songkran festival

  • Songkran NewsICONSIAM’s ‘THAICONIC SONGKRAN CELEBRATION’ promises 12 Days of joy through water splashing and cultural activities

    ICONSIAM’s ‘THAICONIC SONGKRAN CELEBRATION’ promises 12 Days of joy through water splashing and cultural activities

    In celebration of the Songkran Festival’s prestigious recognition by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the Chao Phraya River, has collaborated with the government including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand, The Government Public Relations Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade…

  • Thailand NewsSongkran festival in Chiang Mai to draw in millions of tourists

    Songkran festival in Chiang Mai to draw in millions of tourists

    Anticipation builds as the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, set to span 10 days, is projected to pull in millions of tourists, raking in an estimated 20 billion baht in revenue. This year’s observance of the festival, scheduled from April 7 to 17, is particularly special as it not only seeks to uphold the local Lanna culture but also marks…

  • Thailand NewsBali Hai Pier roof construction to be completed before Songkran

    Bali Hai Pier roof construction to be completed before Songkran

    Ensuring the safety and comfort of locals and tourists, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai has pledged to complete the roof construction at Bali Hai Pier before the Songkran festival. Manoch, along with city council members, personally inspected the ongoing project at the pier on Tuesday, March 19. The construction project at Bali Hai Pier entails two fundamental components. One is…

  • Thailand NewsThai airlines gear up for Songkran splashdown with extra flights

    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…

  • Thailand NewsThailand health minister announces booze measures for Songkran

    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…

  • Tourism NewsThailand adds 38 flights to soar past Songkran price surge

    Thailand adds 38 flights to soar past Songkran price surge

    Thailand’s Civil Aviation Office (CAAT) has decided to add 38 new flights to its schedule, in an attempt to combat inflated airfare prices during the Songkran festival and improve the overall travel experience for holidaymakers. Deputy Director of the CAAT, Sarun Benjanirat, brought this development to light as a direct response to the call from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit for…

  • Business NewsSongkran festival projected to generate 24.4 billion baht in revenue

    Songkran festival projected to generate 24.4 billion baht in revenue

    The Songkran festival, one of Thailand’s most anticipated events, is projected to yield an impressive 24.4 billion baht (US$682 million) in revenue. This figure is a result of an estimated 510,000 international visitors and 4.29 million domestic trips, as stated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). In a bid to attract more international tourists, the government unveiled plans for…

  • Thailand NewsSongkran sees more stringent alcohol sales regulations

    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…

  • Thailand NewsDon Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes

    Don Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes

    An initiative to combat heavy traffic congestion at Don Mueang International Airport‘s Terminal 2 will see the enforcement of designated passenger drop lanes for taxi drivers starting today, March 1. This mandate is part of the Transport Ministry’s broader strategy to enhance passenger experience at the nation’s largest low-carrier hub, an imperative necessity as the Songkran holiday period is expected…

  • Thailand NewsTransport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights

    Transport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights

    Amid escalating complaints over skyrocketing airfare prices, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced an additional 38 domestic flights and an estimated 13,000 seats for the upcoming Songkran holiday season in April. Suriya asserted that this measure is just one of the short-term solutions being devised to combat the escalating airfare predicament. “We’re taking decisive action to address the concerns raised by…

  • Transport NewsThai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran

    Thai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran

    The quality of traffic on Rama 2 Road in Thailand is set to improve ahead of the Songkran Festival, as promised by the Thai Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, on February 27. The vow comes in the wake of a delay in the road’s construction, a setback attributed to the impact of Covid-19 on the contractors in charge of the…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok gears up for grandiose govt backed Songkran festival

    Bangkok gears up for grandiose govt backed Songkran festival

    Bangkok is set for an unprecedented Songkran, the annual water festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has plans to incorporate the festivities into the government’s soft power promotion policy, making this year’s festival more grandiose. The announcement came from Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, yesterday. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had a meeting discussing the city’s readiness for…

  • Thailand NewsThai Labour Ministry considers raising minimum wage as Songkran gift

    Thai Labour Ministry considers raising minimum wage as Songkran gift

    The Labour Ministry, headed by Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, is considering raising the minimum wage for certain professions as a Songkran festival gift. The announcement is expected to take place within a year, covering the entire country. Additionally, the Cabinet is looking into providing a full monthly salary for maternity leave of 98 days. This was discussed at a meeting of the…

  • Thailand NewsState Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran

    State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities. This initiative, set to kick off tomorrow, January 12, aims to alleviate the surge in travel demand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Kicking off with Songkran, the service allows eager…

