Surviving the Songkran Festival in Phuket

March 18, 2019.
Tags: Phuket, Events, Tips


The Songkran holidays in Thailand are known throughout the world as consisting of the world’s most massive water fight. What started as a genteel Buddhist New Year’s celebration of merit-making and paying homage to one’s elders, has evolved (some might say devolved) into several days of drinking, dancing, and the largest water fights in the world.
In every village, town and city in the country, from sunup to sundown, there are people out in the streets for whom every passerby becomes a target of powder and the spray of a super-soaker water gun.
The town of Patong in Phuket has become the mecca of massive water fights, especially along Bangla Road. For tourists visiting Thailand specifically to enjoy the water fights, this should be your primary destination. But Phuket Town is also known for water fights in areas frequented by tourists and walking streets such as Thalang Road.
It’s all in good fun, of course. And below is the number one recommendation to tourists visiting Thailand during the festivities of Songkran.


Have a Sense of Humour and Go with the Flow

If you've come to Thailand for a bit of peace and quiet, you've arrived at the wrong time of year. For the Thai people, this is one of the only times of the year where they can take multiple days off, visit their families far from home and relax and have some fun.
Tourists are welcome to take part in all the festivities, and they should only come to the country during the Songkran holidays if they are willing to do just that. Expect to get pelted with water and powder (harmless talcum powder) if you're walking the streets during daylight hours.
If you’re wearing good clothes, simply smile and hold out your hand when Thais bearing water guns approach you. They’ll just sprinkle some water over your hand and appreciate your tolerance and good humour.


  1. Questionable Water Sources

    It can be fun and invigorating to engage in a huge water fight with a huge crowd of strangers. But, you can't know for sure the sources of the water that everyone in the water fight you engage in is using, so it’s best to take precautions.
    Always wear swim goggles and keep your mouth closed during water fights in Phuket. Buy some eyewash and wash out your eyes after your water fight, even if you’re wearing swim goggles. Shower as soon as you can and don’t put your fingers in your mouth when they are wet during a water fight. 

  2. Protect Your Belongings and Electronics

    If you plan to involve yourself in some serious water-fighting on a regular basis during Songkran, investing in a diver’s bag may end up being a wise choice. Many tourists have learned the hard way that Ziploc bags are not reliable protection for expensive smartphones. A condom stretched over your smartphone provides better protection than a Ziploc bag.
    Diver’s bags are thoroughly waterproof bags that are sold in a variety of sizes at dive shops all over Phuket. They can hold your wallet, smartphone, watch and any other valuables that may be damaged by getting repeatedly and thoroughly drenched.

  3. Don’t Go Barefoot

    Avoid bare feet at all times, especially along Bangla Road in Patong, Phuket. Drinking is always a part of the Songkran holidays and, unfortunately, some people don’t dispose of glass bottles responsibly. There is always liable to be broken glass in the streets.
    Buy some cheap lace-up or loafer sneakers and wear them instead of flip-flops. Powder and water combine to make a slippery mess, and you can easily lose traction by wearing flip-flops or lose the flip-flops entirely. 

  4. Young Children and Water Fights

    While water fights may appeal to small children, the water fights during Songkran are definitely for older children and adults. The loud music, raucous behaviour and water coming from all directions may overwhelm and scare young children. Plus, keeping track of your young ones in the huge crowds of a massive water fight can be difficult.
    By all means, buy water guns for your young ones, but have them stage their water fights on the safety of the beach or around the pool area of your accommodations instead of the streets of Phuket.  

  5. Book Your Phuket Accommodations at The Base Height

The Base Height in Phuket Town is the perfect place to escape to after a long day of water fights on the streets of Phuket. This elegant complex of spacious one and two-bedroom apartments provides a relaxing atmosphere after the celebrations on the streets.
The complex features a communal garden, a recreation area and separate fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment, a swimming pool and a child’s pool where your little ones can stage their own water fights in comfort and safety. 


Rental for the Holidays can get you close to the action during Songkran by providing rental properties in Patong Beach as well as all over Phuket. Whether you are interested in being right in the heart of it or looking on from a safe distance, we have the accommodations for you.