The ‘Haze Buds’ Guide to Songkran (Water Festival)
February 11, 2026
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It starts with a single drop of water.
Maybe it comes from a silver bowl held by a smiling grandmother. Maybe it comes from a high-pressure water gun wielded by a backpacker in a floral shirt. But once that first drop lands, there is no going back.
Welcome to Songkran.
For the uninitiated, Songkran is the Thai New Year. It takes place every year in mid-April. Traditionally, it is a time of cleansing, respect, and family. But in Chiang Mai, it has evolved into something else entirely. It is the world’s largest, wettest, and wildest water fight.
For three to five days, the entire city transforms. The moat becomes a battlefield. Pickup trucks loaded with ice water patrol the streets. Strangers become friends (and targets). The music is loud, the energy is infectious, and the water is inescapable.
For the cannabis enthusiast, Songkran presents a unique challenge. You want to be part of the fun. You want to be high. You want to enhance the sensory overload of the festival with a great Sativa.
But there is one major problem: Water kills weed.
If your joint gets soaked, it’s game over. If your lighter gets wet, you are stranded. If your stash bag floods, your premium flowers turn into a soggy, un-smokeable mess.
At HazeBuds Cannabis Dispensary, we have survived many Songkrans. We know the drill. We know where to party, where to hide, and most importantly, how to keep your supplies dry.
“Keep your stash dry this April. Get a holder.”
You buy a waterproof phone pouch for your iPhone. Why wouldn’t you buy protection for your pre-rolls? Our Teak Wood Joint Holders aren’t just accessories; during Songkran, they are survival gear.
Here is your ultimate tactical guide to surviving the water wars of Chiang Mai, staying high, and keeping dry.
Chiang Mai during Songkran is not uniform. Different areas have different vibes (and different water pressure levels). To plan your day, you need to know the map.
This is the square road surrounding the Old City.
The Vibe: Chaos. Pickup trucks are gridlocked, blasting music. People are dancing on the street. Water is being bucketed out of the moat (don’t drink it!).
Risk Level: Extreme. You will be soaked to the bone within 5 seconds of stepping onto the road.
HazeBuds Strategy: Our Old City and Chiang Mai Gate branches are right in the thick of it. Use our shops as “Safe Zones.” Run in, dry off in the AC, re-supply, and head back out.
The plaza in front of the gate turns into a massive stage with foam parties, DJs, and water cannons.
The Vibe: Clubbing in the daylight. High energy. Lots of tourists.
Risk Level: High. The water cannons here are powerful.
HazeBuds Strategy: Smoke your Sativa before you enter the crowd. It is impossible to roll or light anything once you are in the mosh pit.
The trendy district turns into a runway for cool kids with big water guns.
The Vibe: Slightly more organized, lots of stages sponsored by big brands.
Risk Level: Medium-High.
Inside the temples (like Wat Phra Singh), the vibe is respectful. People pour scented water on Buddha images and build sand pagodas.
The Vibe: Peaceful, cultural, beautiful.
Risk Level: Low. You generally don’t get splashed inside temple grounds (it’s disrespectful). This is your sanctuary.
During Songkran, plastic bags are not enough. Ziplocks fail. They rip. They open accidentally in your pocket when you are dancing.
You need armor. You need the HazeBuds Teak Wood Joint Holder.
Why Teak Wood? We have talked about teak’s durability before, but during Songkran, its water resistance is the star feature. Teak is rich in natural oils. It was used to build ships because it doesn’t rot or warp when wet.
The Design Features for Songkran:
The Seal: Our holders use a friction-fit or screw-top mechanism that creates a tight seal. Even if a bucket of ice water is dumped directly on your pocket, the water flows over the wood, not inside it.
The Crush Protection: Songkran is physical. You bump into people. You might slip on the wet pavement. A plastic tube will crack. A cardboard box will disintegrate. A solid block of teak will protect your pre-roll from any impact.
The Grip: Wet hands are slippery. Smooth plastic or metal slides right out of your hand and into the gutter. Wood has a natural grain texture that provides grip even when soaking wet.
The Test: We have literally thrown these holders into a bucket of water, left them there for an hour, and pulled out a bone-dry joint. It is the insurance policy you need.
Songkran is a marathon, not a sprint. It lasts all day, for multiple days. Choosing the right strain is crucial for maintaining your stamina and mood.
