Please note that the military government has called for all Songkran celebrations to end at midnight this year. 

CULTURAL EVENTS 

Water Festival 2017

Date: Apr 13-16

Price: Free

Location: Various temples and malls along the Chao Phraya River

Now in its third year, The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s four-day festival returns to save the cultural roots of Songkran, inviting people to spend a family day out at seven riverside destinations to make merit and hang out by the river.

Participating temples include Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaram (Wat Arun), Wat Kalayanamitra, Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) and Wat Prayurawongsawas. Expect to find many traditional activities at each temple, ranging from merit-making for the new year to traditional dance performances. It’ll all be set up in a temple fair atmosphere, complete with food booths and carnival games. 

On top of this, riverside community malls Tha Maharaj, Asiatique and Yodpiman River Walk are joining in on the fun with a series of concerts, fun games and plenty of shopping and dining stalls. 

Easy transport access is also guaranteed in the form of free boat shuttles to the participating venues from seven piers, including Tha Tien, Yodpiman River Pier, Tha Maharaj, Wat Arun Pier, Asiatique Pier, Wat Kalaya Pier and Wat Prayoon Pier. Do note these only run from 9am-6pm.

NIGHTLIFE PARTIES

Aqua-Aquatic Songkran Festival

Date: Apr 13-16

Price: Tickets start at B250

Venue: Aquatic Land, Ror Por Chor Rd. 

This 4-day neon festival asks you to come get with music from Joey Boy & GancoreClub, Boom Boom Cash, The Mousses, Cocktail, Musteteeres, Mocca Garden and Thaitanium. 

Dark & Dirty Presents Kolour Crew

Date: Apr 13 

Price: B250 at the door, includes one drink

Venue: Glow, Sukhumvit 23 Rd. 

Mendy Indigo’s monthly event  brings in two of Bangkok favorites and Kolour Crew members, Coran and Koish, to kick-off the new year and bring dark and sensual sounds to life. 

Flowhouse Songkran Fest

Date: Apr 13-15

Price: Free entry

Venue: Flow House, Sukhumvit Soi 26 

For an alternative way to get wet this Songkran, hop on the surf simulators at the popular waterpark, which has teamed up with several Thai craft beer brands, ranging from Changwon Express to Mahanakhon, to bring special beer promotions throughout the event. Though the flow-riding session’s don’t come for free, there is a three-day promo throughout Songkran at B1,800 that includes nine hours of flow-riding and 10 beers—yours to use up throughout the three-day period.

Songkran Extra Light Smile 2017

Date: Apr 13-15

Price: Tickets start at B300, includes one drink 

Venue: DND Club, Ekkamai Rd. 

Held at the club’s outdoor area, a team of DJs host a different sound for every day of Songkran: hip-hop, trap and twerk on day one; thumping EDM on day two; and the sound of the ‘90s on day three.

Songkran Bangkok Beach Party 

Date: Apr 13-15

Price: Free entry

Venue: Craft, Sukhumvit Soi 23

The open-air craft beer specialist transforms into a beach-themed street party featuring live performances ranging from a sand sculpture show to fire dancers, all alongside Mexican food and quality craft beer. 

Justin James Songkran After Party

Date: Apr 14

Price: B300, includes one drink

Venue: Insanity Nightclub

The international producer and DJ provides the beats for a Songkran after-party at the Sukhumvit club. 

Songkran Music Festival 

Date: Apr 14-15

Price: B200 at the door (includes one drink)

Venue: Mustache Bar, 244/5 Pracha Songkhro Rd.

Some of the city’s most popular EDM and techno DJs, including Coran, Nemo Cools, Alex Fischer, Fred Canal and Rory, take over the decks for this two-night party. 

G-Circuit 

Date: Apr 14-16

Price: B2,300-10,400, available at www.gcircuit.com

Venue: Various venues across the city 

Bangkok’s biggest annual gay-focused Songkran party returns to take over the city with three dance parties and two pool parties. Expect plenty of EDM beats across all parties, courtesy of DJs including Spectrum K, Nina Flowers, Preeda Tony and more. 

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POOL PARTIES

Ambar Foam Pool Party ft Songkran Fest

Date: Apr 15

Price: B400 at the door (includes one drink)Venue: Ambar, Sukhumvit Soi 15 

International DJs Mizuyo (Japan), Patsan (Australia) and Natsha (Russa) join local DJ Sagar for an afternoon of pop music in this foamy pool party that guarantees loads of bubbles. There’s also an open bar between 12-1pm and special cocktail promotions. 

Songkran So Pool Party: Mystic Sphere

Date: Apr 14

Price: B750 (includes one drink), available at eventpop.me

Venue: The Water Club, SO Sofitel, 2 North Sathorn Rd. 

So Sofitel hosts a special Songkran edition of their monthly infinity pool party series, packed with laser beams, cocktails, barbecue food and house music.

Blast! Pool Series #SongkranExperience

Date: Apr 13-15

Price: TBA

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit

A three-day pool party courtesy of the Blast Bangkok electronic music party team, promising quality techno and deep house tunes plus plenty of drink deals. 

Songkran Splash Away

Date: Apr 13

Price: B700-900 (includes one drink), available at eventpop.me

Venue: W Bangkok, 106 North Sathorn Rd. 

The hip hotel brings back its annual Songkran pool party, with this year’s edition under a tropical theme. Expect music from DJs Mendy Indigo, Orawan, Arun and Kurrypup on the wet deck from afternoon till evening.

H20 Open Air

Date: Apr 14, 1pm-9pm

Price: Presale B400, B600 at the door

Venue: II Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel, Wireless Rd.

The afternoon pool party sponsored by Bacardi, Chang, Thai Bev, and Siam2nite carries on into the night with DJs Octo, Tech-12, To-Ru, and KC supporting the lush pool area for a day of fun in the sun. 

Songkran Splash by the Pool

Date: Apr 14-15

Price: Barbecue (B599), Barbecue and endless drinks (B1599), available at [email protected]

Venue: Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel 

Celebrate the Thai new year wheeling water guns and tossing pool balls around while a barbecue is grilling and DJ Fabrizio’s beats play in the background.

Sky High Splash Out Songkran

Date: Apr 15, 4pm-late

Price: B950, includes two standard drinks

Venue: Attitude Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel 

The 26-story-high bar hosts its first infinity pool party with their resident DJ controlling the mood all evening. 

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MUSIC FESTIVALS

S2O Music Festival 

Date: Apr 13-15

Price: Tickets start at B1,900, available at s2ofestival.com

Venue: Oasis Arena @ Show DC, RCA, Rama 9 Rd. 

Arguably the biggest Songkran-themed music festival, this three-day event welcomes huge international EDM DJs to the stage for a night of danceable beats and water fights. Headlining this year across the three days are Dash Berlin, Don Diablo and Kaskade, who’ll be joined by the likes of Laidbake Luke, Yellow Claw, Jay Hardway, Martin Jensen, Michael Calfan and many more.

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Water Wars Canceled on Khao San

Bangkok’s backpacker mecca will not be joining in the full-on water fighting this Songkran (Apr 13-15). With the party strip in such close proximity to the Grand Palace, authorities are urging revelers in the area to toe a conservative line as a show of continued mourning for HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, meaning no “entertainment activities,” use of powder and water guns, or scanty attire. Only traditional water sprinkling and merit-making will be permitted, along with a Buddha image procession. The entire length of this backpacker haven usually turns into an all-day water-fight zone for the duration of the festival, packed with huge crowds of teenagers and international backpackers. The cancelation of Songkran festivities on Khao San Road leaves Silom Road and RCA as the main party zones for this year's wet and wild celebrations.