The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), held a press conference to announce the upcoming “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025” and the nationwide “Cooling Off Everywhere with Maha Songkran” events. The event was co-chaired by Mr. Jakkaphon Tangsutthitam, Vice Minister for Tourism and Sports, and Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, at the TAT building’s Thanarat Hall.

Thailand is preparing to celebrate Songkran with grandeur during the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, from April 11–15, 2025, with highlights such as parades and activities taking place at Sanam Luang, Bangkok. The celebration will extend nationwide under the “Cooling Off Everywhere with Maha Songkran” campaign throughout the month. This reinforces Songkran's value as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognized by UNESCO and reassures tourists of travel safety, aiming to elevate Thailand into the ranks of the Top 10 Festival Destinations in the World.

Mr. Jakkaphon Tangsutthitam, Vice Minister for Tourism and Sports

Mr. Jakkaphon stated that Thailand’s Songkran Festival is a source of national pride and a form of Thai soft power, now listed by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. The government is committed to elevating Songkran into a global-scale event and encouraging the spread of tourism from major cities to emerging destinations. As 2025 marks the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year”, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, together with the TAT and the Festival Industry Subcommittee, has prepared the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 at Sanam Luang, aiming to rank Thailand among the world’s top 10 festival countries.

The government also invites Thai citizens to wear local identity-patterned pants during the celebration to showcase regional diversity and reflect Thailand’s rich cultural identity. Furthermore, the Tourist Police Bureau will offer support through the Thailand Tourist Police application, connected to the 1155 emergency hotline with SOS and GPS location-sharing features, along with 24/7 interpretation services in 8 languages for the safety and convenience of both domestic and international tourists.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, added that the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 is a Grand Festivity under the Thailand Summer Festival project, aiming to make the celebration bigger and bolder. This will showcase Songkran’s UNESCO recognition while promoting Thailand’s tourism image and global safety confidence.

Key highlights include the Maha Songkran Parade featuring 8 themed floats:

   1.Stream of Happiness

   2.Colors of the Season

   3.Deliciously Abundant

   4.Clever Thai Elephants and Auspicious Animals

   5.Honor to the Thai Betta Fish

   6.Traditional Performing Arts of Siam

   7.Tuk-Tuk and Molam Parade Float

   8.Youthful Songkran

These floats showcase Thai identity through the ages and into the future. On April 12 at 5:00 PM, the parade will start at the Democracy Monument, pass along Ratchadamnoen Avenue, and end at Sanam Luang. On April 13, the parade will circle Sanam Luang and remain on display until April 15.

Additional activities at Sanam Luang (April 11–15) include: 

     - Five regional Songkran identity zones

     - “Charming Thailand” featuring 5 Must-Do in Thailand

     - Thai temple fair zone with haunted houses, outdoor cinemas, Ferris wheels, and sand pagoda building

     - Buddhist water-pouring rituals and blessings for the elderly

     - Water play zone with a music-synced fountain, refill stations, giant water tanks, and EDM performances from top DJs like DJ Bubblepaint, DJ Leonie, DJ Jeffy, DJ B-Bass, DJ Jay Cardi

     - Over 100 booths with food, local products, and regional highlights

     - Main stage with cultural and contemporary performances from famous Thai artists, including:

               - Polycat, Joey Boy, Zeal, Jeff Satur, The Toys, 4EVE, Paper Planes, Paradox, Tilly Birds, Musketeers, Ink Waruntorn, Ja Nongpanee, Lamyai Haitongkham, Lazyloxy, Taa Woo, Kratae Rsiam, Slapkiss, YourMood, Carabao, Bodyslam, and more.

TAT also maintains its sustainable tourism commitment through:

   - GCYOU-turn waste management, recycling and upcycling drink bottles

   - Service Design initiatives including a web application for Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, featuring event maps, zones, schedules, and nationwide Songkran information.

Tourists can also explore local Songkran identities throughout Thailand in the "Cooling Off Everywhere with Maha Songkran" campaign, supported by public-private collaboration with regional events including:

   - Chiang Mai (April 7–16): Pii Mai Mueang Festival

   - Lampang (April 8–14): Salung Luang and Giant Drum Festival

   - Khon Kaen (April 8–15): Isan Songkran, Dok Khun-Siang Khaen Festival on Khao Niew Road

   - Nong Khai (April 12–15): Mekong Culture Songkran

   - Nong Khai (April 12–19): Songkran with Pha Khao Ma and Somma Luang Pho Phra Sai at Wat Pho Chai

   - Nakhon Si Thammarat (April 12–14): Nang Dan Procession at Sri Thamma So Khorat Park

   - Ayutthaya (April 13–15): Elephant Songkran on Sri Sanphet Road

Plus private-sector music festivals such as:

   - ICONSIAM’s "Chao Phraya Miracle Songkran 2025" 

   - SIAM Songkran Music Festival

   - S2O Songkran Music Festival

   - GCircuit Songkran 2025

TAT expects Songkran travel between April 12–16, 2025, to generate more than 26.5 billion baht, an 8% increase year-on-year. Foreign tourist arrivals are expected at around 476,000 (up 3%), generating 7.324 billion baht, while domestic travel will reach 4.418 million trips, bringing in about 19.24 billion baht.

 

Source:

TATNewsThai

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