Daytime Recommendation: Jelly Donutz (Sativa)
Why: You need energy. You are walking, dancing, and fighting water battles. Jelly Donutz provides a euphoric, high-energy buzz that keeps you smiling even when someone dumps ice water down your back. It makes the colors of the Hawaiian shirts pop and the music sound incredible.
Avoid: Heavy Indicas like Godfather Bomb. If you get “couch-lock” during Songkran, you become a sitting duck. You will just sit there getting wet and miserable. Save the Indica for the night.
Nighttime Recommendation: Cashew Sundae (Indica)
Why: After 8 hours of water fighting, your body will be exhausted. Your skin will be pruned. You will be cold. Cashew Sundae warms the body, relaxes the muscles, and helps you sleep through the noise of the partying city.
You have your weed. You have your Teak Holder. But how do you actually smoke when water is flying everywhere?
1. The “Side-Soi” Strategy Do not try to smoke on the main road. It is impossible. Your joint will get wet in seconds. Duck into a small side street (Soi). The water fighting usually sticks to the main arteries. Find a dry overhang or an awning.
2. The “Human Shield” If you are with a group of friends, form a circle (a phalanx). Have your friends stand with their backs to you, blocking incoming water, while you light up in the center. Teamwork makes the dream work.
3. The “HazeBuds Refuge” This is the best option. Our shops are open during Songkran. We have AC. We have dry towels (usually). We have a roof. Run into HazeBuds Old City or Chiang Mai Gate.
Take a break.
Dry your hands.
Smoke in peace.
Rehydrate with water (crucial!).
Head back out into the fray.
If dealing with lighters and joints seems too stressful during a water war, there is a simple solution: Edibles.
Kanha Gummies or Bloom Gummies are waterproof by nature (until you eat them).
The Strategy: Eat a gummy before you leave your hotel.
The Benefit: The high lasts for 4-6 hours. You don’t have to worry about carrying paraphernalia. You don’t have to worry about finding a dry spot to light up. You just ride the wave.
The Timing: Songkran usually starts heating up around 1:00 PM. Take your gummy at 12:00 PM with lunch. By the time the water starts flying, you will be in the zone.
Songkran is fun, but it has rules. Cannabis is legal, but public smoking is still restricted.
1. Don’t blow smoke in people’s faces. People are already getting hit with water and chalk powder (din sor pong). They don’t want a cloud of smoke in their face too. Be respectful. Move away from the crowd.
2. Watch out for families. Songkran is a family holiday. Do not smoke near children or the elderly.
3. Respect the Water. The water used in Songkran is often sourced from the moat (which isn’t drinkable) or huge barrels. Do not let water get into your mouth. And definitely don’t let it get onto your rolling papers—moat water joints are a health hazard!
After a day of Songkran, you will be:
Sunburnt.
Wet.
Exhausted.
Possessing “Pruney” skin.
The HazeBuds Recovery Kit:
CBD Balm: You have been running and carrying heavy buckets of water. Your shoulders will hurt. Rub Bloom CBD Balm on your muscles after your shower.
CBD Oil (Diip): The sensory overload of the festival can leave you wired. Taking CBD oil helps calm the nervous system and stop the “phantom water gun” flinching response.
Dry Herb: A nice bowl of Banana Melt to warm you up and stimulate your appetite for a big dinner.
1. Sunglasses: Essential. Not just for the sun, but to protect your eyes from dirty water and, if you smoked a heavy Sativa, to hide your red eyes.
2. Floral Shirt: It is the uniform. Buy a bright Hawaiian shirt at the market.
3. Waterproof Bag (Ocean Pack): Buy a yellow or blue waterproof dry bag. Put your HazeBuds Teak Holder, your lighter, your money, and your phone in here. Do not trust your pockets.
4. Sandals with Grip: The floor is slippery. Flip-flops will float away. Wear sandals with straps (like Tevas or Crocs).
Songkran is an experience you will never forget. It is pure, unadulterated joy. It is a city-wide water park.
But like any extreme environment, it requires preparation. Don’t let a soggy joint ruin your mood. Don’t be the person trying to dry out a cigarette with a lighter under a dripping awning.
Be the pro. Be the person who pulls a pristine, dry, perfect pre-roll out of a beautiful Teak Wood Holder.
Keep your stash dry this April. Get a holder.
Stop by HazeBuds today. Pick up your waterproof gear, your Sativa fuel, and your recovery balm. We are ready for the water. Are you?
Happy Songkran! Sawasdee Pee Mai!
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