun now! Trust us, you’ll want to get your hands on some big, powerful guns to rock this festival. During Songkran, water guns skyrocket in price, up to 3 or 4 times their normal price.

The water festival of Songkran | Songkran tips

As the holiday approaches (and during the festival), the small, lightweight guns and the most powerful guns are almost sold out. You run the risk of being left without any “weapons”, and that’s definitely not fun. After Songkran is over, give your water gun to the kids on the street.

Wash Your Face Regularly

The water festival Songkran-Thailand-the water festivals in Southeast Asian1 — | Songkran tips

Apart from getting splashed with water, the really “dangerous” part of Songkran is the constant spray of colored powders. Sometimes, especially these days, these powders are fluorescent. Whether it’s white or fluorescent green, it’s going to be a real pain in the ass – not to mention smearing it on your face with dirty hands.

The water festival Songkran-Thailand-the water festivals in Southeast Asian — Songkran in Chiang Mai | Songkran tips

Wash your face as much as possible and wipe it with a wet towel if you’re prone to breakouts. While it’s considered unlucky and impolite to wash off the stains – wash your face when you get back to your hotel.

Wear Old Clothes to Fight All Out

Apart from getting soaked, you’ll also be subjected to a battle of different colored powders as we mentioned above. Water is stored for weeks in Thailand in plastic bottles or large old barrels. And of course, these barrels aren’t always clean as there will be impurities mixed in with the water and powder! So, to be ready for battle, wear some really old clothes and greet the water and powder with a smile!

Photo: darkroom.baltimoresun.com | Songkran tips

Choose Light & Quick-Dry Clothing

Fighting with water is definitely the most exciting thing you will ever experience. But you also need to rest after a long, tiring battle, right? When thirst strikes and you want to find a few bottles of Chang beer or when you realize you haven’t eaten anything since breakfast, you don’t want to sit around in wet clothes to eat or drink – but if you’re not well-prepared, you won’t have a choice.

Wear quick-drying clothes (like gym clothes) that will keep you comfortable, or at least not be dragged down by cotton or wool. Tip: Quick-drying clothes also won’t smell bad when wet multiple times.

Don’t Drink Water from Open Bottles

Water bottles are kept by Thais and filled with “unpleasant” water and sold to warriors during Songkran week. Absolutely do not buy and drink water on the street. You will easily recognize it, because the water bottles when thrown will be opened, and will not be in the same shape as before.

There was a friend who participated in Songkran on the first day, and bought super cheap water on the street. He had never participated in the festival before, so he did not know anything about these recycled drinks. A few hours later, he started vomiting violently like he had food poisoning all night long.

Learn to Say “Happy New Year” in Thai

Songkran is a water festival with important cultural significance of Buddhism in Thailand, this is a festival to celebrate the new year and prepare for new beginnings. Don’t forget to wish everyone a happy new year in Thai!

Buddha statues are gently washed with scented water. Photo: holidayme.com .

We’ll let you in on the “sà-wàt-dii bpii mái” (sawadee bpee mai) greeting. This is the most meaningful New Year greeting that Thai people often use, meaning both “hello” and “happy new year”.

Choose Your Shoes Strategically

Forget about those expensive shiny shoes, Songkran is the perfect time to wear those “legendary” flip-flops or breathable sneakers. They will not only help you avoid slipping on the “swimming pool” floor but also ensure your feet dry quickly after each “water battle”.

Be Friendly to the Maximum – Be Aggressive to the Minimum

Remember, not everyone enjoys being attacked with a water gun while they’re trying to keep their new phone from turning into a brick. Keep it friendly and only “fight” with people who seem like they’re looking for a similar “frustration”.

Also, remember that Songkran is all about fun and community spirit. Whether you’re being “attacked” by water guns from all directions or “hit” by colored powder from strangers, smile and enjoy. Accept that you’ll get wet and dirty, but that’s part of the experience.

Stock Up on Water Like a Pro

Instead of stopping every 5 minutes to buy water, why not have a “multi-purpose” water bottle on hand? It will help you “recharge” enough to “fight” with all your might, avoid buying bottled water of unknown origin, and also help protect the environment.

Sunscreen & Hat: The Perfect Pair

“To avoid turning into a “ripe tomato” under the harsh sun of Songkran, equip yourself with powerful “weapons”: sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. Not only do they protect your skin from sunburn, they also form a temporary waterproof “armor”, allowing you to comfortably “party” without worrying about getting soaked.

Plan a Gathering Point with Your Teammates

Songkran can attract thousands of participants, making it easy for you to lose track of your friends. Plan to meet at a fixed point before splitting up, ensuring that everyone can easily find each other after participating in the water battle.

In case you lose your teammates in the Songkran “battlefield”, book a “rescue” meeting point in advance. A cafe or a corner of the market can become a meeting point to save you after each “battle”.

Songkran Festival offers a great opportunity to explore Thai culture, exchange and share joy with locals and tourists from all over. With these tips, you will be ready to join this “water war”, not only as an entertaining experience but also as a part of participating in the rich culture of Thailand. Let this year’s Songkran become a memorable one for you and your “best friends”.

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