Songkran

  • 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…

  • Business NewsHigh airfares dampen Songkran holiday spirit

    High airfares dampen Songkran holiday spirit

    Despite the extended Songkran holiday, a surge in outbound trips is not anticipated, mainly due to high airfares and deflation risk concerns. This perspective comes from travel agents who predict that the 21-day Water Festival campaign is more likely to entice foreign tourists than the local market. Kriangphon Piyaekchai, the vice president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, explained that…

  • Thailand NewsThai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday

    Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Friday, April 12 a special government holiday, amplifying the Songkran celebrations with a five-day weekend. The decision made a full two months ahead of the festival, aims to provide ample time for both individuals and businesses to prepare for the festivities. The 61 year old Thai PM-cum-finance minister expressed his desire for the Ministry of Tourism…

  • Songkran NewsThailand gears up for World Songkran Festival

    Thailand gears up for World Songkran Festival

    Preparations are underway for the World Songkran Festival, with a meeting set to take place next week, as per a statement given by Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), on February 8. The meeting, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior, the private sector, and other relevant agencies, will focus…

  • Thailand NewsHong Kong Kowloon City to host Songkran festivities and more to boost tourism

    Hong Kong Kowloon City to host Songkran festivities and more to boost tourism

    Hong Kong’s District Councils are on a mission to rejuvenate the city’s allure, unveiling a host of creative proposals to entice locals and tourists alike. Kowloon City District Council is taking the lead with an electrifying idea – the Kowloon City Thai Vibes with food and water-splashing carnival. Aimed at celebrating the Thai New Year, Songkran, the festivities promise an…

  • 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 NewsThailand’s plan to extend Songkran raises eyebrows and 5.1 billion baht in soft power bid

    Thailand’s plan to extend Songkran raises eyebrows and 5.1 billion baht in soft power bid

    Thailand‘s iconic Songkran Festival might be turning into a month-long water extravaganza in a bid to boost the country’s soft power, or a potential disaster waiting to happen? Thailand’s political arena is buzzing with controversy as the Pheu Thai Party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, unveils an audacious plan to extend the beloved Songkran Festival. The goal? To solidify the nation’s soft…

  • Thailand NewsShinawatra greenlights 5.1 billion baht for soft power industries and Songkran

    Shinawatra greenlights 5.1 billion baht for soft power industries and Songkran

    The Soft Power National Development Committee, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has approved a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost 11 industries in Thailand, including the Songkran festival. The plan includes a grand Songkran celebration, dubbed the World Water Festival – The Songkran Phenomenon, to draw international tourists to Thailand. The announcement was made on December 1. The Soft Power…

  • EventsInteresting festivals to experience in Thailand

    Interesting festivals to experience in Thailand

    Thailand’s calendar is full of exhilarating festivals. From floating lanterns and elaborate candle sculptures to massive water fights and monkey banquets, each month offers a fantastic opportunity to celebrate with friends, family, and loved ones. Attending these festivals is always a pleasant and memorable experience. Besides, it’s a great way to gain insights into the country’s rich culture and tradition.…

  • Crime NewsCops finally catch Songkran stabbing suspect in Phuket after 6 years

    Cops finally catch Songkran stabbing suspect in Phuket after 6 years

    Cops finally caught a suspect in a Songkran stabbing attack in Phuket, six years after he allegedly committed his crime. The suspect, 33 year old Jirapong, allegedly stabbed and seriously injured another man during Songkran in 2017, in the central Prachin Buri province. Jirapong had reportedly been celebrating and drinking alcohol with his friends before he and a teenager got…

  • Covid-19 NewsRise in Covid-19 inpatients and deaths expected to increase during Thailand’s rainy season

    Rise in Covid-19 inpatients and deaths expected to increase during Thailand’s rainy season

    The number of Covid-19 inpatients in Thailand increased to 1,811 in the last week of April, up from 1,088 in the previous week. Meanwhile, related deaths doubled from 5 to 10 over the same period, as reported by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). These figures saw a rise two weeks after the Songkran festival in mid-April and are anticipated…

  • Events“DRUMCODE X BLUE TREE SONGKRAN”: an electrifying 2-day techno festival in Thailand

    “DRUMCODE X BLUE TREE SONGKRAN”: an electrifying 2-day techno festival in Thailand

    Blue Tree Phuket teamed up with “DRUMCODE” to organise the first-ever “DRUMCODE X BLUE TREE SONGKRAN” techno music festival in Thailand, creating an explosion of fun celebrating Thai New Year over two full days. The event featured top artists from DRUMCODE, including Alex Stein, Bart Skils, Joris Voorn, Juliet Fox, KÖLSCH, Nakadia, Teenage Mutants, Tom Pooks and Victor Ruiz, along…

  • Covid-19 NewsFestival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran

    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…

  • Crime NewsLadyboy assaults and robs Taiwanese tourist in Bangkok (video)

    Ladyboy assaults and robs Taiwanese tourist in Bangkok (video)

