Phuket Celebrates Songkran With Island-Wide Water Festivities and Cultural Events

Phuket is in full celebration mode as locals and visitors mark Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year. Festivities began gradually over the weekend, with the main celebrations taking place on April 13.

Across the island, April 13 is considered the peak day of Songkran. While Patong started its water fights a day earlier on April 12, most other areas follow a more concentrated one-day schedule. However, younger participants and tourists often extend the celebrations beyond this informal timeline.

One of the key organized events in Phuket is “Songkran No Alcohol,” hosted by local authorities in the afternoon of April 13 along Dibuk Road in front of Limelight Phuket in Phuket Town. This family-oriented zone prohibits alcohol sales and entry, with municipal officers, police, and volunteers ensuring order. The program includes traditional Buddhist rituals such as Buddha statue bathing, followed by water celebrations, live music, and food stalls.

For those more interested in cultural traditions, a separate program was held on April 12 during the Chartered Walking Street Sunday market. That event focused on religious and cultural activities, including water pouring rituals, respect ceremonies for elders, and traditional performances, without large-scale water fights.

Elsewhere on the island, more energetic celebrations are taking place. Bangla Road in Patong remains the most famous hotspot for Songkran water battles. Additional events are spread across Phuket, including the Phuket Bike Week festival at Loma Park, which coincides with the holiday period from April 12–14.

In Kathu, a two-day music and water festival organized by the local municipality began yesterday evening near the district office and continues into April 13. Meanwhile, Soi Ta-Ied in Chalong—known for its boxing gyms—has also become a popular celebration area. This year, authorities shifted the main municipal Songkran event there, starting the day with alms-giving ceremonies at 6:30 a.m., followed by traditional rituals at 10:00 a.m., and water fights beginning in the afternoon that continue late into the day.

Traditional Songkran customs are also observed across the island, including the building of sand pagodas at temples and beaches. One of the main sites for participation is Wat Sapam Thammaram in Koh Kaew, where rituals are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

In Cherng Talay, beachfront clubs and resorts, including the Laguna Phuket complex, host their own celebrations. Water parks such as Splash Jungle and Andamanda Phuket also offer special Songkran programs, adding to the island-wide festive atmosphere.