Songkran News
Songkran news, events, travel tips, and festival updates—stay informed on Thailand’s iconic water festival, its traditions, and celebrations. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Songkran news.
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Pattaya lifts out of order after Wan Lai water chaos
The aftermath of Pattaya’s wild Wan Lai water festival has left more than just soaked streets, some public elevators are out of order, causing frustration and major accessibility issues across the city. As the celebrations fade, the Cleanliness Control Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has launched a deep-cleaning operation, targeting lifts in public areas hit hardest…
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Passenger numbers soar at Thai airports during Songkran festival
Airports of Thailand (AOT) reported that passenger numbers over the Songkran festival period exceeded 2.6 million, marking a 4.3% increase. Some 16,064 flights were operated. AOT chief Kirati Kitmanawat shared insights into this growth during the Songkran festival from April 11 to April 17. The six airports under AOT’s management, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang…
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AOT reports record 2.6 million passengers during Songkran festival
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced impressive air traffic statistics for the Songkran period, highlighting a 4.3% increase in passenger traffic across the six airports it operates, compared to last year. Dr Kerati Kijmanawat, President of AOT, revealed that from April 11 to 17, a total of 2.6 million passengers passed through Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket,…
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Paramilitary volunteer arrested for fatal Songkran stabbing
A Songkran celebration turned deadly in the southern province of Trang after a violent clash led to the fatal stabbing of a teenager — and now a 22 year old paramilitary volunteer is behind bars. Benjaphong, a paramilitary volunteer, was arrested today, April 19, following a dramatic police operation after being accused of fatally stabbing a teenager during a brawl…
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Deadly ‘Labubu’ drug kills 2 after Songkran party
What looked like innocent fun during Songkran has turned deadly, as Thai police warn of a dangerous new designer drug that has already claimed two lives and left another person fighting for their life. The Ramathibodi Poison Centre has issued an urgent public warning about a street drug known as Labubu or Khanom (Thai for snack), believed to have been…
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Songkran crowds pour 1 billion baht into Thai economy
It wasn’t just water flying this Songkran—cash was too. Thailand’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival has soaked the nation in celebration and injected a whopping 1.58 billion baht into the tourism industry, making it one of the most lucrative holiday events in recent memory. According to Government Deputy Spokesperson Anukul Phruksanusak, the five-day spectacle, held from April 11 to 15,…
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Chiang Mai hotels thrive during Songkran with strategic pricing
Hotels in Chiang Mai experienced a strong performance during the Songkran holiday, despite offering lower room rates compared to the previous year. The pricing strategy was aimed at attracting last-minute domestic travellers, whose confidence was affected by last month’s earthquake. Paisarn Sukjarean, President of the Thai Hotels Association’s upper northern chapter, indicated that many Thais remained unsettled by the earthquake…
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Pattaya boosts Songkran safety with drones and freebies
Tourists heading to Koh Larn for Songkran got more than just a splash this year, they were greeted by high-tech patrols, free gifts, and a full force of security personnel as Pattaya rolled out a slick operation to keep visitors safe and smiling. The action unfolded at the Multi-Purpose Hall on Laem Bali Hai Pier, South Pattaya, where senior officials…
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Phuket reports zero road deaths during Songkran so far
Phuket is defying the odds this Songkran, with zero road deaths reported during Thailand’s notorious Seven Days of Danger, despite dozens of accidents involving both locals and foreign tourists. As the annual road and marine safety campaign nears its end, officials gathered today, April 17, at Phuket Provincial Hall to review the province’s performance. The meeting, chaired by Phuket Vice…
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Myanmar teens busted in Prachuap for no ID during Songkran
A group of Myanmar teens hoping to enjoy Thailand’s wild Songkran festivities got more than they bargained for — ending their water fight with a police escort instead of a party. Yesterday, April 16, police in Prachuap Khiri Khan detained 10 Myanmar nationals, all teenagers and young adults, for entering the city to join the Songkran celebrations without any identification…
