Where to go for Songkran

Dawn merit making and Buddha bathing at the Reclining Buddha temple before the water fights start.

The porcelain prang temple across the river, best at opening time in festival dress code.

Maha Songkran ground opposite the Grand Palace, for the Phra Phuttha Sihing bathing and parades.

Bangkok's biggest organised water fight, a closed road of stages and crowds by Sala Daeng BTS.

Main stage and meeting point of the moat circuit, where the Buddha Sihing procession starts.

Home of the Phra Buddha Sihing image, carried out on 13 April for the city to bathe.

The great ruined chedi in the old city, a calm temple stop between moat water fights.

Teak viharn temple by Chedi Luang, known for sand pagodas and a quieter Songkran morning.

The Buddha head in the banyan roots, the old capital's defining image, moving at Songkran pace.

Three great chedis of the royal palace temple, the grandest ruins on the island city.

Working temple with a huge bronze Buddha, where Ayutthaya does its Songkran merit making.

Khmer style prangs on the riverbank, the sunset temple across the water from the island.

The first capital's ruins by bicycle, home of the retro Songkran programme and sand pagodas.

The huge seated Phra Achana Buddha speaking through a narrow mondop opening.

The quieter sister park an hour north, linked to the Song Nam Oi Tan ceremonies.

Sangkhalok ceramics and Sukhothai script history, the air conditioned midday hour.

Patong's nightlife strip turned all day water arena, the loudest Songkran ground on the island.

The beach behind Bangla Road, where the water fights spill onto the sand all afternoon.

Sino Portuguese streets with parades, food stalls and gentler splashing than Patong.

Wat Chalong, the island's main temple, for morning merit making away from the party zones.

Beach Road is the Wan Lai arena on 19 April, closed to traffic from noon to midnight.

The vast carved wooden temple at Naklua, the dry cultural morning before the water starts.

The Big Buddha on Pratumnak Hill, Pattaya's merit making stop with a bay view.

The adult nightlife strip at the south end of Beach Road, loudest after dark in festival week.

Si Chan Road closed for Isan's biggest water party, with the famous human wave each night.

Nine storey stupa temple by Kaen Nakhon lake, the city's merit making landmark.

The big southern lake for a morning walk and festival food stalls away from the road party.

Open air night market for Isan food, crafts and a dry seat after Khao Niao Road.

The open air mall hosting the Udon Songkran Festival nights of music and water play.

Lake park west of the centre, the local daytime splashing and picnic ground.

Central temple for morning alms and Buddha bathing before the evening festival.

UNESCO listed Bronze Age site an hour east, the dry day trip in festival week.

Temple with a huge reclining Buddha, Hat Yai's main Songkran merit making stop.

The central market for Hat Yai fried chicken runs, dim sum breakfasts and dried goods.

Downtown spine of Midnight Songkran, with stages and water fights running late.

Hill park north of the centre with the cable car, the dry viewpoint over festival city.

Laos's golden national stupa, a Pi Mai merit making visit in festival dress.

Vientiane's oldest temple, thousands of Buddha niches, at its busiest and best at Pi Mai.

City pillar temple where Pi Mai sand stupas and blessings centre on the founder shrine.

Mekong riverfront park for evening splashing, food stalls and sunset over the river.