Where is the cheapest place to buy a water gun for the Songkran festival in Bangkok?

Buying it on Khaosan Road is the cheapest. The author bought one in advance for 600 baht, but the exact same water gun was sold for 300 baht on Khaosan Road.

What is the weather like at night during the Songkran festival in Bangkok, Thailand in April?

It is hot enough to sweat during the day, but it can feel very cold at night during the festival due to being splashed with ice water. If you plan to walk around getting wet at night, you should be careful of the change in perceived temperature.

How should I prepare for refilling my water gun during the Songkran festival?

It is convenient to carry coins separately from your wallet inside a waterproof pouch so they are easy to access when refilling water. Another way to enjoy the festival is to grab a seat at a restaurant, refill your water there, and team up with the restaurant staff.

Songkran Bangkok Weather 2026: Survival Guide & Tips

Songkran Festival

The Songkran Festival is easily one of the most famous water festivals in the world. To be honest, I didn't know much about it until right before the pandemic, but I recently made a spontaneous trip to Bangkok to experience it firsthand.

Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year. Since April is the absolute hottest month of the year in Thailand, splashing water started as a way to wash away bad luck and bless one another. Over time, it naturally evolved into the massive, high-energy global festival we know today.

While many locals head back to their home provinces to spend quiet time with family, the city streets turn into an absolute playground for party-lovers and travelers.

The blazing Bangkok sun. It might look deceivingly mild in photos, but trust me, the UV rays here are incredibly intense.

Okay, this shot makes it look as scorching as it actually feels!

Bangkok is incredibly developed with stunning high-rises, giving it a very different vibe compared to other Southeast Asian cities.

But when you look at scenes like this, you get that authentic, charming Southeast Asian street vibe.

The Bangkok weather during the Songkran Festival is, without a doubt, scorching hot. But honestly, that’s exactly what makes the festival so much fun.

Why? Because you will be constantly drenched!

While the daytime heat makes the water fights incredibly refreshing, the real plot twist happens at night.

Nights during Songkran can get surprisingly cold.

Normally, the water is lukewarm or warm from the daytime heat, which is fine. But there are always people who ambush you with buckets of pure ice water.

Getting hit with ice water during the day is a shocking, hilarious surprise. But at night? It’s downright freezing! (And maybe a tiny bit infuriating, haha).

All in all, April weather in Bangkok is hot enough—often soaring well above 95°F—to make this massive water fight the ultimate way to cool down.

If you're someone who loves exploring a city on foot, forget about walking long distances during the day. You will be dripping in sweat within minutes (unless you get lucky with a cloudy day).

And a quick word of warning: stepping into shopping malls to escape the heat can be risky. The air conditioning is blasted so high that the sudden temperature drop can easily make you catch a cold. Be careful managing these extreme temperature swings so you don't end up sick on your vacation!

If you are visiting Bangkok during Songkran, prepare to get wet the second you step outside. Pack your clothes accordingly!

Water guns and goggles for sale on Bangkok streets

You don't need to pack goggles, water guns, or waterproof phone pouches from home—street vendors sell them on literally every corner.

Pro tip: Khao San Road is by far the cheapest place to buy your gear. I made the mistake of buying my water gun beforehand for about $17 (600 Baht), only to find the exact same model selling for just $9 (300 Baht) once I got to Khao San Road! Learn from my mistake and buy yours there.

While goggles bought back home might fit your face a bit more comfortably, cheap local ones do the trick if you just want to join in on the casual fun. However, if you're serious about winning the ultimate water war, good eye protection is a must.

Also, make sure to keep some loose coins in an easily accessible pocket rather than burying them deep inside your waterproof phone pouch. You'll need quick cash to pay for water refills along the street!

Alternatively, you can duck into a local restaurant, grab a table, and refill your water gun there. It's a fantastic way to instantly team up with the other diners and defend your spot together—which is half the fun!

If you visit Bangkok outside of the Songkran period, you won't have to worry about shivering in wet clothes at night. Just pack light, breathable clothes and dress according to your usual heat tolerance.

But if you can align your travel dates with the festival, I highly recommend experiencing this incredible celebration at least once. The energy is unmatched!

This was a quick guide to Bangkok's April weather and Songkran vibes. I'll be sharing a much more detailed breakdown as we get closer to Songkran 2027!