Thailand’s official Songkran public holidays are normally observed from April 13 to April 15. These dates form the best-known national holiday period for Thailand’s traditional New Year festival.
The celebrations are rooted in an older solar-calendar tradition, when the sun’s movement into Aries marked a major annual transition. Modern festivities commonly include family visits, temple ceremonies, merit-making, respectful water-pouring rituals, and large public water celebrations.
The three-day holiday is often described as Songkran, although local celebrations may begin before April 13 and continue afterward. In some provinces, cultural events and water play last longer than the statutory holiday period.
Songkran should not be confused with the date of Thailand’s current civil New Year, January 1. Thailand’s traditional New Year festival remains tied to the April celebration even though the official calendar year changes on January 1.