It's NOT New Year!

It's NOT New Year!

At least not in Thailand. Thai New Year, or Songkran, is celebrated on April 13th and is rooted in the traditional Thai lunar calendar; Songkran is a time for vibrant water fights and heartfelt traditions. Though Thailand officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in the 19th century, the lunar calendar still holds cultural and religious importance. So, yes, Thais celebrate New Year twice—once with the exhilarating chaos of Songkran and again on December 31st with the rest of the world. But there's more: Throw in the Chinese New Year in February, and you have three New Year celebrations. Three times the joy, three times the fun!

Celebrating New Year tree times is also the perfect excuse for Sanuk - having fun and a good time.

Fun Isn’t Just Fun—It’s a Way of Life!

Why celebrate New Year three times? It's simple - to keep the fun going.

In a country where Sanuk is a way of life, it’s no wonder New Year gets celebrated three times. Honestly, if they could, Thais would probably add a fourth—and as many other holidays as possible. We’re fortunate to have 15 public holidays each year—a vibrant mix of traditional Thai and Buddhist celebrations. Still, we’re not quite as lucky as the Nepalese, who enjoy over 30 public holidays annually! But here’s the thing: it’s not just about getting more time off work. Holidays in Thailand are about something much deeper: coming together, celebrating, and creating joyful moments that bring people closer.

If there’s an opportunity to have fun, you can bet Thais won’t let it slip by. 

It's More Than Just Having a Good Time