Quick Comparison
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Urban megacity, EDM festivals, LGBTQ+ scene | Old-city charm, traditional, backpacker-friendly |
| Intensity | Extreme | Very high |
| Main dates | Apr 10–15 | Apr 13–15 |
| Music festivals | S2O, Siam Songkran, GCircuit | Smaller local events |
| LGBTQ+ scene | Massive (Silom, GCircuit) | Smaller but welcoming |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Getting around | BTS/MRT | Songthaews, walking |
| Moat battle | No | Yes — iconic! |
Choose Bangkok If...
- You want world-class music festivals (S2O, Siam Songkran)
- You want the LGBTQ+ scene (Silom, GCircuit)
- You prefer urban nightlife that goes until sunrise
- You want variety — multiple zones with different vibes
- You're coming with a group that wants options
Bangkok's Songkran is bigger, louder, and more diverse. You can do temples in the morning, a street water fight in the afternoon, and a Martin Garrix set at night.
Choose Chiang Mai If...
- You want a more traditional Songkran experience
- You want to see the moat battle (iconic — the old city moat becomes a water war zone)
- You prefer a smaller, walkable city
- You're on a tighter budget
- You want cooler weather (still hot, but less brutal than Bangkok)
Chiang Mai's old city is completely taken over during Songkran. The entire moat area becomes a continuous water fight, and there's a beautiful parade along Tha Pae Road.
Can You Do Both?
Yes! Many travelers do Bangkok (Apr 11–14) then fly to Chiang Mai (Apr 14–15) or vice versa. Flights between the two are about 1 hour and ฿1,500–3,000 if booked early.
Another popular route: Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Pattaya (Wan Lai Festival, Apr 15–19).
What About Pattaya?
Pattaya extends Songkran with Wan Lai Festival (April 15–19). It's a beach-city celebration centered on Beach Road and Walking Street. Very LGBTQ+-friendly, more relaxed than Bangkok, and perfect if you want to add beach time.
When does Songkran start in Pattaya? The main Pattaya celebration begins April 15 and runs through April 19, making it the longest Songkran celebration in Thailand.