Songkran 2027 in Bangkok: Dates, Water Fight Zones and Rules

Songkran 2027 in Bangkok runs from Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April 2027, the official Thai New Year public holiday. It is the hottest week of the year and the city's biggest party: for three days whole streets turn into water fights, while temples fill with families pouring scented water over Buddha images and the hands of their elders. This guide explains the dates, where the water fights happen in Bangkok, the rules the city now enforces, and how to enjoy it as a visitor.

Last checked: October 2026. The holiday dates come from Thailand's published 2027 public holiday calendar. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) usually confirm street zones, hours and the official festival programme in March, so details for 2027 are not out yet. Below we describe what happened in 2026 as a guide, and we will add confirmed events to the April 2027 calendar.

Songkran 2027 dates

Day	Date	Tradition
Wan Maha Songkran	Tuesday 13 April	The sun enters Aries, the traditional start of the Thai new year; also National Elderly Day
Wan Nao	Wednesday 14 April	The "in-between" day; also National Family Day
Wan Thaloeng Sok	Thursday 15 April	The first day of the new year

All three days are public holidays, so banks and government offices close. Many Bangkok residents go back to their home provinces, which makes the city noticeably quieter on the roads, apart from the party zones. Many people also take Friday 16 April off to make a six-day break, but as of October 2026 no extra bridging holiday for 2027 has been announced. The government sometimes adds special holidays at short notice, so check closer to the date.

Water play in Bangkok often starts a day or two before 13 April. In 2026 TAT's big festival opened on 11 April and the BMA's events ran from 11 to 15 April.

What Songkran is about

Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "passing" or "moving", referring to the sun's move into a new zodiac sign. At its core it is a family festival: people visit their parents and grandparents, pour water over their hands to ask for blessings, clean their homes and make merit at the temple. The water fights grew out of the gentle custom of sprinkling water as a blessing and a way to cool off in the April heat. In 2023 UNESCO added "Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival" to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Where to celebrate Songkran in Bangkok

Silom Road

Silom is Bangkok's biggest street water fight. The road is closed to traffic and fills with tens of thousands of people, with the BTS Skytrain running overhead. The busiest stretch is usually around Sala Daeng (BTS) and Si Lom (MRT), near Lumphini Park. In 2026 Silom was an official zone from 12 to 14 April, with event hours of roughly 10 AM to 9 PM and water play from midday to 8 PM. Expect to be soaked within seconds of leaving the station, and expect very slow movement through the crowd in the late afternoon.

The bars and clubs of Silom and Patpong stay busy after the water stops. For where to go after dark, see our Silom nightlife guide and the nights-out hub. Browse the Silom and Sathorn area page for listed events.

Khao San Road and Banglamphu

Khao San Road is the backpacker capital of Songkran: a short, packed street of bars, foam, music and water guns, with the action spilling into Rambuttri and the streets around Wat Chana Songkhram. It is the wildest of the Bangkok zones and the most international. Local police issue their own rules for the area each year, and in 2026 they announced strict controls on Khao San. It is in the old town, so see our Old Town area page for nearby events. There is no metro station close by: the nearest options are the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Phra Arthit pier or a taxi to Banglamphu.

Official festivals and parks

TAT runs a large free government festival, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival. The venue changes: in 2025 it took over Sanam Luang in the old town, and in 2026 it moved to Benjakitti Park from 11 to 15 April, open 11 AM to 10 PM with free entry. It mixes water zones with Thai food, cultural shows, concerts and fireworks. The 2027 venue and dates have not been announced.

The BMA also organises events at Lan Khon Mueang, the square in front of Bangkok City Hall near the Giant Swing, with traditional activities such as bathing Buddha images. Siam Square and the CentralWorld area usually host gentler, more family-friendly water play.

Temples: the traditional side

For a calmer experience, visit a temple on the morning of 13 April. At Wat Pho, Wat Arun and many neighbourhood temples you will see people pouring water over Buddha images, building sand stupas (chedi sai) in the temple grounds and giving food to monks. Dress respectfully and keep your water gun outside.