    A Taiwanese tourist thought he lost his wallet during Songkran celebrations on Silom Road in Bangkok last weekend. However, upon inspecting a short video that his friend took, he realised that his wallet was stolen by a ladyboy he was sexually harassed by. In the 13-second-long clip, the Taiwanese tourist is pictured trying to get away from a ladyboy who…

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

    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.…

  • Songkran NewsThe party rages on in Pattaya after Songkran comes to a halt

    The party rages on in Pattaya after Songkran comes to a halt

    Thailand’s notorious nightlife wonderland of Pattaya is still in party mode even though Songkran is over. The city’s three-day afterparty kicked off on Tuesday, with revellers enjoying the water fights and festivities in the sweltering heat. Yesterday, the Wan Lai or Flowing Day celebration took place, with crowds flocking to the beachfront and Wat Chai Mongkol armed with water guns…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand faces rising Covid cases post-Songkran, new Omicron subvariant emerges

    Thailand faces rising Covid cases post-Songkran, new Omicron subvariant emerges

    Health authorities have expressed concern over the increasing number of Covid-19 cases following the Songkran Festival, but they maintain that the situation is manageable. The Department of Medical Sciences (DoMS) has identified 27 instances of a new Omicron subvariant, known as XBB.1.16, with one associated fatality. Virologists predict that this new subvariant will spread during the rainy season. Prime Minister…

  • Crime NewsPolice detain 2 men over RCA Songkran shooting in Bangkok

    Police detain 2 men over RCA Songkran shooting in Bangkok

    UPDATE Two men have been arrested for allegedly committing the shooting at the busy RCA entertainment venue in Bangkok during a Songkran celebration on Sunday. Four people were injured by gunfire and four others were injured trying to flee the scene. Today at 3pm, police escorted the two suspects – 41 year old Natthanon and 19 year old Natthaphon –…

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

    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…

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

    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,…

  • Crime NewsQuackdown: Rubber duck escorted to police station in Thailand

    Quackdown: Rubber duck escorted to police station in Thailand

    An inflatable rubber duck waddled down to the police station in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, during the Songkran holidays after guests at a pool villa were accused of fowl play. In a TikTok clip filmed on Saturday morning, the displeased customers carry the duck down to Ladya Police Station, explaining… “Today we came to visit a pool villa, don’t ask me…

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

    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…

  • Songkran NewsNew York State celebrates Songkran

    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…

  • Thailand NewsTourist allegedly pickpocketed at Pattaya Songkran splashing event

    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…

  • Thailand NewsPrime minister’s unexpected trip to Khao San Road

    Prime minister’s unexpected trip to Khao San Road

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a surprising appearance at Khao San Road on Friday, taking part in a lively water fight with enthusiastic locals and tourists. Gen. Prayut, the United Thai Nation Party’s prime ministerial candidate, arrived at the well-known location for Songkran festivities on Friday afternoon, accompanied by key party members. Upon arrival, he engaged in a discussion about…

  • Thailand NewsSongkran celebrations turn sour: Over 100 lives lost, 1,000 injured in road accidents

    Songkran celebrations turn sour: Over 100 lives lost, 1,000 injured in road accidents

    According to the Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Boontham Lertsukheekasem, 114 fatalities and 1,064 injuries were recorded due to road accidents nationwide during the Songkran holiday. Between Tuesday and Thursday, there were 1,055 traffic incidents leading to these casualties a report today revealed. Chiang Mai, a province in the north, experienced the most accidents with…

  • Thailand NewsEC justifies Songkran trips to monitor early voting

    EC justifies Songkran trips to monitor early voting

    The Election Commission (EC) in Thailand has come under scrutiny after all six of its members travelled abroad during the Songkran holiday on taxpayer-funded inspection visits. Former election commissioner and current MP candidate for the Seri Ruam Thai Party, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, criticized the move, questioning the purpose and timing of the trips, given that the General Election has not yet…

  • Thailand NewsLimited access to Khao San Road due to overcrowding

    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…

  • World NewsFrom Songkran splashes to handcuffs: Two Hong Kong men arrested for shooting humourless cops with water (video)

    From Songkran splashes to handcuffs: Two Hong Kong men arrested for shooting humourless cops with water (video)

    Millions of people all over Thailand today are celebrating Songkran with water fights but spare a thought for two men in Hong Kong unfortunate enough to encounter some humourless cops while celebrating the Thai New Year. The pair were arrested by the party-pooping officers for disorderly conduct after they fired water guns at them at a Songkran event on Sunday…

  • World NewsThailand – Cambodia border checkpoint overwhelmed ahead of Songkran

    Thailand – Cambodia border checkpoint overwhelmed ahead of Songkran

    The Poipet International Border Checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia is so busy ahead of the Songkran – or the Southeast Asian New Year – that Thai authorities have had to open a second checkpoint nearby to ease congestion. Like Thailand, Cambodia is celebrating the Buddhist New Year this weekend. In Cambodia, the holiday is called “Moha Sangkranta” and will be celebrated…