Part of our Thailand guide.
Songkran is Thailand’s national water festival, held annually from April 13 to 15. The Monkey Buffet Festival takes place in Lopburi on the last Sunday of November.
Vibrant Water Festivals That Drench And Delight
Songkran marks the Thai New Year and is celebrated nationwide with water fights, parades, and traditional rituals. Streets in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok become water playgrounds where locals and tourists splash, spray, and drench each other. The festival also includes visiting temples to pour scented water over Buddha statues and elders as a sign of respect. In Pattaya, the celebrations often extend a few extra days, and you can pair the trip with things to do in Pattaya, Thailand once you dry off.
Vibrant Monkey Buffet Festivals In Thailand
Every year in Lopburi, thousands of long-tailed macaques are treated to a feast. Tables overflow with fruits, vegetables, and sweets, set out for the monkeys who roam the ancient temple ruins. The event began in 1989 to boost local tourism and thank the monkeys for drawing visitors. You can watch them munch on watermelon or toss bananas around. Lopburi is about two hours north of Bangkok by train, making it an easy day trip if you are looking for hidden gems in Thailand.
How To Plan A Spring Break Trip
Thailand is a strong choice for spring break, which typically falls between March and April. That timing overlaps with Songkran in mid-April, so you can combine beach time with the water festival. Start by choosing your base: Bangkok for city energy, Phuket for beaches, or Chiang Mai for culture and nearby mountains. Budget for domestic flights or overnight trains between regions; a flight from Bangkok to Phuket takes about an hour and a half. Book accommodation at least two months ahead if you plan to be in a festival city during Songkran. If you have a long layover in Bangkok, consider to do with a long layover in Bangkok rather than rushing straight to the beach. For a quieter spring break, skip the party islands and explore the northern hills or the southern islands like Koh Lanta. Pack light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, and a waterproof bag for your phone during Songkran.
For travelers heading south, overwater bungalows in Thailand are available on islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi, though they book out months in advance for spring break. If you are planning to attend the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, check the lunar calendar—the party happens once a month, not weekly. The beginner's guide to the full Moon party covers what to bring, where to stay, and how to get there safely. For those more interested in culture than parties, Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat: Thailand's floating pagodas is a striking temple complex in Chiang Mai province, accessible by a steep hike or four-wheel-drive transfer. And if you are shopping for souvenirs, gems for Thai silk shopping in Bangkok can be found at Jim Thompson House or the Chatuchak Weekend Market.
