• About
  • Blog
  • Destinations
  • Wild Junket

  • Course
  • Work with Me

Wild Junket

Celebrating Songkran in Bangkok and Yangon

April 16, 2012

Last Updated on August 24, 2023

It’s wet, it’s wild and it’s loud. Songkran festival is synonymous with massive water wars and street parties. In Thailand and many other parts of Southeast Asia, Songkran is celebrated as the traditional New Year’s Day. Traditionally,  people celebrate by paying respects to the elders and visiting the temples to pray or give food to monks. The splashing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, but these days, it has evolved into major water fights and a means to cool off from the heat.

Over the weekend, we celebrated Songkran in Khao San, Bangkok where locals and tourists alike flood the streets, armed with chrome-colored water guns, ready to have a good time. We squeezed elbow-to-elbow with the crowd, getting buckets of ice cold water poured on our heads and chalk powder smeared on our faces. The Thais sure know how to bring in the new year and there’s no better way to experience it than to join in the fun. Here are some photos from Songkran (taken with my waterrproof camera):

People covered in powder and water

People covered in powder and water on the streets of Khao San, Bangkok

Khao San, Bangkok

Mayhem along Khao San Road

People armed with water guns and buckets

Travel Insurance for Frequent Travelers

I’ve been using Safety Wing for years now, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made as a frequent traveler. Their Nomad Insurance plan is affordable and provides solid coverage for medical emergencies regardless of where I’m traveling. It’s been super reliable for me, and I think you’ll find it just as helpful on your adventures!

Families and friends get armed with water guns and prepare to have a good time

Alberto and I
Alberto and I having the time of our lives

Our gang

Cranking it up a notch in Yangon, Burma

Just when we thought Songkran in Bangkok was possibly the best festival experience we’ve had, we arrived in Yangon where the street parties and water fights were even bigger, louder and crazier. The Burmese New Year, known as Thingyan, obviously involved plenty of water splashing as well. In the city centre of Yangon, stages were set up along the streets, packed with hundreds of young Burmese, spraying water with luminous green hoses while gyrating to Burmese rock and the occasional Lady Gaga songs. Around Sule Pagoda, there were traditional dance performance as well as clusters of street food stalls and roads blocked out for revelers.

READ NOW
Annapurna Foothills Trek — A Complete Guide

Plenty of Burmese came up to us, shook our hands, and asked if we were enjoying ourselves. I lost count of the number of times the friendly locals shouted as us (the only foreigners on the streets), “Welcome to Myanmar!” We will be spending the next few weeks in Burma – meanwhile, here are some photos from the water festival in Yangon:

Dancing in the water

People fill up the temporary stages to spray the trucks with hoses and dance the day away

Getting wet

Getting wet on trucks

People on stage spraying

Underneath the hoses

Streets closed for Thingyan

In front of the Parliament House, streets are closed for the massive water fight

Trucks getting stuck in traffic

Trucks upon trucks of people are stuck in traffic as they head into town for the epic street party


READ MORE: Chinese New Year in Singapore

4 Comments
Share
Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. As an accomplished travel writer, she has written for BBC Travel, CNN and Rough Guides. She is also the author of five travel books, including the latest Lonely Planet's Mexico guidebook. Read more about her here and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The Comments

  • At Home in Bangkok | Wild Junket
    May 18, 2012

    […] Bangkok has been a frequent stop for us – since it’s a major hub in the region. Our Songkran experience in Bangkok was definitely one to remember; so are the times spent hopping from one temple to the next, […]

    Reply
  • Nellie
    May 21, 2012

    Ah what a pity! Well I\’m sure you\’ll get to go back someday. ;)

    Reply
  • Peter Mallarck
    May 6, 2013

    That sure looks like a lot of fun. I just hope they don't go chasing people into their hotel rooms. As much as I'd want to participate in the festival, I'd still want to enjoy being relaxed and dry in my suite.

    Reply

You May Also Like

October 22, 2024

Tokyo Itinerary: 5 Days in Tokyo

October 23, 2019

Japan Off the Beaten Path: Traveling the Northward Golden Route

October 7, 2024

My 5-Day Shanghai Itinerary

Hi, I’m Nellie

A published book author, professional travel writer and adventurous mum on a quest to visit every country in the world!

Current Location

Current Location

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Shop My Favorites

Eagle Creek

Osprey Backpacks

Columbia

KEEN Shoes

Teva Sandals

My Books

product_title_1

Lonely Planet Mexico

product_title_2

Lonely Planet Singapore

product_title_3

Explorers

product_title_4

Amsterdam Like a Local

product_title_5

The Adventure Traveler's Handbook

My Latest Video

My Latest Video My Latest Video
Follow Me for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Singapore with Kids: How to Plan a Singapore Family Trip 2022

    Singapore with Kids: How to Plan a Singapore Family Trip 2025

    April 8, 2025
  • Best Croatian Islands to Visit

    8 Best Croatian Islands to Visit in 2025

    March 26, 2025
  • Pakistan with Kids: Our Tips & Guide

    Pakistan with Kids: Our Tips & Guide

    March 25, 2025
  • Spain with Kids: Tips from an Expat

    Spain with Kids: Tips from an Expat

    March 24, 2025
  • Portugal with Kids: My Portugal Family Travel Guide

    Portugal with Kids: My Portugal Family Travel Guide

    March 23, 2025

COPYRIGHT © 2024 WILD JUNKET. PRIVACY POLICY Site Powered by Pix & Hue.