Songkran eSIM Guide: Holafly Discount Code THEDUFRESNES (Up to 30% Off) From Our Bangkok Water Fights
We did Songkran properly during our year living in Bangkok: Silom Road, Khao San Road and Sukhumvit Soi 8 in the Nana area, soaked from start to finish. Chris's phone lived in a zip-lock bag the whole time, and our Holafly eSIM meant there was no SIM card to swap, no kiosk to find and no SIM tray to open anywhere near the water.
What we didn't protect were our ears. Chris came out of Songkran with an ear infection in both ears. That's the part most Songkran guides leave out, and it's why this one has a health section. For everything else about Holafly, see our complete Holafly guide.
Where we celebrated: Silom, Khao San and Soi 8 (Nana)
Silom Road is Bangkok's big Songkran street. The road closes to traffic and turns into one long water fight, with easy access from the BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Silom stations. Khao San Road is the backpacker epicentre: loud, packed and wet from every direction. Sukhumvit Soi 8, in the Nana area near BTS Nana station, was our third stop, away from the two big tourist strips.
In all three, having data mattered more than we expected:
- Finding each other. Crowds split groups in seconds. Live location sharing is the only reliable way to regroup.
- Getting home. Streets close and traffic crawls. You need maps for walking routes and ride-hailing apps once you're done.
- Posting and video calls. Songkran is made for video. Unlimited data means no rationing.
- Emergencies. Lost friends, a lost wallet, or, in our case, a health problem.
How to set up your eSIM before Songkran
- Buy your Holafly Thailand eSIM and enter THEDUFRESNES at checkout for 5% off.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code or using the Holafly app. Do this before you're anywhere near water.
- Pick enough days to cover your whole trip, not just the festival. Plans run from 1 to 90 days.
- When you land, turn on the Holafly line and Data Roaming. Your home SIM stays active for calls and texts.
- Bag the phone (see below) and test that the touchscreen works through it before heading out.
Protecting your phone: the zip-lock method
A waterproof phone pouch is ideal, but a sealed zip-lock bag worked for us. A few lessons:
- Squeeze out the air and seal it fully. A half-closed seal is the same as no bag.
- Double-bag it if you'll be in the thick of it on Silom or Khao San.
- Test unlocking and typing through the plastic before you leave your hotel.
- Bag cash and cards separately. Everything in your pockets gets soaked.
- Keep the phone out of the water entirely. An eSIM means there's no SIM tray to open on the street, which removes one more way for water to get in.
The part nobody warns you about: your ears
Songkran water comes from buckets, barrels, hoses and water guns that get refilled from wherever is closest, and some of it is ice-cold. After three days of being hit in the face and ears, Chris ended up with an infection in both ears.
A few sensible precautions: consider swimmer's earplugs if you're prone to ear trouble, shower and dry your ears after each day, and see a clinic if you develop ear pain. This is general travel advice, not medical advice.
Songkran etiquette in 30 seconds
- Don't splash monks, older people, babies, or anyone on a motorbike.
- People who are clearly dressed for work or not taking part get a pass.
- The white paste you'll see smeared on faces is a traditional blessing. Smile and accept it.
- Remember the festival's roots as the Thai New Year, a time for cleansing and respect. The water fights are the fun part, not the whole point.
Which Holafly option fits your Songkran trip?
| Your trip | Best fit | With THEDUFRESNES |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand only | Thailand eSIM (unlimited data, 1 to 90 days) | 5% off |
| Thailand plus neighbouring destinations | Southeast Asia or Asia regional eSIM | 5% off |
| Long stay or several trips a year | Holafly Plans (160+ destinations) | 10% monthly · up to 20% quarterly · up to 30% annual |
| Want doctor chat and travel protection bundled | Holafly Ultra | See our Ultra review |
Every Holafly eSIM also includes Always On: 1 GB of free backup data every month in 150+ destinations, as long as the eSIM stays installed. It's for your own device only, with no hotspot on backup data.
What travelers on Reddit say
Travelers in Reddit threads often describe using Holafly several times across Europe and Southeast Asia, with good coverage in major cities and enough data for heavy video use. Others say the regional Asia plan made crossing between Thailand and its neighbours simple, and that support over WhatsApp answers quickly when something goes wrong. These match our own experience.
Songkran eSIM FAQ
When is Songkran?
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is officially celebrated April 13–15 every year. Some areas extend celebrations beyond those dates, so check local schedules for the city you're visiting.
What's the best eSIM for Songkran?
A Holafly Thailand eSIM installed before you fly. It gives unlimited data with no physical SIM to swap or expose to water, and code THEDUFRESNES takes 5% off. If you're visiting neighbouring destinations too, choose the Southeast Asia or Asia regional eSIM.
How do I protect my phone during Songkran?
Use a waterproof phone pouch or a fully sealed zip-lock bag, double-bagged for the busiest streets like Silom and Khao San. We used a zip-lock bag. Test the touchscreen through the plastic before heading out.
Did Holafly work for you in Bangkok?
Yes. We used Holafly during our year living in Bangkok, Songkran included, and celebrated on Silom Road, Khao San Road and Sukhumvit Soi 8 in the Nana area.
Can I share data with friends during Songkran?
Yes. The Holafly Thailand eSIM includes 1 GB per day of hotspot sharing on top of unlimited data on your own phone. Unlimited hotspot is a Holafly Plans Unlimited feature.
Can Holafly help if I get sick during Songkran?
Holafly destination eSIMs, including Thailand, now include 24/7 doctor chat, and the Holafly Ultra plan bundles doctor and mental-health chat. These features are new, so check what's available in your destination, and seek in-person care for anything serious.
Is there a Holafly discount code for Thailand?
Yes. THEDUFRESNES is our official Holafly Ambassador discount code and promo code. It gives 5% off destination and regional eSIMs, 10% off monthly Holafly Plans, up to 20% off quarterly Plans, and up to 30% off annual Plans.