What are the official dates of Thailand’s Songkran public holiday each year?

Thailand’s Songkran public holiday is officially observed from April 13 to April 15 each year.

These three dates correspond to the central New Year period, although many communities begin celebrations earlier and continue them afterward. Water play, temple visits, family reunions, and traditional ceremonies can therefore last longer than the formal holiday.

April 13 is commonly associated with the opening of the festival, April 14 with family activities, and April 15 with the New Year itself in modern public observance. Local calendars and provincial events may add extra days.

Songkran is often described simply as a water festival, but water is only one part of a broader Thai New Year tradition. Religious merit-making, respect for elders, cleaning, and reunions remain important alongside public celebrations.