CHONBURI — 18 April 2026 — Thai and foreign tourists joined locals on Saturday for the annual Songkran “carry women into the sea” tradition on Koh Kham Yai in Si Chang district, a longstanding cultural event unique to the island community.
Chonburi Governor Narit Niramaiwong presided over the opening of the Koh Si Chang Songkran festival, known locally as “Wan Lai Koh Kham”, held on the beach of Koh Kham Yai in Tha Thewawong subdistrict. Residents and visitors turned out in force to take part.
The tradition, held every year on 18 April, dates back to the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), over a hundred years ago. Koh Kham Yai lies about 1 kilometre from the Si Chang district centre and can be reached by a 45-minute boat journey from Jarin Pier in Si Racha.
Festivities include merit-making and alms-giving, ritual bathing of Buddha images, ceremonial offerings, sand pagoda building, traditional games, rowing competitions and sea boxing. The highlight is the “carry women into the sea” ritual, which draws the most attention and participation.
During the ceremony, men, both young and elderly, ask permission to lift women into the sea, offering blessings as they do so. Elderly participants are also carried into the water by younger relatives as a gesture of respect and to receive blessings for the New Year.
The event reflects the island’s fishing heritage, as locals typically spend much of their time at sea. Songkran provides a rare opportunity for families to reunite, with many returning home from elsewhere to celebrate, mend relationships and seek forgiveness.
Female tourists, including foreigners, often join in the ritual without reservation, adding to the lively and inclusive atmosphere. The unusual custom has attracted growing international interest, with many visitors staying overnight on Koh Si Chang to take part and share their experiences abroad.
Locals say the tradition has been carefully preserved over generations, remaining both a source of community pride and a distinctive cultural attraction that continues to draw global attention.
