Thai New Year

  • Thailand News

    EXAT officer under fire for offensive new year Facebook post

    The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) punished an officer for insulting drivers who use expressways for free during the new year holiday by calling them “dogs.” The Facebook post of the officer, whose identity was not revealed, went viral on Thai social media on December 31. In the post, the female officer included a picture of a new year party…

  • Thailand News

    Party on: Health Ministry debunks new year cancellation over XBC Covid variant scare as fake news

    The Ministry of Public Health dismissed the cancellation of new year celebrations in Thailand due to the purported spread of a new Covid-19 variant, XBC, as fake news. No unusual outbreaks or dangerous variants have been reported. A Thai Facebook user recently reported that the government was planning to cancel all new year holiday events due to the spread of…

  • Crime News

    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…

  • Thailand News

    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 News

    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…

  • Songkran News

    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…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand prepares for 14000+ flights this Songkran

    Thailand will facilitate 14,180 domestic and international flights over the Songkran holidays, from today until April 17, according to the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai). This represents a 66% increase in flights compared with the same period last year. On average, there will be 2,026 flights per day, Aerothai President Nopposit Chakrapitak revealed yesterday. The president said Thailand’s aviation industry…

  • Songkran News

    10-wheelers banned on six roads to reduce Songkran traffic and accidents

    In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent accidents, the use of large vehicles with ten or more wheels has been prohibited on six roads during the Songkran holidays. The national police chief, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, announced his role as head of the traffic police after it was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, reported The Nation. The restricted…

  • Bangkok News

    Governor Chadchart aims for no more than 6 deaths in Bangkok this Songkran

    Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt said that he hopes no more than six people will die during Songkran festivities in the capital of Thailand from April 13-15. Yesterday, Governor Chadchart chaired a meeting with Bangkok Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee to discuss measures to prevent alcohol-fuelled accidents, injuries, and deaths in Bangkok this Thai New Year. The committee will implement measures…

  • Songkran News

    Get soaked in fun, frolics and Thailand’s Songkran Festival

    Filled full of festivals, fun and frolics, April is one of the most celebrated months of the year in Thailand with the traditional Thai New Year of Songkran one of the most culturally important celebrations in the kingdom. The Songkran festival is known worldwide and is celebrated to honour family values, pay respect to seniors, and participate in traditional ceremonies…

  • Thailand video news

    12 Top News Headlines in Thailand by Month Recap 2022

    Click the link for watching: https://youtu.be/CKNbrzV0BQY Let’s revisit 12 News Headlines that dominated Thai media in 2022. Whilst there were pressing issues such as taxi scams and foreigners overstaying their visas, we must not forget other important less talked about issues that happened in Thailand as well. Join Natty Warisa in recapping the top news stories that dominated each month…

  • Thailand video news

    New Year’s weed parties illegal | GMT

    In today’s episode, Alcohol banned from festive gift baskets in Thailand, DTAM to cannabis vendors: New Year’s weed parties illegal, Tourism groups in South Korea sign deals with TAT, AoT app expanding: flight info, taxis, shopping and more, Iconic Bangkok road sees staff shortage as tourists return.

  • Songkran News

    Have a virtual water fight on Facebook or Instagram this Songkran

    Everyone is disappointed that water splashing is banned for yet another year this Songkran (officially). Instead, Meta invites you to have a virtual water fight with your loved ones on Facebook and Instagram using an augmented reality effect called “Songkran Together”. The director of Facebook Thailand says the aim is to encourage Thais to celebrate the New Year with their…

  • Songkran News

    Songkran: Where to celebrate the Thai New Year in Thailand 2022

    Despite the lack of official water fights this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Songkran 2022 in Thailand. Events in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan and other major cities have been organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, or the TAT, in line with Covid-19 prevention measures. So put the water gun down and take…

  • Events

    The Story of Songkran – All about the Thai New Year

    Songkran, or the Thai New Year, is the the largest and most famous of Thailand’s many traditional festivals. Known for huge water fights and water blessing ceremonies, it’s been celebrated for centuries and is rich in culture and tradition. Every year, the celebrations begin on April 13 and normally last three days until the 15th of April. Read: Khao San…

  • Thailand News

    Why is Thai New Years 3 Days Long? | Songkran Special

    Have you ever wondered why Thai New Years celebration is 3 days long? Traditionally, each day of the Songkran festival has a different meaning. What does each day symbolise? Watch this clip to find out more about the Thai new year as Nan dives deep into the meaning and traditions of each day from 13 -15 of April.

