Ayutthaya Songkran Festival : Thailand  

Ayutthaya Songkran Festival - Travel guide

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province : Ayutthaya Songkran Festival

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phra Mongkon Borphit Viharn (ordination hall) and around the island city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Songkran celebrations will be held at various sites around the island city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya – the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Songkran or Thai New Year festivities will feature ancient customs and traditions of Songkran that have been observed through the centuries.
Highlights and Activities

• Merit-making activities at nine sacred temples
  Offerings are presented to Buddhist monks on the morning of April 13
• Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples throughout Ayutthaya
• The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs
• The building of sand stupas and other merit-making activities
• Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect
• Grand Songkran Procession
• Miss Songkran beauty contest
• Miss Songkran Parade
• Water-splashing

Visitors are invited to join local residents in traditional Songkran merit-making activities to seek blessings for the new year and to witness a range of time-honoured Thai traditions and customs, such as the release of birds and fish as a merit-making gesture and paying homage to the elderly.

Other popular Songkran highlights include the Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and the Grand Songkran procession. The ancient city of Ayutthaya is also famous for its elephant corral. Join the elephants and their mahouts for some Songkran water- splashing fun.

Contact information
TAT Central Region Office - Region 6 Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076, (0) 3524 6077 E-mail: tatyutya@tat.or.th