Songkran 2024 in Pattaya

[aiden15632]

With Songkran 2024 approaching, it’s exciting to see how this renowned festival will unfold in Pattaya. This year, the festival is particularly significant as it has been officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its cultural importance and the pride it holds for all Thais.

It has been widely publicized that the celebrations will extend throughout the entire month of April this year, a notable expansion from the usual short burst of festivities. This raises questions about how the celebrations will be organized and how they might differ from previous years.

Are the traditional water fights already in full swing? For instance, have you noticed any early activity in popular areas like Soi 7 and Soi 8? Historically, the water fights would taper off by evening, and many bars and agogos would be off-limits to splashing. Is this practice still in place, or have there been any changes?

I’d love to hear about any firsthand experiences or observations from those who are currently in Pattaya or have been there recently. Your insights on how Songkran is being celebrated this year, including any changes in customs or new trends, would be greatly appreciated.

[shant234]

I think the "crowning" event was the traditional Songkran, which has little to do with the water fights in the tourist hotspots.
As for your question:
I experienced it two years ago just as you described it, the water fights are supposed to take place from April 13th to 15th.

[daniel74]

In Pattaya, the fun can last almost two weeks.

If you don't like that kind of thing, you have to stay in the hotel permanently or escape to Koh Samet, for example.

[hilululu]

I heard here in Germany, especially in the "Farang", that the celebrations are supposed to last the whole of April.
But it has since been clarified that this meant other celebrations in different places in the country, while the water fights are held at the usual times.

That should actually have started in Pattaya by now (it's not my thing, by the way, which is why I'm coming later).
However, I also read that only very limited amounts of alcohol are to be offered...that would not fit in at all with Songkran in Pattaya.

[johnson13]

Hi, this is the first time I've been to Songkran in Thailand. In 2019 I had to cancel my trip because of the pandemic.

This is also the first time I've been there in April and I knew it was the low season. But am I just assuming that or is it really dead here in Pattaya at least?
I don't see too many frangipani and the number of women or pretty women is rare.
I've been in Pattaya for 3 nights now and I was so bored that I fled to my wife's in Isaan. I'll probably not go to Pattaya until April 17th, but what I saw there made me think about whether it's even worth it. I think a lot of the ladies have traveled to see their families.
Let's see what the days bring