Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in 7 Days – Day 4
Songkran is the festival of Thai New Year celebrated from April 13-15. The word “Songkran” means transformation, which marks the change in weather – the arrival of spring. It marks the new year for many other South and South-East Asian countries, for example, many parts of India, also Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Burma, and Laos. In Thailand, Songkran is celebrated with splashing water and putting dry powder on others all across the country, but the maximum fun takes place in Chiang Mai – so we are here!
Highlights of the Day
- Transfer from Koh Pha Ngan to Chiang Mai
- Kamala’s Boutique Guesthouse, Chiang Mai
- Stroll Around the Old City
From Koh Pha Ngan to Chiang Mai
After a nice day of rest post the crazy full moon party, I and Richie have stored enough energy to continue our next leg of journey – off to Chiang Mai.
Our ferry to Don Sak pier at Surat Thani was scheduled at 9 AM, so we checked out from One Love Dome by 8 AM. It is important to reach the pier 30 min before the departure time of your ferry as they need to do check in of the passengers and luggage.
To reach the guesthouse of Chiang Mai from One Love Dome:
- Taxi (flag it down) from One Love Dome to Thong Sala pier
- Lomprayah catamaran (booked online earlier) from Thong Sala pier, Koh Pha Ngan to Don Sak pier, Surat Thani
- Lomprayah bus (included in the ferry ticket) from Don Sak pier to Surat Thani airport
- AirAsia flight (booked earlier) from Surat Thani to Chiang Mai
- Taxi (book on spot) from Chiang Mai airport to Kamala’s Boutique Guesthouse at Tha Phae
Kamala’s Boutique Guesthouse
We had already booked our stay at a beautiful boutique guesthouse just 100 m away from Tha Phae Gate – the best spot for celebrating Songkran, though it is celebrated well at other places around moats and canals of the Old City and also along the Ping river.
People usually play during the daytime and the scenario calms down a little during the evening.
It was not my first time in Chiang Mai, but I have never seen this city this way – the whole city turns into a water playground. Expect a lot of traffic on the Songkran day. In fact, it is very difficult for taxis to get inside the old city as people are busy playing everywhere across the streets.
We had arrived Chiang Mai airport in the evening and booked a taxi from the airport. The driver brought us to our guesthouse seamlessly – it was fun watching people playing with water from inside the taxi, but the fun would multiply if we join them, which we would the following day.
Chiang Mai Old City in the Evening
The old city of Chiang Mai has a rectangular moat and walls with eight gates, each facing a specific direction according to the eight compass points and each has its own significance. Tha Phae gate faces east and signifies prosperity. While many of the city wall fell to ruin, Tha Phae gate still stands tall and strong, being the site of many festivities and cultural activities today.
We headed to Taste from Heaven at Rambuttri road, very close to Tha Phae Gate, for dinner. It is one of my favorite vegan restaurants in Chiang Mai, and the owner also organizes cooking classes. The price is also economical; we ordered many dishes and it cost us around 500 ฿.
Crossing across Rambuttri road is Loi Kroh road, the street full of kinky bars, pubs, and massage parlors. At the end of Loi Kroh road, is located a vibrant market called Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is open every evening until midnight, popular for souvenirs and handicrafts.
A good and deep sleep was guaranteed after getting pampered by Thai massage. We both were looking forward to playing Songkran water festival the next day and we needed to rest nicely before we get ready to attack fellow strangers!
Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in 7 Days – Day 5
Songkran is the craziest festival of the country where you will not be staying dry for long. No one can save you from the wrath of getting drenched. It is better to be a part of it and play! It is played all week in Chiang Mai. But sadly we had only one day to play as we were supposed to head to Phitsanulok – the place I stay now – during the afternoon. It is advisable to stay at least 2-3 days in Chiang Mai to have the fullest fun in Songkran.
Highlights of the Day
- Songkran Water Festival
- Bus to Phitsanulok
Songkran Water Festival
The first sight from the balcony of our guesthouse was group of men, women, and children in floral printed and colorful clothes roaming the streets armed with water cannons, squirt guns, and buckets of water and splashing it to complete strangers. Many of them were piled on scooters or in the back of pick-up trucks and shooting water on others. We did not waste a single moment and headed to Tha Phae Gate.
We kept our mobile and few cash in waterproof necklace bags (highly recommended) and did not carry any other valuables. Waterguns were sold everywhere. We bought a gun from one of the several shops lined at the gate selling guns, buckets, and cannons. We were ready to take part in the water battle!
Tips for Songkran Festival
- The moment you step outside, you are an automatic target. So be patient and do not get pissed if strangers splash water on you. You should splash back at them – that is what the game is all about.
- Do not carry your valuables. If you do not have a waterproof phone or camera, please keep them inside waterproof necklace bags or any other waterproof bags. They are usually sold in plenty in the watergun shops.
- Avoid wearing your best clothes as you would be going to get drenched . You can wear Songkran special floral printed clothes to mix with the crowd.
- Do not swallow the water as many people use the moat water. Do not expect it to be very clean. You can always take a shower after you are done playing.
- Do not rent a bike – basically do not ride as it is a festival time. People splashing water at faces can be risky while riding. You should also not target on people’s faces.
- Book your accommodation weeks before your arrival as everything gets booked during this peak season of festival. Try to stay as close as possible to Tha Phae Gate if you are here for enjoying the festival.
- Make sure you have booked your transfer for getting in and out of the city well in advance. Most of the buses and trains would be booked, and flights would be overpriced at this festival time.
