Songkran

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated all over the country but nowhere with more enthusiasm than in Chiang Mai.

Part of the celebration is religious, marked by merit- making ceremonies at local temples. It is also fun with good- natured water throwing parades and beauty contests.

Chiang Mai is about the best place in Thailand to celebrate the Thai New Year. The celebrations are concentrated at Tha Pae Gate but spread over the entire city.

During the water- throwing funfest, anyone and everyone are liable to get thoroughly drenched. This provides succor in the scorching heat of the summer months. The water- throwing custom may have come from the mythical belief that sea serpents or 'naga' bring rains by spouting water from the sea.

This water throwing lasts for three whole days and even longer in the adjacent countryside. In the afternoon a parade of Buddha images from many Chiang Mai temples goes from the railway station to Wat Phra Singh. People toss water scented with perfume and flowers to bathe the images as they pass along the streets.

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Contact Information

Songkran
Citywide
50100 Chiang Mai, NT

Tel. +6653248604

http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_chiangmai_songkran.