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Songkran road death toll rises to 200 on sixth day
Thailand’s Songkran celebrations have once again been marred by tragedy, with the road death toll rising to 200, with over 1,300 injured in just six days of road mayhem. The Road Safety Centre reported that from April 11 to 16, the bulk of the annual Seven Dangerous Days campaign, a staggering 1,377 road accidents occurred across the country. The leading culprits? Speeding…
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Pattaya cracks down on dangerous Songkran water guns
What’s meant to be all fun and games during Songkran has taken a dangerous turn, and Pattaya officials are sounding the alarm. As water fights continue to soak the city, officials have issued a stern warning over the use of high-pressure water guns, which have flooded the streets of Soi 6, Soi Buakhao, and Jomtien. Unlike your typical water blasters,…
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Pattaya cops stop Chinese tourists in Songkran truck chaos
A splash of fun turned into a safety scare in Pattaya as police cracked down on reckless Songkran celebrations involving water trucks, and three Chinese tourists found themselves at the centre of the drama. During the city’s famous water-soaked festivities, several water trucks were spotted cruising through town and parking along busy roads, obstructing traffic and creating chaos for both…
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Songkran festival turns sour as woman drenched by teens (video)
A young woman was left frustrated during the Songkran festival after being unexpectedly drenched with water by a group of teenagers, causing her to be knocked off balance. The water’s suspicious yellowish hue further added to her concern. Celebrated annually, the Songkran festival is eagerly awaited by many for its water festivities. However, participants are reminded to prioritise safety, as…
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Cops hunt suspects in Songkran shooting at Nakhon Sawan temple
Police are actively pursuing two people involved in a shooting at a Songkran festival at a well-known temple in Nakhon Sawan, resulting in three injuries, with one person critically wounded after bullets were lodged in eight places on their body. The incident occurred on Monday, April 14, at Wat Krok Phra Nuea, Krok Phra district. Initial investigations revealed that the…
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Songkran 2025 boosts Thai tourism revenue by 26.5 billion baht
Thailand’s tourism and sports minister, Suwong Thienthong, announced that the Songkran festival in 2025 generated an estimated revenue of 26.5 billion baht, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. The festival attracted approximately 470,000 foreign tourists, a 6.5% rise from last year, with visitors hailing from Malaysia, China, India, Russia, Taiwan, Europe, and South Korea. Social media buzz surrounding…
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70 year old woman told to leave concert due to leg pain (video)
A 70 year old woman attended a Lamyai Haithongkham concert at Sanam Luang but was unexpectedly asked to leave by security after requesting a brief sit down due to leg pain. A young woman intervened to assist her. The incident, yesterday, April 15, captured by TikTok user @mamprapa, led to numerous discussions online. In the shared video, the elderly woman,…
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Furious foreigner floored by water gun in Pattaya Songkran bust-up
A Pattaya Songkran party took a dark turn when a furious foreigner with a fresh tattoo got soaked against his will, only to be blasted in the face with a water gun during a heated bust-up, landing him in hospital and police on the hunt for the culprits. The Songkran celebration on Pattaya’s infamous Soi 6 descended into chaos last…
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Teenagers criticised for disrespecting Luang Phor To statue during Songkran
Two teenagers sparked controversy after a video of them dancing and touching the head and face of a revered Luang Phor To statue circulated online. The incident, which occurred during the Songkran festival yesterday, April 15, has drawn significant criticism on social media, with many questioning the appropriateness of their actions. The video, capturing the teenagers’ disrespectful behaviour beside a…
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Bikinis, booty and backlash: Saucy Songkran stirs splash of outrage
Bum-shaking, boob-taping and beachside booty Songkran shows in Bangsaen and Nakhon Ratchasima has exploded into an online firestorm, with Thai police now investigating viral clips of scantily-clad influencers and topless dancers accused of going way too far. Songkran’s wet and wild reputation may have just crossed the line and now police are considering indecency charges after viral videos showed an…
