# Driving in Phuket During Songkran Page URL: https://kolesio.com/en/guide/songkran-driving-phuket/ You can drive in Phuket during Songkran if you plan trips for the morning, keep the windows closed and expect water on the road, water on the windscreen and crowds right at the kerb. In Patong and the Old Town some streets close to cars for the celebrations, so a route that works on an ordinary day may not be there in the afternoon. **A week from 5 145 ฿ total** — economy car 735 ฿/day · crossover from 9 555 ฿ · refundable deposit from 5 000 ฿ · live search, 7 days from 2 November, pick-up in Patong. [Ask on WhatsApp: Driving in Phuket During Songkran](https://kolesio.com/go/wa/?p=%2Fen%2Fguide%2Fsongkran-driving-phuket%2F) ## In short - Morning — the calm time for festival drives - Windows closed — keeps the cabin dry in town - Automatic — every car we deliver - Any hour — delivery, night arrivals included Kolesio Car Rental Phuket — car rental in Phuket. Booking and support by Kolesio on WhatsApp +66 99 647 8676. Checked 19 October. ## Short answer Songkran turns the streets into a water festival, and a car becomes a slow-moving target on the busiest roads. A driver who expects this gets through calmly; the trouble starts when someone tries to keep a normal schedule through the thickest part of the celebration, in the town centres, in the afternoon. Outside the centres the island keeps moving, and a car is still the simplest way to get between the hotel, a quiet beach and dinner. ### Who this guide is for It is written for visitors who have a rental during the festival and want to know what changes at the wheel. For a closer look at technique, our Songkran at the wheel guide goes deeper; this page is the map, with each situation linked to its own topic. ## What that means for the car Water reaches the car from all sides: buckets, hoses and splashes aimed at passers-by land on the glass without warning. Closed windows keep the cabin and you dry, and the air conditioning makes that bearable in the heat, so check it at handover together with the body, tyres and fuel level. Working wipers matter more on these days than on any ordinary drive. Every car we deliver is an automatic, which helps in the stop-and-go crawl through festive streets: no clutch, just a gentle foot on the brake while people cross in front. A compact class is easier where crowds narrow the street, and a larger car suits families heading to a quieter beach with bags and dry clothes in the boot. Keep a towel and a change of clothes in the boot for the trip back. Stepping out of the car in town is the moment you get wet, and the seats stay dry only if the passengers do when they climb back in. If you land during the festival, we can have the car waiting at the airport arrivals or at your hotel, villa or apartment anywhere in Phuket, at any hour including night arrivals: automatic, first-class commercial insurance, refundable deposit, the total for your dates fixed in chat. Send the dates on WhatsApp or use the booking form; the full offer is on the car rental in Phuket page. ## Step by step A little planning turns the festival from a traffic problem into a cheerful backdrop to the trip. - Fix the dates in chat before the flight — delivery point and class are settled before the festival starts - Check the wipers and air conditioning at handover — both keep your view clear after a splash - Plan trips for the morning — streets fill with water and people as the day goes on - Keep the windows closed in town — water thrown at the car stays outside - Stay away from Patong and the Old Town at the peak — some streets close to cars - Drive slowly near crowds — people step off the kerb without looking ## Crowds, water and closed streets Crowds gather right at the roadside, and in the excitement people step into the lane to throw water or dodge it. Drive slowly and give pedestrians the time they need. A bucket landing on the windscreen can blind you for a moment, and a low speed is what lets you stop calmly when that happens instead of braking in a panic. In Patong and the Old Town some streets close to traffic for the celebrations, so a route that works on an ordinary day can end at a barrier and a crowd. Build a detour into the plan, leave the car outside the busiest area and walk in, or go early before the closures. Turning around in a narrow street is harder when traffic keeps to the left, so read our notes on left-hand driving before the festival days. > Do not open the windows or stop in the middle of a crowd to join in. Water on the seats and dashboard, and a car standing where people are moving, turn a festival day into a problem for you and for them. ## Morning drives and who is at the wheel The morning is the calm part of the festival day. Streets are quieter and the celebrations have not reached full strength, so it is the right time for beach trips, the airport run or a drive across the island. By the afternoon the busiest areas are best left to people on foot, and the car is better parked at the hotel. The festival is also a time of parties, and whoever drives should stay out of them. A second driver is added in advance with the same documents: passport, national licence and International Driving Permit, valid only together with the national card. An unlisted driver at the wheel voids the insurance, as does a missing licence; our driving licence rules explain the details. Refuel before the celebrations take over the streets, not in the middle of them. Check the sticker by the filler flap for the grade, since the wrong fuel is paid for separately, and a quiet morning at the pump is easier than a queue with water flying around. The autumn festival asks for similar care on the roads; see driving on Loy Krathong night. ## Cars for this question Easy automatic cars for a first drive in Phuket: - [Honda HR-V: a crossover with a higher seat and a clear view](https://kolesio.com/en/cars/honda-hr-v-rental-phuket/) - [MG 3: a city hatchback with a simple automatic](https://kolesio.com/en/cars/mg-3/) - [Nissan Note: a hatchback that is easy to drive in town](https://kolesio.com/en/cars/nissan-note-rental-phuket/) - [Suzuki Swift: a small automatic that is easy to park](https://kolesio.com/en/cars/suzuki-swift-rental-phuket/) ## FAQ ### Can you drive in Phuket during Songkran? Yes, with care. Plan trips for the morning, keep the windows closed and avoid Patong and the Old Town at the peak, where some streets close. ### Is it worth renting a car for Songkran? A car keeps you and your bags dry and lets you reach quieter beaches away from the busiest streets. Fix the dates in chat before the flight so the car is ready on arrival. ### Which streets close during Songkran in Phuket? Streets in Patong and the Old Town close to traffic for the celebrations. Leave the car outside those areas and walk in, or go early. ### Should I keep the car windows closed during Songkran? Yes, keep them closed in town. Water is thrown at passing cars, and closed windows with the air conditioning on keep the cabin dry. ### What time of day is best for driving during Songkran? The morning, when streets are quieter and the celebrations have not reached full strength. Later in the day the busy areas are easier on foot. --- Source: kolesio, https://kolesio.com/en/guide/songkran-driving-phuket/. The canonical version of this page is the HTML at this address.