Chiang Mai

For a few days everyone in Bangkok who is not from Isaan will be right here. Events throughout the city from Apr 11-15 include the Phra Buddha Sihing Procession, rod nam dum hua bathing rituals, the release of birds and fish, and a Beauty Queen Procession. There are also sand-stupa building contests, Lanna Thai games and cultural performances, in addition to the inevitable water splashing. But the real highlight is to get smashed with celebrities at the Kad Suan Kaew.

Ayutthaya

If you’re feeling all cultural or want to celebrate the New Year with your parents, head to one of the heritage city’s nine sacred temples for merit-making rituals held on Apr 13. See the bathing of Buddha images and watch the Grand Songkran Procession. Of course, there will be fish and bird releases, sand-stupas, and beauty queens. Dress traditional for this softcore Songkran.

Ratchaburi

On top of the customary merit-making rituals, there’s a floral procession that culminates in temple offerings at Wat Ban Singh. From Apr 15-17, enjoy folk games and sports, Thai boxing, traditional music and pad thai cooked in a giant wok. Probably not the most delicious food to start the year, but it’s free. There’s also the Miss Lao Wiang Songkran Parade.

Samut Prakarn

This is the perfect spot to celebrate Songkran for those of you who took a holiday abroad and missed all the fun. Held Apr 20-22 in Phra Pradaeng, the big event here is the Raman Flag Ceremony for which each village makes its own flag. You can also see traditional Raman games such as saba, dancing and boat races.

Chonburi

A big sand-stupa building contest is held on the beach at Bang Saen as a part of Wan Lai, a celebration of the people of the sea. Expect the usual monster traffic jam of pick-ups loaded up with ice-water on the strip in front of the beach. There’s also the Kong Kao religious ritual, and cockfighting. For more white faces (and not because of din sor pong) head to Pattaya for some hardcore water fights (Apr 18-19). Finally, at Si Maharaja, there’s a sound and light show at Koh Loi Park Apr 19-21.

Khon Kaen

Get an early start on Songkran at the famous Thanon Khao Neow (an out-of-town alternative to Khao San with the added benefit of a "cultural zone"), with floral floats, a beauty pageant, traditional music and dance, and an Isaan food contest, Apr 8-15. 

Nakhon Phanom

Lustral water will be sprinkled over a number of significant religious sites, including the 2,000-year-old Phra That Phanom Stupa, the Northeast’s most ancient and sacred monument, where the annual sacred string-tying ceremony will take place, Apr 13-15.

Hat Yai

For a Songkran under the stars, go South. It is celebrated at midnight here, with water-splashing, folk games and performances by Ponglang Sa-on and traditional theater groups. Hat Yai also holds an "international" Miss Songkran beauty contest, Apr 12-15.

Nakhon Si Thammarat

After bathing rituals and votive offerings, Nakhon Si Thammarat celebrates with a Nang Kradan Procession, demonstrations of the "swing ceremony" to welcome Phra Isuan, and a mini sound and light show, Apr 11-15.

Phuket

New Year’s festivities are held on Patong Beach, on Apr 13, with lots of farangs throwing water at each other and the Little Miss Songkran Beauty Pageant. For less tourists, head to Phuket Town, where Sapan Hin is usually completely drenched on Apr 13-15. For something more laid-back, hit the beaches where monks bless elders and turtles are set free.

Nong Khai

The Thai-Lao Grand Songkran Festival is held here, Apr 13-15. Events include the bai sri soo kwan good luck ritual at Wat Pho Chai, boat races and other games along the riverbank, and the Luang Pho Sai Buddha Procession. You can also enjoy local Thai-Lao cuisine and hop across the Thai-Lao Friendship bridge to check out how the Lao handle the new year (see below).

Beyond Thailand

You think Thais are crazy about Pi Mai? Cross into Laos, either to Vientiane or to Luang Prabang, for celebrations of intensity and length that often surpass our own (you could get wet as early as Apr 1). One highlight is on the 13th, when Buddha images are taken out of the temples to be cleansed with scented water by devotees. Cambodia and Myanmar hold their own versions of the holiday, as well, each in their own style.