Songkran v Siem Reapu
13.–15. april. Tajska praznuje Songkran. Kambodža praznuje Kmersko novo leto. Siem Reap oboje — z Angkor Watom v ozadju.
If you're planning to celebrate Songkran in Southeast Asia, most people default to Chiang Mai or Bangkok. But Siem Reap offers something those cities can't: the world's most spectacular water festival backdrop — Angkor Wat — combined with the same ancient water-splashing tradition, on exactly the same dates.
Why Siem Reap and Songkran Share the Same Week
The mainland Southeast Asian new year celebration shares a common root: Songkran in Thailand, Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) in Cambodia, Thingyan in Myanmar, Pi Mai in Laos — all fall in the same window, April 13–16. This is no coincidence. It reflects the shared Theravada Buddhist calendar and the traditional solar new year across the region, all celebrated with water as a symbol of cleansing and renewal.
What this means practically: when Thailand is celebrating Songkran, Siem Reap is celebrating with an identical water-splashing tradition. The venues are different. The temples are incomparably better.
Water Splashing in Siem Reap
The main water-splashing zones:
- Pub Street and surrounding lanes — the most intense zone, arm yourself early
- Sivatha Boulevard — longer stretches of action, easier to move through
- Old Market (Phsar Chas) area — particularly lively from 11 AM to 5 PM on April 13
Water fights run from approximately 10 AM until early evening on April 13 (New Year's Day). April 14 is more subdued. By April 15, most of the water action has wound down.
Logistics: buy a water gun from market stalls ($1–3), wear clothes you don't care about, put your phone in a waterproof bag. Shoes will be soaked. This is a given.
Getting to Siem Reap from Thailand
| Route | Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Siem Reap | Flight (BKK/DMK → REP) | $60–150 return | 1 hour |
| Bangkok → Poipet → Siem Reap | Bus + border crossing | $20–25 total | ~10 hours |
| Chiang Mai → Siem Reap | Flight via Bangkok | $100–200 return | ~4 hrs + connection |
| Phuket/Koh Samui → Siem Reap | Flight via Bangkok | $150–250 | +1 connection |
Bangkok flight note: Bangkok Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, and AirAsia all fly Bangkok → Siem Reap. Book return transport before you leave — the Poipet land border gets congested during Thai holidays.
Chiang Mai note: No direct flights currently. Route through Bangkok is the standard option.
Angkor Wat at Songkran / Khmer New Year
April 13 at Angkor Wat has a different character than any other day of the year. Monks conduct Buddhist ceremonies from before dawn. Cambodian families make offerings and pray for the new year. The spiritual dimension of Angkor — usually obscured by tourist groups — becomes fully visible.
Recommended: Arrive at Angkor Wat by 5:00 AM on April 13 for the ceremony. Be done by 9 AM before the heat peaks at 38–40°C. Afternoon and evening: water splashing in town, villa pool.
- Foreigners: $37 for a 1-day pass (ticket center at park entrance)
- Cambodian nationals: Free with original national identity card
Booking Accommodation: The April Reality
April 13–16 is the single most-booked period of the year in Siem Reap. Hotels, guesthouses, and villas fill 4–6 weeks ahead. Prices run 2–3× normal rates across all accommodation types.
A private villa gives you one booking for your entire group — no scrambling for multiple hotel rooms, no risk of unavailability. April is also Cambodia's hottest month (38–40°C). A private pool during the afternoon heat is the only sensible place to be between 11 AM and 4 PM.
Book by early March for Songkran/Khmer New Year week. By April 1, you're competing for remaining stock at peak prices.
3-Night Songkran Itinerary
April 12 (arrive):
- Arrive Siem Reap, check in
- Dinner at Old Market, early night
April 13 (New Year's Day):
- 5 AM: Angkor Wat sunrise ceremony
- 7–9 AM: Angkor Wat grounds before heat peaks
- 11 AM–6 PM: Water splashing — Pub Street / Old Market area
- Evening: BBQ at villa, pool
April 14:
- Morning: Angkor Thom and Bayon (calmer than April 13)
- Afternoon: pool at villa, rest
- Evening: dinner, relaxed pace
April 15:
- Morning: Ta Prohm or Preah Khan (optional)
- Afternoon: Kampong Phluk floating village if desired ($15–20/person)
- Depart April 16
Cost for a Group of 10
| Item | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Return flight (Bangkok) | $80–150 |
| Villa (3 nights, $300/night ÷ 10) | $90 |
| Food (3 days) | $40 |
| Angkor Wat (foreigners, 1-day) | $37 |
| Transport, water gun, local | $20 |
| Total | ~$267–337/person |
→ Read: Siem Reap for Khmer New Year
→ Read: Best Time to Visit Angkor Wat
| Route | Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Siem Reap | Flight (BKK/DMK → REP) | $60–150 return | 1 hour |
| Bangkok → Poipet → Siem Reap | Bus + border crossing | $20–25 total | ~10 hours |
| Chiang Mai → Siem Reap | Flight via Bangkok | $100–200 return | ~4 hrs + connection |
Ostanite v vili za Songkran
8 spalnic, zasebni bazen, 10 minut od Pub Streeta. Rezervirajte do začetka marca.
Ogled vile