Songkran News

Stay up-to-date on the latest Songkran news and celebrations with The Thaiger. Our comprehensive coverage of Thailand’s iconic water festival brings you all the essential information, events, travel tips, and cultural insights you need to make the most of this vibrant annual event. Learn about Songkran’s fascinating history, traditions, and festivities to fully embrace and enjoy the Thai New Year.

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    Sawasdee Thailand: AXA unveils enhanced travel insurance for international visitors amid tourist boom

    We are witnessing a remarkable resurgence of Thailand’s tourism industry in 2024. This revival is spearheaded by the influx of 34 million international visitors, achieving an 85% recovery to the pre-pandemic visitor levels of 2019. This revitalization significantly contributes to...

  • Thai airlines gear up for Songkran splashdown with extra flights

    Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet are gearing up for the Songkran festival, a major annual event in Thailand. With an expectation of a surge in travel demand, these airlines have announced the addition of extra flights and ticket discounts to accommodate this rise. Thai Airways International yesterday announced that it would supplement…

  • Patong prepares for Songkran Music Festival on the Beach 2024

    Patong is gearing up for the annual Songkran Festival celebrations, with a press conference in place on March 15. The conference was held at Bangla Plaza, Patong Beach, at 5pm, to discuss the upcoming Songkran Music Festival On The Beach 2024, scheduled for April 12 to April 14. The Phuket Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, led the press conference and was accompanied…

  • Thailand health minister announces booze measures for Songkran

    Thai Minister of Public Health Cholnan Srikaew recently addressed the public following a meeting with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee. The meeting centred around the development of guidelines for alcohol control during the World Songkran Festival, with a key focus on preventing road accidents related to drunk driving. The Department of Disease Control and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Network in…

  • Songkran sees more stringent alcohol sales regulations

    In a bid to curb road accidents caused by drunk driving during the extended World Songkran Festival, which spans from April 1 to 21, the Public Health Ministry initiated stringent measures to control the sale of alcohol, particularly to minors. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew outlined the festival’s divisions: a preparatory stage running from April 1 to 10, the main…

  • World Songkran Festival to last from April 1 to 21

    In an exciting announcement, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday revealed that plans were underway to organise World Songkran Festival activities nationwide. This decision comes hot on the heels of UNESCO’s recent recognition of the Songkran festival as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has formally acknowledged the significance of the Songkran…

  • Covid-19 inpatients and deaths surge by 150% in Thailand after Songkran celebrations

    In the aftermath of the Songkran celebrations, which concluded on April 15, the number of Covid-19 inpatients and related deaths has seen a significant increase of 150% in just one week. According to the Department of Disease Control, there were 1,088 Covid inpatients from April 16 to 22, compared to the previous week’s figure of 435. Furthermore, the number of…

  • Festival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran

    A sharp increase in Covid inpatients and related fatalities was reported in the week following the Songkran Festival, with numbers soaring by 150% compared to the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Between April 16 and 22, the number of Covid inpatients surged to 1,088, a stark increase from the 435 patients in the preceding week of…

  • Thailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jump by 30% during Songkran

    Thailand certainly seems to have enjoyed itself after celebrating Songkran for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Thailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jumped by 30% during the Songkran holiday, according to Thanakorn Kuptachit, an advisor to the Thai Alcohol Business Association. Related businesses such as restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and event organisers, also got a boost from Songkran.…

  • PPRP pledges to boost economy with soft power promotion in upcoming General Election

    The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has pledged to enhance the promotion of soft power as a key driver of the economy if the party is victorious in the upcoming General Election. Charnkrit Dejwithak, a spokesperson for the party’s election strategy committee, highlighted the significance of a soft power development policy through the example of the Songkran Festival, which draws numerous…

  • Stunning photos of the Songkran Festival, where people from all Around the World Gather to Celebrate

