Songkran Meaning

What does Songkran mean?

Songkran means "movement". The word comes from the Sanskrit word sankranti, and it names the day the sun moves from Pisces into Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. In Thailand, that move marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year.

So the Songkran meaning is a new start: the sun moves into a new sign, and people wash away the old year with water and welcome the new one with blessings. Songkran 2027 is Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April, three public holidays across Thailand.

Where does the Songkran meaning come from?

The meaning of Songkran comes from the sky. Each year in mid-April, after the rice harvest, the sun passes into Aries, and the old Thai calendar counted that as New Year. Families came together, and the new year began with respect for parents, elders and the Buddha.

A famous old tale adds the Songkran Lady, or Nang Songkran. In the story, a god called Kapila Brahma has seven daughters, and each year one of them carries out the New Year duty. Which daughter it is depends on the day of the week Songkran falls on, so every year has its own Songkran Lady.

Want to see the old side of Songkran as well as the water? Ask Tanner.

Which Songkran traditions can you join?

The Songkran traditions are about family, respect and good luck: pouring water over elders' hands, bathing Buddha images, making merit, building sand chedis and splashing water for luck. Visitors are welcome at most of them, as long as you join in with a smile and a little respect.

Go to a temple in the morning, watch first, and follow what the Thai families do. In the afternoon, the streets are yours. Plan it with Tanner.

Songkran traditions also change from region to region, so each city has its own flavour:

• The north: in Chiang Mai, Songkran is Pi Mai Mueang, the Lanna New Year, with temple visits inside the Old City and water around the moat.
• Near Bangkok: Phra Pradaeng keeps the Mon Songkran, held after the main holiday.
• The northeast: Khon Kaen fills Khao Niao Road with one big moving crowd.
• The south: Hat Yai keeps the water going late into the night.
• The east coast: Pattaya holds Wan Lai, its own late Songkran, a few days after the holiday.

Why is water the heart of Songkran?

Water is the heart of Songkran because it stands for cleansing, respect and good luck. Pouring water washes away the bad luck of the old year and wishes people a fresh, cool start to the new one. April is the hottest month in Thailand, so water is a gift too.

That is how a gentle blessing became the famous Thailand water festival. At home and at the temple, water is poured softly. On the street, it comes by the bucket. The idea is the same: a happy, lucky new year.

The one rule: splash the people who are playing, and leave monks, older people and anyone not joining in dry. Read what to wear for Songkran before you go.

What happens on each day of Songkran?

The three days of Songkran each have their own name and job. 13 April is Maha Songkran Day, 14 April is Wan Nao, and 15 April is Wan Payawan, also called Wan Thaloeng Sok, the day the new year begins.

• 13 April, Maha Songkran Day: the sun moves into Aries and the old year ends. It is also National Elderly Day.
• 14 April, Wan Nao: families get ready for merit-making and carry sand into the temple for the sand chedis. It is also Family Day, and the old belief says no quarrels today, for a lucky year.
• 15 April, Wan Payawan (Wan Thaloeng Sok): people go to the temple, make merit for loved ones who have passed away, and do rod nam dam hua with the elders.

Every city plays it a little differently. See every city's dates on the Songkran 2027 page.

Why did UNESCO list Songkran?

UNESCO added Songkran in Thailand to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 6 December 2023. The listing honours Songkran as a living tradition that brings families back together, honours older people and ancestors, and helps whole communities forgive and start again.

The listing names the same things you'll see in April: pouring water for cleansing, respect and good fortune, bathing important Buddha images, splashing family and friends, folk plays, games, music and big family meals.

Songkran has cousins across the region too. Read Songkran vs Thingyan and Asia's other water New Years.

How do you say Happy Songkran in Thai?

To say Happy Songkran in Thai, say "Suk San Wan Songkran" (สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์), which means "Happy Songkran Day". You can also say "Sawasdee Pi Mai" (สวัสดีปีใหม่), which means "Happy New Year". Both are good-luck greetings, and Thais love to hear them.

Add "khrap" if you're a man or "kha" if you're a woman to make it polite, and smile big: you'll probably get splashed right after.

Where can you see Songkran traditions?

You can see Songkran traditions all over Thailand from 13 to 15 April 2027, and some cities start early or finish late. Temples are busiest in the morning; the water fights start after lunch.

• Songkran in Bangkok: temple mornings, then Silom and Khao San Road.
• Songkran in Chiang Mai: the Old City temples and the moat, the most traditional big Songkran.
• Khon Kaen Songkran: Khao Niao Road in the northeast.
• Phra Pradaeng Songkran: the Mon Songkran next to Bangkok, after the holiday.
• Hat Yai Midnight Songkran: the south's water fight that goes into the night.
• Pattaya Wan Lai: the late water fight after the holiday.
• Songkran in Phuket and on Koh Samui: Songkran on the beach.

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What's the Songkran meaning in short?

• Songkran means "movement": the sun moves into Aries, and the Thai New Year begins.

• Water stands for cleansing, respect and good luck.
• The three days: Maha Songkran Day (13 April), Wan Nao (14 April), Wan Payawan (15 April).
• Say "Suk San Wan Songkran" for Happy Songkran Day.
• Songkran 2027: Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April, public holidays. Checked November 2026.

Read Songkran 2027, the what to wear for Songkran and Songkran in a pool villa.

Plan it with Tanner.