  • Thailand NewsUNESCO recognises Songkran festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage

    UNESCO recognises Songkran festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage

    Thursday witnessed a series of events commemorating the Songkran Festival’s recent recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The official declaration was made yesterday during UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee meeting for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Botswana. The Culture Ministry’s application for the inclusion of the Songkran Festival was approved by…

  • Thailand NewsThailand considering month-long Songkran Festival to boost economy

    Thailand considering month-long Songkran Festival to boost economy

    The National Soft Power Development Committee in Thailand is proposing to extend the Songkran Festival for the entire month of April. Traditionally held from April 13-15, the water-splashing festivities are a cornerstone of the celebration. The committee hopes that by extending the festival and incorporating a range of other cultural events across the country, the festival could be promoted to…

  • Thailand NewsKanchanaburi Songkran Festival tragedy: 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting

    Kanchanaburi Songkran Festival tragedy: 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting

    Police arrested two gunmen following a shooting at a Songkran Festival celebration in the central province of Kanchanaburi on April 17. The incident resulted in the death of an 18 year old man and injury to a 17 year old man. The shooting broke out while many people were splashing water on the road near the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi…

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

    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…

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

    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…

  • Thailand NewsInjuries increased by 81% during Songkran, road fatalities decreased

    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…

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

    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…

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

    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…

  • GuidesSongkran: The joyful water festival of Thailand

    Songkran: The joyful water festival of Thailand

    As the hot sun beats down on the streets of Thailand in April, many are gearing 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…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | More women accuse politician in major sex scandal

    Thailand News Today | More women accuse politician in major sex scandal

    3 more women have broken their silence, adding to claims of one of the largest sex scandals in Thailand involving a senior politician. On Monday, another three women filed complaints with police against former Democrat deputy leader ปริญญ์ พานิชภักดิ์, for a total of eight women who have officially accused him of sexual misconduct. Lawyer Sittra escorted the three women to…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Breathalyser and Blood Tests for Drivers this Songkran

    Thailand News Today | Breathalyser and Blood Tests for Drivers this Songkran

      France has shown its support for Thailand’s fight against Covid-19 by donating over three million doses of Pfizer vaccines to the Kingdom of Thailand. The donation will be well-received by Thai people as surveys reveal that Thais have more confidence in the effectiveness of the U.S.-produced Pfizer vaccine than they do in the ones produced in Thailand. The French…

  • Thailand NewsSongkran: MOPH to measure blood alcohol levels during festival’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’

    Songkran: MOPH to measure blood alcohol levels during festival’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’

    The Ministry of Public Health plans to use blood testers to measure the alcohol level of drivers during the “Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran”. Authorities say the blood test would be used in addition to the standard breathalyzer test. If anyone refuses to get tested, officers will assume them to be drunk. The crowded roads during the annual Songkran Festival…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Songkran this year: what you can and can’t do

    Thailand News Today | Songkran this year: what you can and can’t do

    no foam parties or powder smearing will be allowed in Bangkok during Songkran next month, but when it comes to water splashing on the Thai New Year the rules are a bit vague. Quote unquote “Traditional water sprinkling” is allowed, but officials did not go into detail about what exactly that means. The Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee decided to allow…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Thailand’s Tourism sector demands full reopening

    Thailand News Today | Thailand’s Tourism sector demands full reopening

    Tourism businesses in Thailand are struggling to survive and barriers to increasing the number of foreign visitors to the kingdom must be removed immediately. That’s the view of Chamnan Srisawat from the Tourism Council of Thailand, who says the Omicron variant, coupled with Russia’s war on Ukraine, has dealt a double blow to the sector. A TCT poll that surveyed…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Bangkok Police crack down on ‘Gentleman’s clubs”

    Thailand News Today | Bangkok Police crack down on ‘Gentleman’s clubs”

    The five boating buddies of the Thai actress Tangmo should take lie detector tests — again. That’s the recommendation of Senator Somchai, head of the Standing Committee on Human Rights, Rights, Liberties and Consumer Protection.   He made the statement to the media after a meeting on Monday, in which he heard reports from the police and forensics pathologists involved…

  • Thailand NewsSongkran 2022 might be back on in Thailand! | GMT

    Songkran 2022 might be back on in Thailand! | GMT

    A Songkran with water MAY end up being a thing for 2022. PHUKET MONOPOLY. Blood and organ harvesting claims by Thai woman in Cambodia were fake. Most Thais ‘open’ to green.