The "Water Festival 2023: Delightful Songkran" will be held in six provinces and four regions from April 13-16. The aim of the event is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Thailand, inviting Thai and foreigners to experience the charm of cultural heritage and local identity.
• In the central region, the Water Festival spots are along the Chao Praya River. Free shuttle boats will be available from 8:30am-5pm, transporting visitors to 11 different locations: Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, Wat Kalayanamitr Woramahawihan, Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan, Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram, Asiatique The Riverfront, Maharaj Pier, The Lhong 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination, Yaowarat Pier, Sukhothai at Iconsiam Pier and Guan Yu Shrine in the Khlong Sarn area. The highlights include five major royal temples along the river, a tunnel of holy water and a bathing ceremony of Buddha images, with activities at each spot to welcome the Thai New Year. Other activities include shopping at antique markets and watching entertainment programmes.
• In the North, the hotspot will be at the Ancient Chiang Mai House on Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai. Visitors will be able to participate in bathing Buddha images from nine temples, workshops on Lanna crafts, a local Lanna food fair, as well as a marketplace selling locally-made products by social enterprise Pracharath Rak Samakkee. A Northern-style cooking competition and Lanna dialect speaking competition will be hosted where visitors can cheer for the young contestants.
• The Water Festival in Isan will be held in Udon Thani's Sa Kaeo Temple and Ban Chiang cultural heritage village. Thai Phuan traditions will be organised by local communities, including Buddha-image bathing and water-pouring ceremonies to ask for blessings from elders.
• In the South, the Water Festival will take place in Phuket at Mai Khao Temple, Phuket Old Town, and an area in front of the Charter Market (Phuket Old City). Tourists can offer alms to monks at Mai Khao Temple on April 13 and shop for products at the Charter Market.
Meanwhile, in Lamphun, Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahavihan will host a procession of sacred relics, as well as a youth music festival where a choral performance by the students of Jakra Kham Khana Korn School will entertain tourists at various landmarks around Lamphun city centre. Visitors can also visit Inthayongyot Road for local souvenirs.
• In Khon Kaen, tourists can participate in the "Isan Songkran Festival" by offering alms to monks, bathing Buddha images, building sand pagodas and joining ceremonies to ward off bad luck. A "Lum Muan" traditional dance will be held so visitors can admire the culture of Ban Sawathi.
There are other activities in addition to the ones listed:
• "Bring Back Recycle Project" provides environmental management tips.
• "Yaowachon Chaoban Suebsarn Watthanadham" or "Young Hosts Preserving Culture") allows local youth to share their way of life with Thai and foreign tourists.
• Bike for Thai Heritage Tour using is electric bicycles along the Chao Phraya River.
• The "RPST Photo Walk — Photo Talk, Episode: Kadeechin-Phra Nakhon" is aimed at food lovers, so they can enjoy local delicacies, while Teeranun Chuangpichit, Tul Hirunyalawan, Chulawit Santipong, and Wannapong Surarochprajak will provide historical knowledge.
The "8th Water Festival 2023" will be held from April 13-16. Visit waterfestivalthailand.com or fb.com/WaterFestivalThailand.