Music festivals

Bangkok's Songkran week also brings big ticketed water-and-music festivals. The best known is S2O Songkran Music Festival, which in 2026 ran from 11 to 13 April at a new site called S2O Land on Ratchadaphisek Road. Its 2027 dates and venue have not been announced. Our music festivals in Thailand 2026-2027 guide will track it once they are.

Songkran rules in Bangkok

The city has tightened the rules in recent years. In 2026 the BMA's guidelines for official water play zones included:

• No alcohol sold or drunk in the official water splashing zones.
• No high-pressure water guns or water cannons. Police can seize them, and causing harm with one can lead to fines or even a prison sentence.
• No powder (the white chalky "din sor phong" paste) smeared on people in public, and no foam parties in controlled areas.
• No indecent behaviour or revealing clothing. Fines of up to THB 5,000 were reported for indecent acts.
• Water play ends by 10 PM at the latest, with earlier cut-offs on Silom in 2026.
• No sexual harassment. Unwanted touching is a crime, and police and volunteers patrol the zones.

Expect similar rules for 2027, but the exact list is published each year. Private venues and festivals set their own terms on top of these.

Etiquette: how to play nicely

• Do not target monks, the elderly, babies, people in uniform, motorcyclists or anyone clearly not taking part (for example someone in office clothes walking to work).
• Aim below the head. Splashing into faces, especially with iced water, is discouraged.
• Use clean water. Refill stations sell water for a few baht; never use canal water.
• Smile. If you get soaked, that is the point. Getting angry with people who splash you is considered very bad form.

Practical tips for Songkran 2027

• Waterproof everything. Buy a waterproof phone pouch (sold everywhere for about THB 50 to 100) and carry cash in a zip bag.
• Wear light, quick-dry clothes and shoes with grip. Floral "Songkran shirts" are the unofficial uniform. Avoid white clothing that becomes see-through.
• Use the BTS and MRT. Many roads close, and taxis are scarce near the zones. Expect very crowded stations at Sala Daeng and Si Lom.
• Protect your eyes and skin. Goggles help, and it is usually the hottest week of the year, with highs often near 35 C or more. Drink plenty of water.
• Watch the roads. Songkran is one of the most dangerous times of year on Thai roads. Do not ride a motorbike after drinking, and take care in traffic.
• Book early. Hotels near Silom and Khao San fill up and raise prices. Many restaurants and shops close for the holiday, while malls stay open.

More things to do around Songkran

If water fights are not your thing, the long weekend is a good time for indoor plans and early-morning sport while the city is quiet. The running races calendar lists early-2027 races, and the sports pages show what is on at padel clubs and gyms. For the year's other big festival, see our Chinese New Year 2027 Bangkok guide. Closer to now, check what is on this weekend and this week, or browse all festivals.

FAQ

When is Songkran 2027?

The official Songkran public holiday in 2027 runs from Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April. Water play in Bangkok often starts a day or two earlier.

Will there be an extra holiday for Songkran 2027?

As of October 2026 no extra bridging day has been announced. Thailand sometimes adds special holidays at short notice, so check closer to April.

Where is the biggest water fight in Bangkok?

Silom Road is the largest street water fight, centred around BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Si Lom. Khao San Road is the wildest and most international. TAT's free Maha Songkran World Water Festival (Benjakitti Park in 2026) is the biggest official event.

Can you drink alcohol at Songkran in Bangkok?

Not in the official water zones. In 2026 the BMA banned alcohol sales and drinking in all its water splashing areas. Bars and private venues outside the zones follow their normal licensing.

Are water guns allowed?

Ordinary water pistols and buckets are fine. High-pressure water guns are banned in the official zones, and so is smearing powder on people.

Is Songkran safe for families?

Yes, if you choose the right place. Temples in the morning, Siam Square, mall events and the official park festival are calmer than Silom or Khao San. Keep small children away from the densest crowds in the afternoon.