Which Thai city is known for the Songkran celebration called Hae Nang Dan?

Nakhon Si Thammarat is known for the Songkran celebration called Hae Nang Dan.

Hae Nang Dan is a distinctive southern Thai procession associated with Nakhon Si Thammarat. Its name refers to carrying or parading Nang Dan figures, traditionally linked with guardian deities and local religious heritage. The celebration reflects the city’s long history as an important cultural center in southern Thailand.

Unlike the generic image of Songkran as a nationwide water fight, local celebrations often preserve their own processions, performances, sacred objects, and regional stories. Hae Nang Dan is one example of how the Thai New Year combines broadly shared customs with strong local identity.

Nakhon Si Thammarat is also associated with Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, one of southern Thailand’s most important Buddhist temples. Visitors may therefore encounter temple-centered rituals and cultural events alongside the more modern public water festivities.