BANGKOK, THAILAND – Tourists in the capital struggled with extreme heat, crowded streets and sensory overload just days before Songkran, yet many still refused to miss Thailand’s New Year festival.
Bangkok before Songkran: Heat and crowds
In Bangkok, temperatures rose sharply in the run-up to the Songkran festival as the city prepared for increasing visitor numbers. Many travellers experienced the metropolis as both overwhelming and fascinating.
The city was known for dense traffic, packed markets and intense smells from street food stalls. In April, often the hottest month of the year, the heat particularly shaped daily life for locals and tourists.
Songkran: Tradition, New Year and “water fights”
Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, was celebrated from 13 to 15 April and was among the most important holidays in the country. It also fell in the hottest period of the year.
Originally marked by rituals of cleansing and renewal, Songkran had developed into a nationwide festival best known for large public water fights. The spectacle attracted travellers from around the world each year.
37 degrees in the city: How people shielded themselves from the sun
On Thursday afternoon, temperatures reached 37 degrees Celsius, only days before the official holiday period. Many residents withdrew into air-conditioned indoor spaces.
Those who stayed outside sought shade, protected themselves from the sun and frequently stopped at convenience stores to cool down. The conditions clearly influenced how people moved through the city.
Khao San Road as a magnet: Mood before the rush
Despite the oppressive heat, tourists continued to gather at hotspots such as Khao San Road in the Phra Nakhon district. The roughly 400-metre strip was regarded as a centre for budget travellers and Songkran celebrations.
Pedestrian traffic remained steady, but a significantly larger influx was expected as the holiday approached. The already high energy in the neighbourhood was therefore likely to increase further.
German tourist: “A culture shock I wanted”
The German tourist Aaron Marschall, spending two weeks in Thailand, described the country as a welcome culture shock and said the trip had met his expectations.
“A culture shock I wanted.”
said Aaron Marschall, tourist.
He also highlighted value for money as a key reason for his visit. He had heard of Songkran before travelling but was not fully aware of its cultural significance.
Nevertheless, he said he definitely wanted to experience the event himself and called it something that did not exist in the same way in Europe. For him, the festival formed part of what made the trip distinctive.
Irish regular visitor: Flight cancellation changed travel plans
The Irish traveller Aaron Kerney, visiting Thailand for the third time, reported that his plans had changed after a friend could not join him because of a cancelled flight. According to his account, the cancellation was linked to tensions in the Middle East.
He said he had not hesitated to continue with the trip and called Thailand his favourite place. It was also the first time he experienced Songkran in person, as his journey happened to fall in April.
Uncertainty over flights and prices: Costs as a decisive factor
Travel disruptions and rising costs remained an issue for many visitors, especially as instability in the Middle East could affect flight routes and fares. Some travellers reported last-minute warnings and cancelled flights among friends.
Traveller Roan Younger said he had been advised not to travel before departure but decided to go after doing his own research.
“I was advised not to go before departure, but after my own research I decided to make the trip.”
said Roan Younger, traveller.
He knew about Songkran but did not want to stay on for the festival because of high travel costs. For him, expenses were the key factor in planning his stay.
Finnish travellers seek alternatives: Beach instead of festival
The Finnish visitors Paula Utriainen and Melanie Nieme planned to travel south during Songkran, to places such as Koh Tao or Krabi. They said they did not know much about the festival apart from the water fights.
At the same time, they expressed concern that their return journey could be affected and said they had not yet booked a flight home because of high prices.
“We are worried the return journey could be affected and have not booked a flight home yet because of the high prices.”
said Paula Utriainen, traveller.
They were hoping for cheaper options and feared that a worsening of the situation could make travel more difficult or more expensive. Their plans illustrated how cost and uncertainty shaped decisions around visiting Thailand during the peak holiday period.