With Songkran coming up next week, Southeast Asian online travel platform Traveloka presents its insights on the most popular Thai destinations for the holiday.
Based on search and booking data, Bangkok remains the most searched destination, reaffirming its place as the heart of Songkran celebrations.
However, Traveloka analysts also noted a surging wave of interest in emergent destinations like Chumphon, Nakhon Phanom, and Loei.
This development reflects a growing shift in travel behaviour as Thai travelers seek out more diverse and meaningful experiences during the holiday.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also pointed out that the upcoming holiday could generate up to 26.5 billion baht in tourism revenues from 476,000 international tourists and 4.4 million domestic trips.
This includes 7.3 billion baht from international tourists and 19.2 billion baht from domestic travelers, reflecting year-on-year growth of seven percent and nine percent respectively.
Traveloka president Caesar Indra declared: “Thai travelers today are more intentional about how they experience Songkran, combining tradition with flexible getaways and curated experiences. As demand for more flexible and experience-led travel grows, Traveloka is committed to making travel seamless, from personalised recommendations to offering highly localized and complete solutions to providing the best post-booking support to ensure that our customers can have a worry-free travel experience. Our goal is to ensure that travelers can make the most of their holiday, whether for tradition, leisure, or discovery.”
Where do people want to go for Songkran?
As travel picks up, five destinations have emerged as the top picks for Thai travelers, based on Traveloka’s data.
These locations not only represent diverse experiences from urban parties to coastal getaways but also reflect how Thai travelers are curating their holidays with a mix of tradition and leisure.
Traveloka’s 2025 top five for Songkran is as follows:
- Bangkok offers the ultimate Songkran celebration, combining traditional cultural events with epic water festivals in hotspots like Silom, Siam Square, and Khaosan Road. This year, the capital will host the Siam Songkran Music Festival from April 11–14, and a grand Water Festival across 12 locations from April 12–15. Under the theme ‘Great Songkran, Great Fun,’ visitors can enjoy a grand water procession featuring Buddha statues from five royal temples, as well as various cultural activities.
- Chiang Mai provides visitors with an opportunity to experience its unique Lanna culture alongside lively Songkran festivities. The city will host Water War Chiang Mai 2025 on April 13 at Lan Muan Jai, Central Chiang Mai Airport. In addition, Chiang Mai will feature multiple concerts showcasing major Thai musical artists and other cultural activities during the festival.
- Chonburi is famous for its Wan Lai Festival, which runs from April 6–20. This event extends the Songkran celebrations beyond the traditional dates, featuring grand water festivals, traditional performances, and parades, making it a must-visit for those looking to extend their Songkran experience.
- Phuket offers festive beach vibes, with daytime water festivals on Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches, and all-night parties on Bangla Road. For a more spiritual celebration, visitors can join merit-making rituals at Wat Mongkol Nimit in Old Phuket Town.
- Hatyai Songkran festivities are centered around Central Festival Hatyai and the Lee Gardens Plaza, where the water battles evolve into a vibrant party scene complete with water festivals, parades and music.
Shifting attentions
Alongside these well-known locations, Traveloka’s insights reveal a shift in Thai travelers’ preferences, with a growing interest in lesser-known destinations and diverse travel experiences, as Thai travelers turn their attention to lesser-known escapes.
Traveloka’s data shows a spike in searches for Chumphon, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Loei, and Nan.
These emerging destinations are attracting travelers seeking more serene, authentic Songkran experiences that are often centered around nature, culture, and local community traditions.
This trend extends to accommodation choices during the Songkran holiday, with growing interest across various types from hotels and resorts that offer elevated getaways, to apartments ideal for extended stays, and hostels that continue to attract budget-conscious explorers.
