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.
-
Sponsored Could bitcoin serve as a hedge against US Tariffs?
If you hold a certain amount of bitcoin or whether you’re planning to buy some soon, you must be wondering what impact the US tariffs have on the coveted crypto’s price. A market analysis by Inky Cho, Financial Markets Strategist...
-
Thailand waives toll fees on major roads for Songkran travel
Thailand is easing the burden on travellers this Songkran, with the government announcing that tolls on two major motorways and two expressways will be waived, allowing motorists to travel for free during the long holiday. The toll exemption is part of a plan to reduce congestion as millions of Thais head home to celebrate the Thai New Year with family.…
-
Phuket set for alcohol-free Songkran festival to boost tourism
Phuket will host its annual alcohol-free Songkran festival next Sunday, April 13, featuring traditional activities, cultural performances, live music, and a family-friendly environment. This event celebrates Songkran’s cultural significance while promoting tourism and local business. Phuket Deputy Governor Samawit Suphanphai recently shared details of the 11th annual Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025. The festival involves the Phuket Provincial Administrative…
-
Tourism sector urges Thai government to ensure hotel safety
Private sector organisations are urging the government to issue safety certifications for hotels and lift the disaster area declaration to restore confidence in tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Suwang Theinthong discussed the impact of recent earthquakes on tourism with various stakeholders, expressing concern over potential declines in tourist numbers. Efforts are underway to communicate that Bangkok is the only truly…
-
Fuel prices slashed to ease Songkran travel costs
Motorists across Thailand are in for a welcome surprise as fuel prices are set to drop just in time for the Songkran holiday rush. PTT Station announced a 0.50 baht per litre cut in retail prices for both petrol and diesel, effective from 5am today, March 28. The reduction is part of a wider initiative by the Oil Fuel Fund…
-
Phuket’s alcohol-free Songkran festival returns
Phuket is gearing up for Songkran with a booze-free twist! The Songkran No Alcohol Festival is back for its 11th year, promising cultural charm, live music, and family-friendly fun—without the chaos of drunken revelry. Phuket officials are preparing for another safe and tradition-focused songkran as the island hosts the Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025, organised for the 11th consecutive year,…
-
ThaiBev’s Water Festival 2025 to boost tourism and spending
Thai Beverage (ThaiBev) is set to organise the Water Festival 2025 from April 12 to 15, in collaboration with partners including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Ministry of Culture. Event chairman Suraphon Svetasreni stated that the festival aims to enhance tourism and generate over 10 million baht in spending. The festival will support Thai cultural tourism while…
-
PM Paetongtarn asks Thais to don elephant pants for Songkran
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is encouraging all Thais to wear elephant pants from their respective provinces during the upcoming Songkran water festival to promote Thai culture and local identity. The prime minister made the call before chairing the first meeting of the National Soft Power Strategies Committee at Government House. Wearing a pair of blue elephant pants from Kanchanaburi, which featured…
-
Songkran to boost Thailand’s tourism by 26.5 billion baht
The Songkran festival is anticipated to generate 26.5 billion baht, attracting 476,000 international tourists and facilitating 4.4 million domestic trips, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that revenue from international markets between April 12 and 16 is projected to rise by 7% year-on-year, reaching 7.3 billion baht. Meanwhile, domestic revenue is expected…
-
Extra 25,000 seats on Thailand flights for Songkran
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit unveiled plans to launch an aerial bonanza this Songkran, pledging to add a whopping 25,000 seats on domestic flights while slashing airfares on select routes by a tantalising 30%. With the festival fervour set to peak between April 11 to 17, Suriya held an emergency summit yesterday, March 10. Flanked by state agency moguls and industry…
-
Thailand tackles high airfares for Songkran festival
The Transport Ministry has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to tackle the high cost of airfares during long weekends and holiday periods, in preparation for the Songkran festival in April. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated yesterday that CAAT has also been instructed to devise long-term measures to control prices, ensuring airfares remain within a reasonable limit while…
-
Songkran festival boosts Thailand’s tourism with 140 billion baht
This year’s Songkran festival, spanning over three weeks, spurred a remarkable 140 billion baht influx into Thailand’s tourism sector, surpassing the anticipated 132 billion baht. Foreign tourist arrivals soared to a hefty 1.9 million amidst the celebrations, divulged the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The festival, running from April 1 to April 21, witnessed multiple sectors cashing in on the festive…
-
Pattaya’s post-Songkran clean-up disposes 20 tonnes of trash
Pattaya witnessed a massive clean-up operation after the Wan Lai Day festivities, a grand culmination of the Songkran celebrations, left behind a staggering 20 tonnes of garbage. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai took to the city’s streets on the morning of April 20 to personally inspect the aftermath and to extend support to the Pattaya City Environment Office workers tasked…
-
Songkran festival drives 90% hotel booking rates in Thailand
Tienprasit Chaiyapatanan, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), revealed to the public yesterday that the Songkran festival, which took place from April 13 to April 15, witnessed a gratifying 90% hotel booking rate in major tourist zones. This surge in bookings mirrors the popularity of the traditional Thai water festival among both local and international visitors. However, an extension…
-
Dip in Pattaya hotel occupancy despite Songkran festivities
Pattaya’s hotels and those in neighbouring provinces have seen a dip in occupancy rates during the Wan Lai Songkran festival. This downturn has prompted hoteliers to critique the promotional strategy for the extended 21-day Songkran celebration. Morrakot Kuldilok, head of the eastern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), projected that the occupancy rate in Pattaya would touch 70% over…
-
Thai tourist struck on the head at Sattahip temple