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Pattaya police target water trucks causing Songkran traffic chaos
Pattaya police announced a crackdown on water trucks that obstruct traffic and pose safety risks during Songkran festivities. Yesterday, April 15, at 7.36pm, reporters in Chon Buri observed water trucks spraying people and causing traffic jams in Pattaya, creating potential hazards for those on and around the vehicles. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanuphong Nimsuwan, a traffic inspector at Pattaya City Police…
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Booze clues: Underage drinking promos soak Songkran spirit
Songkran’s splashy celebrations may have cooled the crowds but things are heating up for Thailand’s booze industry after a leading watchdog exposed widespread law-breaking underage alcohol drinking over the holiday. Teera Watcharapranee, director of the StopDrink Network, claims major alcohol brands brazenly flouted the law with flashy promotions and events in more than 137 locations nationwide. “Among these, 42 were…
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Man attacks woman, damages cars during Songkran in Nakhon Ratchasima
A man wielding a baseball bat attacked a woman and damaged two cars, stealing car keys in the process, during the Songkran festival in Nakhon Ratchasima. The incident, which occurred today, April 15, left several people injured and has prompted a public call for the man’s capture. Facebook user จรรยาพร เสาโร shared photos and videos of the assault, describing how…
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Bangkok Songkran draws 360,000, 10 killed in traffic accidents
Songkran festivities in Bangkok attracted a global audience, with over 360,000 people attending events on Silom and Khao San roads during the opening two days of the holiday, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). From April 12 to April 13, Silom Road hosted 165,239 visitors at celebrations held from noon until 10pm, while Khao San Road saw 197,314 people…
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Car overturns in Phayao, killing driver during Songkran festival
A car accident on the Phaholyothin Road in Phayao province resulted in the death of a 33 year old man today, April 14. The car overturned on the rain-slicked road, marking the third fatality in the region during the Songkran festival period. Officers from Mueang Phayao Police Station received a report of a vehicle accident involving an overturned car on…
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Fatal stabbing cancels Charming Maha Songkran event in Trang
A fatal stabbing incident occurred during the Charming Maha Songkran event, leading organisers to immediately cancel the event and pursue legal action against the perpetrators. A 21 year old woman was also injured by a stray bullet. The incident unfolded around 1.15am yesterday, April 13, when Police Lieutenant Pandhiwat Phetloh of the Huai Yot Police Station in Trang province was…
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Child rescued from flip-flop mishap during Songkran in Phayao
On April 13, a young child experienced distress during Songkran festivities in Phayao province when a flip-flop shoe became stuck on their foot. The incident occurred near a water tunnel behind a concert stage, where the child was enjoying the water play among tourists, including both teenagers and children. Attempts were made to remove the shoe by pouring water over…
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Songkran boosts Thai regional airport traffic with celebrations
Regional airports across Thailand are experiencing a surge in both domestic and international travellers as the nation celebrates the Songkran festival. Yesterday, April 13, the first day of Songkran, cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen hosted their events, attracting thousands eager to join the annual celebrations. In Phuket, Patong Beach became a hub of activity…
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Songkran drink-driving cases top 1,300 in two days
The Department of Probation has released statistics revealing that drink-driving cases remain high during the Songkran festival, accumulating over 1,300 cases in two days. Today, April 13, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suriya Singhakamol, Director-General of the Department of Probation, reported on cases entering probation yesterday, marking the second day of stringent measures. A total of 1,037 cases were recorded, with six…
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Thai airports welcome travellers with Moo Deng dolls for Songkran (video)
Travellers arriving at Thai airports during the Songkran festival have been welcomed with dolls of a popular animal, intriguing both returning residents and holidaymakers. At Suvarnabhumi and five other international airports, passengers discovered trays of Moo Deng dolls on the baggage carousel yesterday, April 12. Each Moo Deng doll is dressed in a Songkran-themed floral shirt. Airports of Thailand Plc…
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