Go to Phitsanulok
I and Richie had to rush. Our bus to Phitsanulok was supposed to depart from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station at 2.30 PM. We were still busy playing until 1.30 PM. The bus tickets were booked earlier.
We rushed to the hotel and checked out. Popular red colored songthaews go to the bus station. We got one into one of them. We reached the bus station within half an hour. A plate of vegan pad thai was our quick lunch at the bus station.
The bus stopped at Uttaradit, one hour from Phitsanulok, for break. We had rice with mixed vegetables as early dinner. We reached home by around 8 PM.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Days 4-5 in Thailand – Chiang Mai.
- Koh Pha Ngan to Chiang Mai (ferry + flight): 4000
- Hotel in Chiang Mai for twin sharing (1 night): 750
- Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok: 350
- Getting around: 350
- Food: 500
- Miscellaneous: 450
Total expense (roughly): 6400 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in 7 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Ive always wanted to experience the Songkran Festival. Ill be checking back this post when I do next year!
Yes, sure! You can ask any questions if you have.
Funny that I read this now because just last night, my friends and I talked about going to Chiang Mai for the Songkran next year. And now voila, we now have a guide, thanks to your guide. It seems like everyone has gone to Thailand but me, and now I’m pretty convinced that I should go there and once I do, I will make sure to include Chiang Mai in the itinerary. And I hope to go there in time for Songkran, I just think it’d be super fun to play with water guns haha… We do have a similar event here in my country but only in one city.
Yes, Marjorie, you have to come here. Also, you can contact me, leave a mail or call me, for the Songkran dates and places to see and stay at. Any info, just reach out!
I’ve never heard of Songkran Celebration but it sounds like so much fun! I’d so love to go. My dad lived in Thailand for a year a long time ago. I will have to ask him if he has heard of this and participated.
Yes, he must have heard of it.
The Songkran Festival looks like so much fun and I imagine getting wet would be a refreshing break from the heat! I want to visit Chiang Mai anyway so I should definitely time my visit during Songkran when I do.
Songkran is just 2 months away, plan and visit Chiang Mai soon.
That was a lot of transferring to get from one place to another! Also, that fried veggies look super delicious! Is it the summer season in April when the Songkran Celebration happens? It looks a lot of fun!
Yes, when it is too hot, the Songkran happens.
wow! Songkran is Thailand’s most famous festival and the most amazing experience. Songkran is one of my bucket list things to do.
You must experience Songkran in Chiang Mai and nowhere else.
Oh nice! But how was the full moon party? It is something the one I wanted to visit this year, but no time with my work. Well doe preservng all the energy for Chang Mai! 🙂
Full moon party is crazy!
Oh cool, thanks for sharing that adventure. I haven’t been to Chiang Mai for quite some time, but perhaps I need to get my butt back to Chiang Mai for all this!
How was your experience in Chiang Mai before?
Oh this looks like so much fun! I can imagine the ‘community’ feel as random strangers splash you with water and you get them back in jest. I wonder what happens to all of the plastic guns afterwards though. Hopefully it doesn’t all end up in landfill.
I guess they recycle the plastic guns.
We arrived in Thailand on the last day of Songkran, unfortunately the festivities were over. I would love to go back with the kids and see it properly. I believe it is best experienced in Chiang Mai rather than the islands in the South?
Yes, if it is Songkran, then Chiang Mai is the best.
This looks like a very lively celebration! I would love the foot massage at the end of a long day exploring, it’s the best way to relax and I can imagine they do a very good job in Thailand!
Songkran celebration is so much fun!
Great post, this makes me miss Chiang Mai so much, its such a special place to us. I’ve always found getting around Thailand to be really easy and simple too even if you do have to change a few times! We’ve not done Songkran in Thailand but we’ve done Thingyan in Myanmar which is very similar, it was a great experience but different as there were no other tourists there! We would love to do it in Thailand one year.
Yes, do come soon!
I am not sure I am brave enough for SongKran lol I am sure I would be a slow moving target! The massages on the other hand, yes please. I usually have one every second day when I am there.
Oh, wow!
Aah, is this the festival where you splash with water? I’ve heard of it and think it’s totally funny. In any case, it looks like you really liked it.
I loved it.
Looks like you had a fun time at this festival. The water splashing would be a welcome in the heat. Does it really go on for a whole week?
It goes on for a week!
I have heard so much about Songkran celebration and here also in Dubai it is celebrated in some Thai restaurants. But it would be great to see in authentic way at Chiang Mai. The drive from One Love Dome to the pier by the Gulf of Thailand looks very beautiful. Playing with water guns is like celebrating Holi festival. And I agree this festival is celebrated in India too with many other forms.
Wow it is also celebrated in Dubai, in Thai restaurants. That’s so cool.
I have heard of the Songkran festival and Chiang Mai, but learned a ton more about it from reading your post. Looks like one giant water fight and you best be prepared to do battle. Good reminder for us photographers to ensure our cameras are well protected too.
Glad to know that my blog turned out to be helpful.
Great post. I visited Chiang Mai a few years ago and I loved it. I definitely preferred it over Bangkok and felt it was too short a trip. Would love to return one day and witness this festival.
Chiang Mai any day, over Bangkok.
The Songkran Festival looks like so much fun and really worth the experience. Looks like it is great fun like festivals normally bring around. Haven’t been to Northern Thailand as yet but is very appealing. And I would love to visit Chiang Mai.
Songkran is during our Poila Boishakh, meaning just next week!