Songkran Pattaya 2025

Celebrate Songkran in Pattaya with water fights, beach parties, and rich cultural traditions, where sun-soaked shores meet the great Thai New Year festival!

The word Songkran (สงกรานต์) comes from the Sanskrit word Saṃkrānti, which means "to move" or "transition." It signifies the sun’s shift into the Aries zodiac sign and marks the traditional Thai New Year. This time of year is a time for renewal, family gatherings, and paying respect to elders and traditions. The water splashing symbolizes washing away bad luck and welcoming a fresh start for the year ahead.

The Songkran Festival, a national holiday in Thailand, is a lively water festival filled with fun but also with a huge cultural significance. While celebrations span from April 13 to 15 throughout the country, in the resort city of Pattaya, the festivities continue for an entire week! Pattaya is known for extending the Songkran party until April 19 with the Wan Lai Festival in Naklua and Pattaya Beach, featuring traditional rituals, parades, and performances.

If you're looking for a perfect mix of cultural depth and pure joy, Songkran in Pattaya is a place to be.

What to Expect When Attending Songkran Pattaya 2025

Here's a glimpse of what you can look forward to, from water splashing to cultural events:

• Water fights everywhere: Expect massive street battles with water guns, buckets, and hoses. The entire city, especially Beach Road, Walking Street, and Central Pattaya, turns into a splash zone. There’s no escaping the water, so embrace the fun!
• Loud music and beach parties: Pattaya’s beaches turn into giant party zones, especially along Beach Road and Jomtien Beach. Expect wild celebrations with DJs, foam parties, and all-day water fights right by the ocean.
• Cultural and religious traditions: You can visit temples hosting traditional ceremonies where people pour water on Buddha statues and seek blessings from monks and elders. You can build sand pagodas at temples, including Wat Chai Mongkhon in South Pattaya. Temples such as Wat Yansangwararam and Wat Nong Yai also host Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremonies.
• Parades: Several cultural parades will take place. The Kong Khao parade, honoring the Rice Goddess, is a central feature of the festivities.
• Beauty contests and parades: Many beauty pageants feature contestants dressed in elegant traditional Thai attire, including intricate golden headdresses and silk dresses. The most prestigious contest is Miss Songkran, where participants compete in grace, elegance, and knowledge of Thai culture.
• Food, drinks, and market stalls: Street vendors will sell traditional Thai dishes, like Khao Chae, stir-fried rice noodles (favorites are Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao), and mango sticky rice. When thirsty, you can buy Thai iced tea, cocktails, and coconut water.
• Vibrant nightlife: As soon as the sun sets, bars, clubs, and beach venues will keep the celebrations alive until dawn.

Wear lightweight, quick-drying clothing and comfortable shoes since you'll walk and get wet often. Also, don't forget to protect your phone with a waterproof pouch. Hot days in April will be followed by occasional rain showers, with daytime temperatures around 33 C (91 F) and nighttime lows around 27 C (81 F).

The Songkran festivities are free to attend!

Security Protocols

Security at Songkran is a top priority, with police presence and designated dry zones to ensure a safe and enjoyable festival. Major areas like Beach Road and Walking Street will have road closures, and while water fights are encouraged in festive zones, some temple areas are off-limits for splashing. Participants should avoid splashing motorcyclists, elderly people, monks, and young children, as this can be dangerous and culturally inappropriate.

How to Get To or From the Event

• By Air: The nearest major airport to Pattaya is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, about 120 km away. From BKK, you can take a direct airport bus to Pattaya, which costs ~120 THB (~$3.50). Alternatively, a taxi or private transfer can be booked, with fares ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 THB (~$35 to ~$45). Another option is Don Mueang Airport (DMK). From DMK, you can take a taxi or transfer to a Bangkok bus terminal to reach Pattaya.
• Bus: Buses from Bangkok to Pattaya are a popular and affordable option. The most frequent departures are from Ekkamai Bus Terminal, with buses leaving every 30 minutes and costing about 120 THB (~$3.50). Additional routes run from Mochit Bus Terminal and Southern Bus Terminal. Most buses arrive at the Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road, from where visitors can take a songthaew (shared truck) or motorbike taxi to their final destination.
• Train: A train service operates from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok to Pattaya. The train departs once daily in the morning and takes around 4 hours to reach Pattaya, with tickets priced at approximately 31 THB (~$0.90). While this is the cheapest option, it's not the most convenient due to limited schedules and longer travel times than buses or taxis.

Once you’re in Pattaya: The most common way to get around the city is by songthaew, which operates on fixed routes and costs 10-20 THB ($0.30 - $0.60) per ride. Motorbike taxis offer a faster way to navigate through traffic but can be risky due to slippery roads during the festival. In festival zones like Beach Road and Walking Street, walking is often the best way to experience the celebrations up close.

Songkran Pattaya 2025 Bag Policy

There's no official bag policy, but it's advisable not to carry large bags. It's inconvenient, and you'll want to enjoy the festive atmosphere without worries. It's best to use waterproof bags or cases for your valuables and bring a set of dry clothes to change into.

Songkran Pattaya 2025 Bag Storage

Store Your Bags With Bounce and Create Unforgettable Moments

Bounce will help you have a magical experience in Pattaya!

You can pick a store in the city and store your luggage for just THB 112.00 per day. You'll also get $10,000 in bag protection and 24/7 support. If your plans change, simply cancel before check-in, and we won't charge you.

How to Stow Your Bag at Songkran Pattaya 2025 With Bounce

• Book: Choose your store, book, and pay online.
• Store your luggage: Go to the store with your payment confirmation to drop off your bags.
• Have fun: Enjoy your time in Thailand!

How to Make the Most Out of Songkran Pattaya 2025

• Enjoy Thai traditions: Join locals at temples for sand pagoda building. Build your chedi sai, decorate it, and make a wish for the new year.
• Feast like a local: Enjoy Tom Yum (spicy and sour soup), cool off with Khao Chae, grab a plate of Pad Thai, and don’t forget a refreshing Thai iced tea to keep you going!
• Make a temple visit: Visit a temple for Rod Nam Dam Hua, the gentle water-pouring ceremony, and get blessed for a lucky year ahead.
• Meet gentle giants: Visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary for an ethical elephant experience.
• Make an island escape: Take a ferry to Koh Larn (Coral Island) for crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
• Store your bags with Bounce: Have a worry-free journey by storing your luggage with us.

Celebrate Thai New Year in Pattaya, where ancient traditions and joyful water festivities come together to wash away the past and welcome new beginnings! See you in April!