Tuesday, March 12, 2024
The “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024” has been officially announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This grand event is scheduled to run from April 11 to 15 in Bangkok, taking place along Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and at Sanam Luang.
It aims to showcase Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and tradition through its impressive Songkran parades and celebrations, highlighting Thai soft power.
Culture Minister, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, said “The Ministry of Culture is proud to support the staging of Songkran celebrations in Bangkok, and five other unique locations, namely Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, and Phuket, to celebrate its UNESCO ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ status and to help promote Thai soft power to a global recognition.”
The Ministry of Culture’s Department of Cultural Promotion has named Miss Antonia Porsild, the first runner-up of Miss Universe 2023, as Mahodhara Devi, the deity representing the Nang Songkran festival for 2024. Furthermore, it is introducing a nationwide calendar of Songkran 2024 festivities across various locations. To further promote the festival’s cultural significance, it has created Songkran-themed music in Thai, English, Chinese, and French.
Tourism and Sports Minister, Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, said “The government places festivals at the core of its Thai soft power promotion with an aim to push Songkran to become one of the top 10 global festivals. The ‘Maha Songkran Parade’ with over 20 grand processions featuring more than 1,000 performers that will be marching along the Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue to Sanam Luang, where the rich culture and tradition of Thai soft power will be illustrated will surely create an ever-lasting memory for visitors from all over the world, thus making Songkran a major fixture in the global event calendar.”
TAT Governor, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said “The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 extravaganza will showcase Thai traditions and cultural values to the world. The event will be broadcast globally via CNN, BBC and iQIYI. International celebrities and influencers will be invited to experience Songkran in Thailand and ultimately inspire their fans and followers to embark on a journey to create and share their own “Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End.”
Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Kriang Kantinan, said “The government has instructed authorities to strictly enforce the rules and regulations with measures and guidelines in place to ensure prompt responses to any accidents, crime and threats to the life and property of tourists. We also ask Thais to be a good host and help ensure the good image of Thailand and boost tourist confidence in our safety and security measures.”
The 2024 Maha Songkran World Water Festival is not just a local celebration but an international spectacle set to draw visitors from around the globe.
It positions Thailand as a vibrant cultural hub in the international tourism landscape, offering a unique experience that blends traditional festivities with global appeal.
A key feature of the event is the ‘Maha Songkran Parade’ scheduled for April 11. The parade will start at the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and end at Sanam Luang, showcasing 20 majestic floats and involving over 1,000 participants. This parade will serve as a global showcase, inviting tourists from every corner of the world to witness the splendor of Thai culture and traditions.
The parade will be spearheaded by the Maha Songkran processions, succeeded by the unique Songkran traditions from 16 provinces including Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, which Thailand aims to register as ‘Intellectual Property Festivals’. Additionally, five model provinces – Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Phitsanulok, Songkhla, and Buri Ram; and six other provinces aiming to boost their local Songkran traditions – Ayutthaya, Nakhon Phanom, Lampang, Loei, Sukhothai, and Phuket will participate. Other notable floats will represent ‘Soft Power’, highlighting Thai Fashion, Games, Films, Series, and Festivals, further promoting Thailand’s global cultural influence and attracting international tourists.
Sanam Luang will serve as the central venue for the festival over five days, hosting cultural and musical performances. These include Khon masked and Nora dance dramas, both recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, alongside contemporary music and orchestra performances, catering to the diverse tastes of global visitors.
A special zone will display the Songkran traditions and celebrations characteristic of Thailand’s Northern, Northeastern, Eastern, Central, and Southern regions, complemented by activities, showcases, and DIY workshops on local arts and crafts, offering international tourists a hands-on experience of Thai culture.
The event will also feature Thai soft power through activities like Muay Thai Maha Songkran and the presentation of Thai summer dishes, showcasing Thailand’s cultural exports to an international audience.
Water-based fun will be available in the water zone, featuring a musical dancing fountain, water tunnel, a large wading pool, and a water station, providing a refreshing and enjoyable experience for both domestic and international visitors.
Additional highlights include a drone show and a market selling local products from across Thailand, offering tourists a taste of Thailand’s regional specialties and craftsmanship.
On April 13, the traditional Thai New Year, attendees can participate in merit-making ceremonies and other activities that celebrate Thai traditions, such as the Song Nam Phra and Rot Nam Dam Hua rituals, which involve purifying a Buddha image and showing respect to elders, respectively, enriching the cultural experience for international visitors.
To promote environmental sustainability, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with PTT Global Chemical, will run a GCYOU Turn activity for plastic waste management, encouraging visitors to recycle plastic bottles at designated points in exchange for souvenirs or to partake in upcycling workshops, highlighting Thailand’s commitment to sustainability to a global audience.
The TAT anticipates the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 will generate significant tourism activity from April 12 to 16, expecting an 18% increase in tourism revenue to 24.42 billion Baht compared to the previous year. This includes 8.76 billion Baht from international tourism and 15.66 billion Baht from domestic tourism, with 510,000 international arrivals and 4.29 million domestic trips. The Songkran festivities in Bangkok alone are projected to bring in 3.69 billion Baht in revenue and 653,590 domestic trips, underscoring the event’s role in boosting both global tourism and international cultural exchange.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
