Songkran celebrations will be held at various sites around the island city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya — the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Songkran or Thai New Year festivities will feature ancient customs and traditions of Songkran that have been observed through the centuries.
Visitors are invited to join local residents in traditional Songkran merit-making activities to seek blessings for the new year and to witness a range of time-honoured Thai traditions and customs, such as the release of birds and fish as a merit-making gesture and paying homage to the elderly.
Other popular Songkran highlights include the Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and the Grand Songkran procession. The ancient city of Ayutthaya is also famous for its elephant corral. Join the elephants and their mahouts for some Songkran water- splashing fun.
Highlights
13 April
06.00
Buddhist Merit-making at Phra Mongkon Borphit Viharn ordination hall
To mark the Thai New Year, Buddhist merit-making offerings are presented to 199 Buddhist monks on the morning of April 13.
14.00
Songkran procession featuring the 12 astrological signs in the Buddhist lunar calendar
Activities
Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples throughout Ayutthaya
The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs
The building of sand stupas and other merit-making activities
Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect
IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
