1 · The short answer

Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated from 13 to 15 April each year, and UNESCO lists it as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Behind the famous water fights is a quieter tradition: visiting temples, pouring scented water over Buddha images and over the hands of elders as a blessing. Big city events often start a day or two earlier; the Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes each year's programme.

For a phone, Songkran means water from every direction for three days. A waterproof pouch, offline maps and a plan that does not depend on hotel Wi-Fi make the difference.

Ringo Light covers the whole of Thailand on one eSIM with unlimited data at full speed. It arrives by email, installs in one scan and needs no app.

Ringo Light's Thailand plan covers the whole of Thailand: unlimited data at full speed, 2 weeks for $22.99 or 30 days for $32.99, nothing renews. The plan is at ringoesim.com/thailand, and every brand's price for Thailand is compared on one day in Best eSIM for Thailand.

Get Ringo Light for Thailand, from $22.99.

Installed once, next to your own SIM. Your eSIM arrives by email in seconds.

Loading plans for this destination.

We sell data eSIMs for now to fund the full Ringo service. Ringo is self funded. Every plan bought here pays for the build of one plan that works everywhere.

2 · Where the celebrations are

In Bangkok, the city sets up water zones in places such as Silom Road and Siam Square, with riverside events and a large official festival in recent years. Khao San Road is the backpacker water fight. In Chiang Mai, the old city moat becomes one long water battle, and Wat Phra Singh holds a procession of its revered Buddha image so people can bathe it. Phra Pradaeng near Bangkok celebrates a week later with Mon community traditions.

Temples are calm in the mornings and a respectful place to see the traditional side of the festival. Do not splash monks, elders who are not playing, or people at temples.

3 · Keeping your phone dry and connected

  • ✓Waterproof pouch: Sold on every street corner in the days before. Choose one with a neck strap and test it in the sink first.
  • ✓Cash in the pouch too: Keep a little cash and a card with your phone; you will not want to dig through wet pockets.
  • ✓Crowds: Silom, Khao San and the Chiang Mai moat pack tens of thousands of people onto a few cells. Messages get through; video uploads crawl. Post later.
  • ✓Offline maps: Download Bangkok or Chiang Mai in Google Maps so you can navigate without unlocking a wet screen.

4 · Getting around during Songkran

Songkran is the biggest trip home of the Thai year. Buses, trains and domestic flights out of Bangkok fill in the days before 13 April and back again after the 15th, and the roads are notoriously dangerous over the holiday; avoid long drives if you can. Bangkok itself empties and traffic is light, while the BTS and MRT are the easiest way between water zones.

Grab and Bolt both work in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya. Expect fewer drivers in the water zones, and drivers may refuse soaked passengers; walk a block out of the fight before booking.

5 · Apps that help

  • ✓Grab and Bolt: Taxis, motorbike taxis and food delivery. Card payment in the app saves handling wet cash.
  • ✓Google Maps: Accurate for BTS, MRT and walking routes; download offline before you head out.
  • ✓Payments: Cards work in malls and hotels; street food and tuk tuks are cash. Thai QR payments mostly need a Thai bank account.
  • ✓Messages: LINE is Thailand's main messaging app; many hotels and tour operators also use WhatsApp.

6 · Which plan covers the trip

The Ringo Light plan for Thailand covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the islands and everywhere between on one eSIM with unlimited data at full speed. If you are combining Thailand with Vietnam, Cambodia or further countries, the Global plan covers the whole route.

7 · Where to spend Songkran

From the loudest street party to the most traditional temple rites.

Old Bangkok, Bangkok
BangkokOld BangkokThe area around Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace has hosted the city's main official Songkran events in recent years, with temple ceremonies close by.✓Visit the Grand Palace before the festival; dress codes apply and it gets crowded.Photo: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland (edit: TSP), CC BY 4.0
Chao Phraya riverside, Bangkok
BangkokChao Phraya riversideRiverside temples like Wat Arun are the place to see the bathing of Buddha images, and river boats are a dry way across the city.✓Chao Phraya Express boats are packed on holiday afternoons; go early.Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Northern ThailandChiang MaiThe moat around the old city is the most famous Songkran water fight in the country, and the city's temples hold processions and blessings.✓Book flights or the overnight train from Bangkok weeks ahead.Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0
Ayutthaya, Central Thailand
Central ThailandAyutthayaThe old capital holds Songkran events among its temple ruins, including elephant splashing in recent years.✓A day trip by train from Bangkok; trains are busy on holiday departures.Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

8 · Frequently asked questions

When is Songkran?+
Songkran is 13 to 15 April every year. Some city events start a day or two earlier; check the Tourism Authority of Thailand for the year's programme.
How do I keep my phone safe at Songkran?+
Use a waterproof pouch with a neck strap, keep maps offline and avoid opening the phone in the water zones.
Does Grab work during Songkran?+
Yes, in all major cities, though drivers are fewer near water zones and may refuse very wet passengers.
Is Songkran only a water fight?+
No. It is the Thai New Year, with temple visits, merit making and blessings of elders. The water symbolises cleansing and good luck.
How do I install Ringo Light?+
It arrives by email and installs in one scan. No app is needed.

9 · Sources

Read next: best esim for thailand