What Songkran is

The Thai new year, kept in mid-April and famous for the water fights that fill the streets of Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

The water began as a blessing poured over the hands of elders and Buddha images; the street version came later.

When it falls, and why the date moves

The countdown at the top of this page is live, and the date beneath it is the next occurrence. This is a fixed date: it falls on the same day of the month every year, so only the weekday changes.

It is grouped here under Cultural, alongside the other observances that share its calendar.

What is coming up next

Once this date passes, the countdown moves on according to the recurrence rule described above. Calculated lunar dates remain estimates until the relevant calendar or local authority confirms them. See the full list of upcoming events, or use the countdown timer for a duration of your own.