When is Songkran Festival ?

[johnnyboy 0]

I am looking to go to Pattaya in April and need to know when the festival is from and to.

[Leadbelly 0]

johhnyboy- Here is some information about Songkran from the internet:  

 

<<Songkran happens in mid-April, usually between the 12 and 15 April, but expect the water fights to start a couple of days earlier.

 

What's It All About?

 

Although for most visitors, Songkran is just a big water fight, there are a number of private and public events that devout Buddhists will adhere to.

 

The festival officially happens over four days. On the first day, Wan Sangkhan Lohng, houses are cleaned and there is a procession of Buddha images and floats ‹ all of which get drenched by the spectators.

 

The second day, Wan Nao, is when special food is cooked and people collect sand from the rivers to make sand chedis (Buddhist towers) in the temple courtyards.

 

The third day, Wan Payawan, is the first day of the new year and when the water fights traditionally started. People get up early to offer the food cooked the previous day and new robes to the monks.

 

On the last day of the festival, Wan Park Bpee, people are supposed to visit and pay respect to ancestors and the elderly, in part by pouring scented water over their hands.

 

The water fights generally last for a whole week, from a few days before the start of Songkran until a few days afterwards.>>>

[Daveuk 28]

Was there this year - wet through most of the time

Can be good fun though