  • Tourism News

    Songkran a litmus test for Thailand’s economic recovery, tourism industry revival

    As Thailand’s annual Songkran festival begins this week, all eyes are on the government to see how its strict Covid-prevention measures will affect tourism spending and mitigate new infections, which are expected to spike after the holiday. As the war in Ukraine continues to hike up global oil and food prices, pundits say how Thailand fares during and after the…

  • Songkran News

    Khao San Road businesses cancel Songkran party plans for third year running

    Splash-happy tourists can cross out Bangkok’s Khao San Road from their water bucket list this year, after local business owners officially cancelled their plans to hold and Songkran celebrations in the capital’s tourist hotspot, formerly referred to as a “backpacker haven”. It’s the third consecutive year Khao San area operators have halted their famous water fights, much to the chagrin…

  • Thailand video news

    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…

  • Pattaya News

    No Songkran water fights in Pattaya, mayor confirms

    The mayor of Pattaya has approved the Songkran celebration but has changed the spotlight to traditional and religious activities instead. With fears and concerns about Covid-19, water and foam events, as well as alcohol consumption and celebrations will be prohibited for another year. Masks must be worn at all times, including outdoors. To meet with the “Covid Free Setting” guideline,…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Update | Tourism officials call to end all entry restrictions in Thailand

    Thailand’s tourism officials want an end to all entry restrictions for vaccinated travellers by June 1. That means no quarantine, no Test & Go rules, no Sandbox zones, no Covid-19 tests. A plan to gradually lift restrictions over the next few months, leading up to the removal of all restrictions by June 1, has been drafted by the Tourism and…

  • Songkran News

    Songkran 2022 might be back on in Thailand, but…

    UPDATE A Songkran with water MAY end up being a thing for 2022. This moist bombshell floating around the Thai media this afternoon. But you’ll need a face mask, an ATK tests and only at designated zones. The change of mind surprised everyone at this afternoon’s CCSA daily briefing. According to a post on the Khaosod English Facebook page, it…

  • Songkran News

    Another dry Songkran. No water fights for the Thai New Year

    It’s going to be another dry Songkran. For the third time, water fights have been banned for the Thai New Year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The holiday, which is April 13 to 15 this year, is celebrated with massive water fights with crowds shooting water guns, spraying water hoses, and dumping buckets of water on each other. Everyone gets…

  • Songkran News

    CCSA to discuss Songkran splashing rules today

    To splash or not the splash? That’s one of the questions Thai government officials will be mulling today as they consider how to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 infections during next month’s Songkran festivities. This year Thailand will take a 5-day break from April 13 to 1 in celebration of Songkran, or the Thai New Year, for the first time…

  • Songkran News

    Health Ministry says to keep traditional Songkran activities dry

    Thai officials have yet to set regulations on the massive water celebrations for Songkran, the Thai New Year, but the Public Health Ministry is recommending dry activities for the traditional ceremonies. To prevent the spread of Covid-19, the ministry is advising that Thais avoid the traditional act known as “rod nam dam hua,” where water is poured on the hands…

  • Songkran News

    Government says Songkran can go ahead, CCSA to decide what that looks like

    The Thai government says Covid-19 won’t stop this year’s Songkran celebrations, but insists that disease prevention measures will need to be followed. What that means for the mass water fights that were such a huge part of the celebrations pre-pandemic remains unclear for now. According to a Bangkok Post report, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has given the green light for interprovincial…

  • Thailand video news

    Sedatives and painkillers, Thai new year – 3 million USD on 2 people | Thaiger Bites | Ep. 47

    Jay and Tim go thought all your comments from Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Thai talk forum on our website and try to make some sense.

