The food culture of Songkran, Loy Krathong, Chinese New Year and Buddhist holidays.
Street food everywhere during the festival — the whole country eats outside; pad thai and boat noodles from carts along the water-fight streets.
CNY brings tray-of-togetherness (family sharing plates), Chinese sweets, and festive foods; Vegetarian Festival means Jay food on every corner.
Festival street markets with traditional sweets — khanom piak poon (coconut jelly), khanom tom (coconut rice balls), traditional Thai sweets rarely seen at other times.
Alcohol is unavailable; restaurants stay open for food; some restaurants close out of respect; a good day to focus on temple visits and street food rather than bars.
Wan Phra (Buddhist holy days) and major festival dates shift each year against the lunar calendar — worth checking dates before a trip if avoiding alcohol-free days matters to your plans.
Even amid the water fights, food carts keep running along the main streets — waterproof your phone and cash if planning to eat street food during the festival itself.