    After years of unfulfilled celebration, the Songkran Festival has finally returned this year. People from all over the world are eager to participate in this Thai tradition during the Thai New Year, and Bangkok is one of the most well-liked locations to celebrate Songkran. Let’s take a look at the vibrant atmosphere of the Songkran Festival, which continues to entice…

  • Songkran traffic accidents spike in Thailand’s first six days, with 2,008 reported incidents

    During the first six days of Thailand‘s Songkran festival, there were 2,008 traffic accidents reported, marking an increase from last year’s more subdued celebrations. Although the festivities resulted in a higher number of casualties this year, the overall number of road deaths has decreased, according to recent data from the Interior Ministry. Chotenarin Kerdsom, permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry,…

  • Health crisis looms as Songkran ends: Expert warns of potential Covid-19 spread

    As the Songkran Festival wraps up, public health expert Dr Thira Woratanarat expressed concerns about the potential spread of the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16. The subvariant is thought to be responsible for a recent increase in Covid-19 cases in India. Dr Thira, a lecturer at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, referred to the…

  • Injuries increased by 81% during Songkran, road fatalities decreased

    Hospital admissions during the Songkran Festival spiked by 81% due to road accidents A significant 81% rise in hospital admissions has been reported due to an alarming 19% increase in the number of people injured in road accidents during the Songkran Festival, as stated by the Ministry of Public Health. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Opas Kankawinpong, expressed his concern…

  • Thai official says 91% of serious injuries during Songkran due to not wearing seat belts

    The Songkran festival, which is celebrated annually in Thailand, is known for its festive water fights and partying. However, it has also gained a reputation for being one of the deadliest times on the roads due to increased traffic and road accidents. According to the Secretary General of the Thai Public Health Ministry, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, there was an uptick…

  • New York State celebrates Songkran

    The state of New York in the US officially celebrated Songkran this year. New York State Representative Steven Raga proposed a bill to celebrate the Thai Songkran festival, the Thai Post reported. Raga wrote a letter to the leaders of the Thai and Asian communities in New York, informing them of the successful resolution to celebrate the festival. Several New…

  • Tourist allegedly pickpocketed at Pattaya Songkran splashing event

    A tourist was allegedly pickpocketed at a Songkran water splashing event in Pattaya. The tourist, 25 year old Chinnawut Lahoong from Bangkok, told police that his wallet was stolen during a splashing event on Pattaya’s Walking Street. Chinnawut informed Pattaya City Law Enforcement about the incident last night. He said that he stopped to buy a water gun while at…

  • Limited access to Khao San Road due to overcrowding

    Police temporarily blocked access to the renowned backpacker haven of Khao San Road last night, as the Songkran event attracted an overwhelming number of participants. Police are urging new visitors to await the departure of those already at the venue before entering the 400-metre-long road in Phra Nakhon district. Songkran festivities kicked off yesterday and are expected to continue well…

  • Songkran to generate billions in revenue for Thailand

    After a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand‘s famous Songkran Festival, or Thai New Year, officially kicked off yesterday. Locals and visitors from all around the world gathered at popular spots across the country to partake in the renowned water-splashing festivities. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that both Thai and foreign tourists will contribute up to…

  • Thai govt warns drivers to keep a brake on road mishaps during ‘Seven Deadly Days’ of Songkran Festival

    The Thai government has issued a warning to drivers who are travelling during the Songkran Festival, urging them to be careful on the road. This warning comes after the Thailand Road Accidents Data Centre for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) reported 74 fatalities and 2,322 injuries on the first day of the “Seven Deadly Days” of the Songkran Festival. As of…

  • TAT expects Phuket to generate at least 4.5 billion baht during Songkran

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects Phuket to generate at least 4.5 billion baht during the Songkran Festival, with over 200,000 tourists expected to visit the island province. The director of TAT’s Phuket Office, Lertchai Wangtrakundee, stated that 84% of hotel rooms have already been booked from April 13 to April 16. Additionally, 258 international flights with 48,302 passengers…