A Thai tourist hailing from Chiang Mai was assaulted at the Nong Chap Tao Temple in Sattahip, Chon Buri. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, saw the man being struck on the head with the handle of a pistol. The victim, identified as Nakorn, was rushed to Wat Yan Hospital following the incident on April 18. He was reported…
-
Teen’s airsoft gun rampage sparks chaos at Songkran in Pattaya
Chaos erupted during the Songkran festivities as a teenager brandishing airsoft guns incited fear and panic in Soi 7, Central Pattaya, sending shockwaves through the crowd of over a thousand tourists on April 15. Pattaya police swiftly apprehended the 17 year old juvenile responsible for the terrorizing act, taking him to the police station for questioning. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon…
-
Songkran festival sees surge in road accidents across Thailand
Thailand is grappling with a surge in road accidents, with an alarming tally of 2,044 mishaps leading to 2,060 injuries and a tragic loss of 287 lives. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) released these figures as part of their Seven Days of Road Safety Campaign, which covered the Songkran festival period from April 11 to April 17.…
-
Pattaya sees record tourist surge during Songkran
As the extended Songkran holiday wrapped up on Tuesday, tourists bid farewell to the sun-kissed islands surrounding Pattaya, turning the Bali Hai Pier area into a buzzing hub of activity. Local authorities ramped up services to cater to the influx, ensuring convenience for visitors throughout the holiday period. Officers stationed at the pier witnessed a remarkable influx of tourists from…
-
Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident
A police officer was transferred to the Police Hospital in Bangkok following a severe traffic collision that left him critically injured. The incident occurred during the mid-Songkran festival traffic duties in Lopburi province when a female driver struck the officer, 39 year old Police Lance Corporal Piyaphan Seesuay, also known as Dab Tao. The medical team, after an immediate CT…
-
Hong Kong man arrested with drugs at Songkran event in Bangkok
Police arrested a man from Hong Kong at the S2O Songkran Music Festival 2024 water fight in the Ratchada area of Bangkok on April 16 for possession of ketamine and happy water. More than 200 officers from Wang Thong Lang Police Station, along with K-9 dogs, screened participants for weapons and drugs at the festival entrance during the three-day event.…
-
6 Thai men arrested for attacking 2 foreigners during Songkran
Police arrested six Thai men for beating and stabbing two foreign men during the Songkran festival in the Isaan province of Roi Et on April 15. Officers from Mueang Roi Et Police Station investigated the water fight event on Thewa Phiban Road at about 10.30pm on April 15 after receiving reports of a physical altercation. Two injured foreigners were rushed…
-
Thai man and foreigner clash over water splash dispute (video)
A water splash dispute between a foreign man and a Thai man became more than a storm in a coffee cup at a petrol station in the eastern province of Rayong sparking controversy on Thai social media. The argument reportedly began when the Thai man splashed water into the foreign man’s coffee cup. The Thai man, identified only as Sorn,…
-
Songkran celebration turns violent in Phitsanulok with gang attack
A gang of youths caused a stir on the streets of Phitsanulok as the first day of Songkran turned violent and resulted in several serious injuries. The incident, which occurred on April 13, began when a group of young men climbed onto a vehicle and sexually assaulted a woman. After being confronted and asked to get off, they returned with…
-
Join the ultimate Songkran world-class festival at Central shopping centres
Featuring the first-ever Miss Songkran Universe, ‘Sheynnis Palacios’ Miss Universe 2023, in ‘Mahothornthewi’ look. Along with the grand Songkran celebrations at Central shopping centres across the country. Plan B and Joey Boy brought a parade of 100 popular artists to perform at the most exciting music festival: ‘Thai Rhythm Songkran Festival 2024’ from 13-14 April 2024. Folks enjoyed free-entry special…
-
2 Thai men arrested for sexually assaulting women at Songkran
Police arrested two Thai men after a viral video on social media showed them sexually assaulting three women during a water fight at a Songkran Festival in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The incident occurred at about 8pm on April 15 at a water fight event on Phraekkasa Road in the Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. A video of the…
-
Songkran festival ends with 243 deaths in traffic accidents
The six-day Songkran festival holiday in Thailand ended in tragedy as road accidents claimed the lives of 243 people and left 1,837 others injured. As announced by Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob on Wednesday, some 1,811 traffic accidents were recorded from April 11 to 16, coinciding with the period when many individuals travel back to their home provinces to join in…
-
Clean sweep: 150 tonnes of post-Songkran waste vanish from Bangkok
Some 150 tonnes of waste was cleared from Silom and Khao San roads following the conclusion of Songkran festivities. This colossal clean-up operation was overseen by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who visited Khao San Road yesterday to assess the situation and boost the morale of the city’s cleaning personnel. Khao San Road and its surrounding area were found to be…
-
Nearly 100k return to Bangkok post-Songkran via public transport
The acting director and president of Transport Company Ltd made a public announcement yesterday, disclosing the substantial numbers of citizens returning to Bangkok after the Songkran festival. Between April 15 and 17, passenger logs recorded more than 99,995 individuals making their round trips using public buses and vans. The total number of trips during this period exceeded 6,689. Atthawit Rakchamroon…
-
Bangkok ramps up AI security for safe Songkran festivities
Bangkok tightens security for Songkran celebrations with artificial intelligence (AI) and emergency measures. Bangkok is bracing for Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, with stringent security measures in place, particularly in popular celebration areas such as Silom and Khao San Road. In previous years, overcrowding has been a significant concern, prompting authorities to implement new strategies to ensure public safety.…
-
Water gun incident sparks foreign tourist dispute at Songkran event
The lively Thaweewong Road, on Patong Beach in Phuket, bore witness to a heated dispute between two foreign visitors at a Songkran event. This incident, occurring around 4.20pm on April 13, was sparked by a minor altercation involving a water gun. The Songkran event is renowned for its playful water fights, which are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Despite…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.