How to plan your Songkran holiday leaves and get more days off this April 2024

Looking for a long break from work? Let us help you plan your Songkran holiday leaves so you get the most out of it.

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How to plan your Songkran holiday leaves this April 2024

Every year, Songkran is celebrated on 13-15 April to mark the beginning of the Thai New Year. Traditionally, water is used to symbolise purification; washing away our bad luck and sins, along with paying respects to our ancestors. Some people use the festival as a sign to start anew, making merit at temples and family gatherings.

These days, while you can still wake up early and make merit, many look forward to the huge water fights happening throughout the kingdom. And by huge, we mean huge. National holidays are announced, streets are closed for parties, and tourists fly in to participate. It’s an all-out water festival people plan their whole year around.

Those living in Thailand are normally entitled to national holidays during the Songkran period, with public holidays spanning 13-15 April. It is commonly known as the longest string of public holidays in a row.

In 2024, there’s also official confirmation that the cabinet has declared one more day (12 April) to be a special holiday. This means a five-day weekend — silent mode on your emails until you’re back and ready.

Planning leaves

Every year, office workers pay close attention to the announcement of the Songkran public holidays, as those who plan strategically, can get a long string of days off without having to take official leave.

Thereby, in order to get the most out of your Songkran holiday in April 2024, plan your leaves around 12-15 April. Using only three days of vacation leave on 17-19 April ensures a 10-day holiday. If you have more days available, 8 April is also a public holiday as substitution for Chakri Memorial Day. So, using 6 vacation leaves from 9 April onwards will get you a 16-day holiday. That’s more than half a month. Look forward to your co-worker making jokes about missing you when you get back.

Since it’s the festival of water, it is also worth looking at other provinces within Thailand for vacation. They celebrate Songkran day throughout the country, anyway. If you’re thinking of partying throughout the long holiday, “Wan Lai” is a Songkran celebration after actual Songkran, perfect for those who simply want to party more. Pattaya has a big annual Wan Lai Festival that doesn’t end until 19 April. Check the dates for every province carefully.