In Thailand, Songkran is celebrated from 13 to 15 April as a national public holiday, with festivities often extending for up to a week in various regions. This vibrant festival is one of Thailand’s most iconic events, attracting numerous foreign tourists who revel in the water dousing and playful water-gun battles during the peak of the tropical hot season.

During Songkran, families come together to honour their elders, ancestors, and sacred Buddha images. A central theme of the celebration is the pouring of water, symbolising purification, respect, and blessings for the year ahead. Other activities include bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, games, music and feasting. In 2023, UNESCO recognised Thailand’s Songkran by listing it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Myanmar, the New Year celebration is called “Thingyan” usually takes place from 13 to 17 April. It’s also a public holiday and spans four to five days. Thingyan blends fun and reflection. People pour water over Buddha images and engage in traditional dances. Visiting temples, making merit, and reuniting with family are key elements. Water plays a central role—cleansing the body and spirit to start the new year with a fresh mind and heart.

In Laos, the New Year is known as “Pi Mai” (meaning "new year") and typically falls between 14 and 16 April. The celebrations closely resemble the traditions of Northern Thailand.

The festival is divided into three days:

• Sangkhan Luang (Day 1): Houses are cleaned to drive away negativity and welcome good fortune.
• Nao Day (Day 2): Families gather for Baisri blessing ceremonies, showing respect to elders.
• Sangkhan Khao (Day 3): The official New Year day, marked with water pouring over Buddha images, blessing rituals, and a colourful Nang Sangkhan parade symbolising the spirit of the new year.

Cambodia celebrates its New Year festival, “Choul Chnam Thmey,” around 13 and 14 April with a mix of spiritual and festive traditions. Before the festival begins, families prepare by cleaning homes, cooking special meals, and decorating with flowers and fragrant items. The celebration lasts three days:

• Maha Songkran (Day 1): People offer food to monks in the morning. In the evening, families build sand pagodas and prepare water for rituals.
• Virak Vanabat (Day 2): Relatives come together, exchange gifts, and strengthen family bonds.
• Virak Loeng Sak (Day 3): Monks are invited to chant blessings, and scented water is poured over Buddha statues and elders for purification. On the third day, people play traditional games, including hand-scarf throwing, nut kicking, and tug of war. They also enjoy trot dancing, a popular Khmer folk dance performed during the Khmer New Year to ward off bad luck and attract good fortune.