  • Thailand video news

    No fear for Delta Plus variant, “Bocellisa”, Cambodia re-opening | Good Morning Thailand | Ep. 118

    In todays episode Jay and Tim talk about the Thai PM pressing ASEAN countries to re-open in the ASEAN summit. The dynamic duo Andrea Bocelli and Lisa Black Pink will perform in Phuket for new year eve’s celebrations. Cambodia is re-opening certain parts of the country as well as a look into the cave divers story at the Tham luang…

  • Thailand video news

    Avoiding Thai Farang price, Movie trivia, Thai new year special | Thaiger Bites | Ep. 40

    Jay and Tim go through viewer comments from our Youtube shows, Facebook, Instagram and the Thaiger talk forum as the Thaiger bites back once again.

  • Things To Do

    Everything you need to know about Songkran

    Thailand celebrates its New Year every April with the world’s wettest festival, Songkran. It is the world’s largest water festival, when everyone, including children, adults, friends, and strangers, gathers to get soaked. Although it’s widely known as the ‘Water Festival’ among foreigners, Songkran is actually deeply rooted in traditions. In fact, it’s one of the most important events in the…

  • Thailand News

    Songkran road deaths, injuries cut in half thanks to Covid surge

    Songkran New Year celebrations have seen road deaths and injuries cut in half thanks to surge of Covid infections just before the start of the annual holiday that essentially cancelled major gatherings. The Road Safety Director Centre says 192 people have been killed and 1,818 injured so far during the Songkran holiday, with 37 dying on Wednesday alone. But those…

  • Thailand News

    Songkran holiday eerily quiet after Covid mutes celebrations

    Thailand rang in another Lunar New Year, or Songkran, without its normal festivities, highlighting the impact that the Covid pandemic has had on the world. For the 2nd year, the biggest Thai holiday was subdued without water-splashing, parties, and concerts. Instead, the predominantly Buddhist nation turned to its more muted, traditional activities of making merit to observe the 3 day…

  • Songkran News

    Sawasdee pi mai – The four days of Songkran 2021

    Despite the annual celebrations, water fights and parties being mostly side-lined this year, Songkran goes on for 2021, albeit in a much-subdued form. Many Thais have decided not to head home, but others have already headed out of the city centres to their homes to be with their families. They are being confronted with new restrictions and delays as they…

  • Songkran News

    Songkran travel okay to visit elderly relatives, not to party – Health Minister

    Despite rising Covid-19 infections in Bangkok and other provinces, Thailand’s Public Health Minister says people travelling from the affected provinces during the Songkran holiday will not have to quarantine. “Although provinces have been divided into zones, designated by colours according to the infection rates, none will be locked down. People can still travel to other provinces without having to go…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism operators pinning hopes on Songkran holiday

    Thai hotels and airlines are pinning their hopes on Songkran to revive a domestic tourism sector that has been dormant since the resurgence of Covid-19 late last year. According to a Bangkok Post report, Centara Hotels and Resorts are reporting an uptick in advance bookings for the holiday period. Chief exec Thirayuth Chirathivat says while forward bookings don’t come close…

  • Events

    Thai government ditches water fights for Songkran – back to basics for 2021

    So we’re going to have Songkran this year but not as we know it. The CCSA and Public Health Ministry have formally taken the ‘song’ out of Songkran for 2021. They have determined that there won’t be any foam parties, no activities where you get together with all your friends for Songkran activities and no ‘water splashing’, a polite way…

  • Songkran News

    No splashing at Songkran, traditional activities must follow disease control measures – CCSA

    No splashing or water gun fights will be allowed during next month’s Songkran festivities celebrating the Thai New Year. In the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration meeting today chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, officials decided to prohibit water splashing and foam parties as well as other close contact activities like the powdering of faces with chalk. They say the restriction’s…