Overview

Songkran festival is alternatively known as “Water Festival” since most people have believed that the bad luck or evil can be washed away by water. Actually, the meaning of the word “Songkran” is “move” or “change the location”. Moreover, Songkran tradition has much value for Thai community, society and religions because it gives a chance to family members to meet each other and represent their respect to their elder members normally by pouring the scented water to their hands. Then, these elder members will wish their younger members good luck and prosperity.

Where to join this festival

Normally, Sonkran festival can be found everywhere. However, it is recommended that you should go to the main city (basically, Muang District) of any provinces because most people usually go there and it is also easy to find the necessary equipments such as water guns, powder. The examples of popular destinations for Songkran Festval are Pattaya (Chonburi), Khao San Road (Bangkok), Chiangmai, etc.

Activity

In the morning, generally, people will meet their family members mainly to visit and show their respect to their elder members as mentioned above and then they will have lunch with their families. Then, in the afternoon, it is time to have fun because most people normally go out with water and other stuffs like water gun or powder and splash water on each other.

Furthermore, for Songkran Festival, there is traditionally the Nang Nopamas Contest that many beautiful girls and women usually attend this contest.

At night, pubs and bars are normally crowded because most people also enjoy nightlife during the Songkran Festival. The most popular nightlife area in Bangkok is Khao San Road where you can find various pubs and bars. More infomation

Calendar of Thailand’s Grand Events 2006
January	Launching “Thailand Grand Invitation Year” Campaign The Royal Throphy : Europe VS Asia Golf Championship, Chon Buri, 5-7 January 2006, The Grand Chinese New Year, Nationwide, 29-30 January 2006
February	The Grand Bangkok International Film Festival, Bangkok, 17-27 February 2006
March	The Grand Music & Dance Festival, Pattaya Beach, 17-19 March 2006 The Grand International Kites Festival, Hua Hin, 11-15 March 2006,
April	The Grand Songkran Festival, Nationwide, 13-15 April 2006
May	The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok, 11 May 2006
June	The Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, Nationwide, 9 June 2006 Major dress rehearsals of the Grand Royal Barge procession 6, 9 June 2005 The Grand Royal Barge Procession, Bangkok 12 June 2006 The Grand Opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport
July	The Grand Candle Festival & International Candle Carving Competition, Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani, 5-11 July 2006
August	The Grand Celebration of H.M. the Queen’s Birthday, Nationwide, 12 August 2006
September	The Grand International Boat Races, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, 9-10 September 2006
October	The Grand Royal Barge Procession and Robe Offering, Bangkok
November	Andrea Bocelli the Royal Concert at the World Heritage Site, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya The Grand Loi Krathong Festival, Nationwide, 5 November 2006 The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, Chiang Mai, 1-12 November 2006
December	The Grand Celebration of H.M. the King’s Birthday, Nationwide, 5 December 2006 The Grand Jazz Festival, Bangkok, 19-20 December 2006 The Grand New Year’s Celebration, Bangkok, 31 December 2006 - 1January 2007
More Infomation : http://www.tourismthailand.org