Thailand's most celebrated festival is Songkran – the Thai new year. It starts on April 13 and lasts for between three and ten days, depending on where you’re resident. For most, it’s lots of fun and an excuse to cool off at what is usually the hottest time of the year. However, there’s a deeper significance to Songkran which is rooted in our history and in our beliefs. Allow us to tell you about this. Perhaps it will enhance your enjoyment of the event.

The word Songkran is from the Sanskrit ‘Sangkranti’, which means ‘to move upwards’ or ‘to be about to change’. On the eve of the festival, Thais spring clean their homes, symbolically expelling any bad luck from the old year and prepare for good fortune in the new. Food and other contributions are offered to the monks at the temple early on the morning of the 13th, after which there are ceremonial prayers. Water is also poured on the ground, or on the roots of an ancient tree, symbolising a blessing to ancestors.

Thais who have moved from their home towns always try to return to their families for Songkran and all forms of transport are booked solid. For this reason you should try to avoid travelling before, during or immediately after the holiday, particularly by bus or train.

In many towns and villages, a Buddha image is carried in a procession through the streets and people sprinkle water upon it, to show their respect. In the southern provinces, village elders are invited to the temple and young people splash water on their heads, signaling their blessings of health and long life. The elders respond by wishing the young, vigour, wealth and happiness. In another delightful custom, Thais visit their elderly relatives bringing them new clothes for the coming year.

Increasingly, urban Thais have come to celebrate the holiday in a frenzy of water-throwing. Nobody is immune. One of my fondest memories of Songkran is of an immaculately uniformed policeman (they’re normally very much on their dignity) smiling good-naturedly as he paused to empty water from his highly polished boots. Unfortunately these high jinks can get out of hand. Motorised gangs equipped with high pressure water cannons, iced water and lots of enthusiasm, would get each other (and anybody else) wet, in running battles through the streets. Unfortunately, speeding traffic, wet roads and alcoholic bravado make for a dangerous cocktail. In the recent past the holidays have been marred by tragic loss of life and injury. Inevitably the authorities have had to move in to safeguard people.

These days the holiday activities are closely monitored by police and mass water throwing on Phuket is generally confined to a single day (13 April), and to specific zones − in Phuket City at Saphan Hin and at Rawai Beach, Kata/Karon Beaches, Nai Yang Beach, Surin Beach and Patong Beach.

Songkran in Patong usually begins the evening before – April 12, when normal activities in the bars cease, and the world's biggest water carnival begins. If you’re staying in one of the tourist centres like Patong, there really is no way of avoiding a soaking, unless you stay in your hotel.

Our advice is, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’ Don’t forget to put wallets, mobile 'phones, cigarettes, lighters etc in a plastic bag.

Phuket Bike Week is also held during Songkran Festival. Owners of big bikes will ride round the island in convoy on the 11th. There’s also a motorcycle exhibition at Jungceylon and a show at Loma Park. If you own a custom bike, have a tattoo and are beautiful (admittedly an unlikely combination), this could be a good time for you. Be there. There are contests for Best Tattoo, Best Bike, and ‘Miss Phuket Bike Week 2010’, will be chosen. For more information visit www.phuketbikeweek.com.

Contact details
Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket office

Tel: +66 (0)76 211036
Website: www.tat.or.th/phuket.