Songkran 2027 Dates: 13 to 15 April, Alcohol and Water Rules

Songkran 2027 is Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April, three holidays for banks. The annual holiday notice sets Songkran at 13 to 15 April, 3 days. Alcohol sells only 11:00 to 24:00, and drink-driving carries up to one year in prison or a fine of THB 5,000 to 20,000.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Songkran 2027 falls on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 April. Songkran is a three-day annual holiday, 13 to 15 April. The rules that matter on those days are the daily alcohol window, the water-play etiquette and the drink-driving law.

Songkran 2027 dates and what closes

The Bank of Thailand announced the 2027 holiday list on 17 August 2026. It gives three Songkran Festival days, Tuesday 13 April, Wednesday 14 April and Thursday 15 April.

Chakri Memorial Day on 6 April falls a week before Songkran. Songkran in 2027 lands on Tuesday to Thursday, so no weekend substitution day appears in the list.

The legal base is the Prime Minister’s Office holiday notice: Songkran is 13 to 15 April, 3 days. Songkran in Thailand was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 6 December 2023.

For comparison, Songkran 2026 was celebrated nationwide between 11 and 15 April.

Alcohol at Songkran: the window that still applies

Nobody may sell alcohol outside 11:00 to 24:00. That window is in the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee notice of 2026 and applies on Songkran days too.

Selling in breach of the banned places or hours carries up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to THB 10,000, or both. The five banned days are different: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, and the first and last days of Buddhist Lent.

None of them is in April. In 2027 the next one is Visakha Bucha on Thursday 20 May. See the full list in the alcohol ban days guide and the sale hours guide.

Water-throwing rules

Bangkok asks the public to refrain from several things at Songkran. The list from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is:

• Drink-driving.
• Using high-pressure water guns.
• Smearing powder on other people.
• Wearing inappropriate clothing and turning up the speakers loud.

That list is the BMA’s guidance of April 2024, and it is the latest official Bangkok list found. Check the BMA announcement closer to the date.

Flying with a water gun

Airports of Thailand recommends toy water guns go in checked baggage for safety and fast inspection, and any object that looks like a gun is prohibited on board. Scented water, nam ob thai, can go in carry-on in bottles not over 100 ml. Power banks and spare batteries go in carry-on only, and are forbidden in checked baggage.

Songkran road safety: the seven dangerous days

Thailand tracks road deaths over a seven-day campaign around Songkran. The period of 10 to 16 April 2026 recorded 1,242 accidents, 1,200 injuries and 242 deaths. Speeding was the leading cause at 40.65%, followed by cutting in closely at 25.20%. Motorcycles were the most common vehicle involved, at 64.55%.

If you ride a scooter during the holiday, expect the busiest roads and the highest risk of the year. Wear a helmet and avoid riding after drinking.

Drink-driving penalties under the Land Traffic Act

Driving in breach of section 43(2), the drunk-driving ban, carries up to one year in prison or a fine of THB 5,000 to 20,000, or both. The court also suspends the licence for at least six months or revokes it.

มาตรา ๑๖๐ ตรี ผู้ใดฝ่าฝืนมาตรา ๔๓ (๒) ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินหนึ่งปีหรือปรับตั้งแต่ห้าพันบาทถึงสองหมื่นบาท หรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ และให้ศาลสั่งพักใช้ใบอนุญาตขับขี่ของผู้นั้นมีกำหนดไม่น้อยกว่าหกเดือน หรือเพิกถอนใบอนุญาตขับขี่

“Whoever breaches section 43(2) is liable to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht, or both, and the court shall suspend the driver licence for not less than six months, or revoke it.”

Land Traffic Act, section 160 ter

In the death case the court also revokes the licence.

Before you go: Songkran 2027 checklist

• Book flights and trains early, because 13 to 15 April are holidays for banks.
• Buy alcohol before 24:00, since the sale window ends then.
• Pack toy water guns in checked baggage, and leave power banks in your carry-on.
• Keep nam ob thai in bottles of 100 ml or less if it goes in carry-on.
• Skip high-pressure water guns and powder in Bangkok.
• Never drive after drinking: the penalty starts at up to one year in prison.

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Not confirmed: The Cabinet often adds a compensation day around Songkran, and no decision for next year was found yet. Check the Cabinet notice before you book. The road-safety campaign dates for next year are also not announced.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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