Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort - Luxury hotel - Songkran Phuket

In Thailand, Songkran is the country’s most famous festival. An important and ancient event on the Buddhist calendar, Thailand’s infamous water festival lasts for 3 days and marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’, and the occasion is rich in symbolic traditions. The mornings usually begin with merit-making, often by visiting a local temple. Also known as the Water Festival, Songkran entails pouring water on Buddha statues and senior monks, as well as the young and elderly, in a traditional ritual. This represents good luck, purification and the washing away of one’s sins.

On the first day of Songkran families come together for Buddhist ceremonies. The second day is set aside for a visit to a temple to cleanse Buddha statues and pray. And all 3 days are devoted to parties, holiday and all-out fun.

From April 13th through April 15th, Songkran in Phuket will be alive with excitement and merrymaking. At timeless Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort we invite you to join us for these upcoming Thai New Year celebrations, come explore the joie de vivre that sets our free-spirited beachfront resort apart while enjoying Thai tradition, culture and sanuk at one of Thailand’s most important events of the year. It’s Songkran  Phuket!

In Phuket Songkran will be starting early on the morning of April 13th, with the Phuket Water Festival witnessing water ceremonies in many forms throughout the day. Initially, you are only supposed to sprinkle your family with a little bit of water, signifying good luck. It’s also traditional to sprinkle a statue of Buddha very respectfully and say a little prayer for the New Year. Although this gentle tradition is still widely practiced all over Thailand, the festival has evolved somewhat and you’ll find that everywhere turns into an all-out water fight. For locals, Songkran is a time to be with family and visit temples to make merit – and then have some refreshing fun during the hot season in the water fights as well. For tourists, the holiday is a huge water party in the streets of Thailand’s towns and villages from Chiang Mai to Hat Yai. In Bangkok the water will be flying, as well, but cultural activities, music performances and folk market fun add to the mix.

In Phuket Town, Songkran will get under way with traditional water pouring ceremonies around 10 am, but by afternoon it will have turned into water dogfights in Patong, Kata and Karon, ending in a hectic, full-scale wet war zone on Bangla Road that will be wet and wild until late into the night. Other highlights for Songkran in Phuket will include a procession of the Phra Buddha Sihing image around Patong Beach, a floral parade, a little Miss Songkran beauty pageant, art and cultural exhibitions, and plenty of water splashing all along Patong Beach.

Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort will be engaged in all of Songkran’s cultural traditions, ancient and modern, and for guests who want to join in on the wet-n-wild merrymaking taking place all over the island, our helpful concierge can arrange for transport for you and your water guns to Ground Zero Party Centrals, like Phuket Town just 18 minutes away, Kata Beach – 38 minutes, Karon Beach – 35 minutes, and Patong Beach at 23 km. or 42 minutes from the hotel.

“The Pearl of Andaman” is the largest island in Thailand and abounds with pristine beaches, warm aquamarine waters, lush forested mountains, dazzling nightlife and picturesque temples. The most ideal time of the year to visit, however, is during the Songkran Phuket festivities when fun-loving Thais celebrate Thai New Year with buckets full of “sanuk”.

Phuket Songkran will be showcasing a variety of events, including exhibits that feature local crafts and clothing. The greatest event of this Phuket Water Festival, though, is the friendly water fights taking place all over the island where people throw water on each other to clean their slate of bad luck from the previous year and start of the New Year with cool, refreshing good luck.

Great tours, tremendous shopping and Thailand’s famously friendly people all combine to make Phuket an exciting place to stay for Songkran 2021, and Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort ensures that your Thai New Year holiday is experienced with the luxury and distinctive savoir-faire that defines Sofitel’s commitment to comfort. Songkran Phuket is guaranteed to be a spectacular and fun-filled celebration this April 13th – 15th. Help us bring in the New Year, because our world is your playground.