  • RTP warns public to be vigilant ahead of Songkran after 312 million baht stolen in online scams

    The Royal Thai Police (RTP) cautioned the public to be extra vigilant ahead of the Songkran Festival after scammers last week fraudulently stole over 310 million baht in online extortion. The RTP reported over 5,300 fraud cases were reported by victims last week, with most complaints related to online shopping and bank transfer scams. Yesterday, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sompong Chingduang,…

  • Bangkok backpacker haven Khao San Road to close from noon to 8pm for Songkran

    Khao San Business Association today announced that the Bangkok backpacker haven will be closed for business between noon and 8pm every day so revellers can enjoy the Songkran celebrations. Businesses, bars and restaurants will reopen as usual straight after the 8pm cut off. Khao San Business Association President Sanga Ruangwattanakul revealed that the closure of Khao San Road, for the…

  • South Korean Embassy in Thailand ‘boogies’ to celebrate Songkran Festival (video)

    The South Korean Embassy in Thailand got down and boogied in preparation for this week’s Songkran Festival. The embassy staff, including the South Korean Ambassador to Thailand, Moon Seoung-hyun, got into the Thai New Year festive spirit by taking part in the traditional “Ram Thai” dance. The two-minute video went viral, receiving over 400,000 views in just four days on…

  • Unleash the Fun: Exciting Activities to Make Your Songkran Week Unforgettable!

    Happy Songkran everyone! As the temperature rises and the sun shines brightly in the Land of Smiles, Thailand eagerly anticipates its most cherished and vibrant festival – Songkran. Marking the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran is a time for renewal, reflection, and unbridled merriment. Celebrated annually from April 13th to 15th, this exuberant festival showcases the rich…

  • Songkran: The joyful water festival of Thailand

    As the hot sun beats down on the streets of Thailand, locals and tourists alike gear up for one of the most exciting festivals of the year – Songkran. This annual celebration marks the traditional Thai New Year, and it’s a time for cleansing, renewal, and lots of water fun! Water as a celebration of renewal Songkran is a three-day…

  • Songkran celebrations to be held at Bangkok City Hall

    After a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced plans for major Songkran festival celebrations in the Thai capital. The event will feature a water-splashing celebration in front of City Hall in the Phra Nakhon district, which has been designated as the main venue for the festivities. In addition, all 50 district offices across Bangkok will…

  • 4,500 daily bus trips coming up during Thailand’s Songkran holidays

    Travel lovers can look forward to 4,500 daily bus trips during Thailand’s Songkran holidays. The Transport Company announced that it will be operating 4,500 daily trips on state-owned and private buses and vans during the Songkran holidays. The company will carry people from Bangkok back to other provinces. The Songkran Festival, which takes place from April 13 to 15, is…

  • ‘Water Festival 2023’ promotes traditional Thai culture

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced plans to promote traditional Thai culture with a series of events for Songkran under the “Water Festival 2023” banner in four regions between April 13 and 16. The event is a collaborative effort between TAT, Thai Beverage Public Co Ltd (ThaiBev), and several other partners, including the Culture Ministry, the Royal Thai Navy,…

  • Phuket gets green light for Songkran water splashing

    Phuket has been given the green light for water splashing festivities during the upcoming Thai New Year of Songkran. The president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation, Rewat Areerob, confirmed the good news after a three-year break of no water splashing. The official celebrations will be held in Phuket Town on Dibuk Road, in front of the Limelight Avenue shopping…

  • Songkran returns to Pattaya amid Covid concerns

    Pattaya is set to welcome back Songkran after a four-year absence due to pandemic restrictions. The festival, which is known for being the biggest and wettest party in Pattaya, will culminate on April 19 with Wan Lai, or the “Big Day.” However, health officials fear that the unbridled celebration could also bring a new spike in Covid-19 infections, as it…