The Songkran festival celebrated in Pattaya is called Wan Lai. The name identifies Pattaya’s locally distinctive, extended version of Thailand’s traditional Thai New Year festivities.
Thailand’s official Songkran period is centered on April 13–15, but Pattaya’s Wan Lai celebrations traditionally continue for several days longer. The event is especially associated with large water fights, crowded streets, music, cultural performances, beauty pageants, fireworks and water-sports competitions.
Wan Lai literally refers to a “flowing day” or a day when celebrations continue or are held later than the main Songkran dates. Pattaya’s event is often linked with the wider Chon Buri coastal tradition, where different communities hold their own later water festivals. A common mix-up is choosing Wan Nao, Wan Thaloeng Sok or Maha Songkran: those are names for traditional Songkran days or concepts, not Pattaya’s local festival name.