To honour the initiation of Songran into Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December last year, many places are hosting events and parties to make a huge splash on the world stage.
Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024
From April 11-15 along Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and at Sanam Luang, there will be the Maha Songkran Parade, featuring 20 grand processions and more than 1,000 performers.
The parade will be followed by distinctive Songkran traditions of 16 places: Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Si Thammarat whose unique traditions Thailand is preparing to enlist as “Intellectual Property Festivals”; Nong Khai, Phitsanulok, Songkhla, Buri Ram, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Phanom, Lampang, Loei, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai and Phuket. Other grand processions include “Soft Power”, which features fashion, games, films and series, and festivals.
Throughout the five days, Sanam Luang will be the main location for the festival with cultural and musical performances, including Khon masked drama and Nora dance dram, as well as contemporary and orchestra performances. Songkran traditions and festivities unique to the northern, northeastern, eastern, central and southern regions of Thailand will be on display at a dedicated zone. There are also DIY workshops of local arts and handicrafts from the five regions, including Muay Thai Maha Songkran and Thai summer dishes on offer.
Splash activities will be at the water zone with musical dancing fountain, water tunnel, gigantic wading pool and water station. Other activities include a drone show and a fair selling local products from across the country.
On April 13, there will be a merit-making ceremony, including the Song Nam Phra ritual of purifying a Buddha image with scented water and the Rot Nam Dam Hua ritual, where young people will wash the feet or hands of elders with scented water.
In partnership with PTT Global Chemical, the event will be sustainable and visitors are encouraged to discard waste plastic bottles at any of the 20 “You Turn Drop Points” for a souvenir or join in DIY upcycling activities such as turning plastic bottle caps into a keychain, bracelet, necklace or bottle opener, or buy upcycling products such as floral printed shirts made of plastic waste.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior and the Tourism Authority of Thailand-sponsored event will also host similar events in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri and Phuket, to celebrate its Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage status.
The Department of Cultural Promotion has appointed Antonia Porsild, Miss Universe 2023 first runner-up, as Mahodhara Devi, the Nang Songkran goddess of 2024. It is also launching a calendar of Songkran 2024 celebrations in different locations nationwide. In addition, it has composed the Songkran songs in Thai, English, Chinese and French to enhance the awareness of the festival’s cultural heritage.
Iconsiam
The shopping centre on the Chao Phraya River, has collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand, The Government Public Relations Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand and various private sectors to host the "The Iconic Songkran Festival 2024" into a world-class festival. Under the concept of "Thaiconic Songkran Celebration: Joyful Songkran Festival, Continuing The Legacy Of World Heritage" honours Thai identity by blending traditional Thai recreational activities with contemporary cultural entertainment.
Hosted from April 10-24, the event will feature 12 days of various activities.
• Songkran Mahothorndevi Parade: A seven-day parade along the Chao Phraya River from April 10-16, showcasing Thai cultural richness, featuring seven actresses and artists, including Aff Taksaorn, Pie Rinrada, Becky Rebecca, Bella Ranee, Mai Davika and Diana Flipo, as well as internationally renowned Thai artist Minnie, a member of South Korean girl group (G) I-DLE, to be represented as Miss Songkran 2024.
• Bathing of the Buddha Sihing: A replica of the Phra Buddha Sihing from Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan in Chiang Mai will be placed at Exit Gate 1 on the ground floor, Iconluxe Zone. Participate in a water-pouring ceremony to ask for blessings and purification, which is a traditional ritual believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
• Songkran Water Splashing: Enjoy water splashing festivities at Water Splash Landmark at River Park from April 10-16. There will also be mini-concerts performed by Nont Tanont, Mean, Proxie, 4Eve, Atlas, Bis, LYKN and other cultural performances from April 10-21.
Iconsiam x NaRaYa x Collector Project: In an initiative to encourage Thai people to wear the “floral shirts” during the Songkran celebration, the shopping centre has teamed up with NaRaYa and Collector Project, led by the artist Ek Thongprasert, to create a uniquely floral shirt inspired by the patterns crafted by Thai artisans, which grace the pagodas and the ordination hall of Wat Pho. Ek has transformed these into a contemporary pop art style on shirts under the design “Prosperity In Bloom”. This collaboration celebrates the new beginnings and unparalleled elegance of joy for the New Year.
• Summer Promotion: The "Thaiconic Songkran Celebration" campaign, featuring promotions and prizes between April 10 to May 5. Onesiam members can make product and service purchases worth B4,000 within Iconsiam and Siam Takashimaya, from April 1-21 to receive a floral shirt from the Iconsiam x Naraya x Collector Project, valued at B990. Alternatively, shoppers can also redeem the shirt for B400 baht when purchasing B2,000 worth of products. From April 10-16, spend a total of B30,000 baht on products within Iconsiam and receive a gift voucher worth B2,000 from participating stores. Visit the shopping centre’s website of FB page.
Shangay-La World of Fantasy Songkran 2024
Asia's largest LGBTQ+ dance festival features four days of excitement and six parties. GCircuit's "Shangay-la World of Fantasy Songkran 2024" will be held from April 12-15 at Emsphere. The first night embraces the Anime Planet theme, the second night unveils a Mega Tropicana vs Ever After theme, the third night explores a Tropicana vs House Of Dragon theme, and the grand finale presents a Medieval Gods theme. This year’s event is more comprehensive than ever, boasting a spectacular production inclusive of lights, colours, sounds, effects and lasers.
Songkran Bazaar Music Festival 2024
From April 11-15, The Bazaar Ratchadapisek will host the “Songkran Bazaar Music Festival 2024" at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar activity area. Highlights include a bathing ceremony of Buddha images from 77 provinces, a water pouring ceremony water on the heads of elders, mixed cultural performance from four regions, showcasing Buddhist art culture by Norachet Chusakul, drinks, food trucks and concerts from leading artists.
Siam Paragon Ultrasonic Water Festival 2024
The shopping mall will host the water festival in the Fashion Hall from April 12-16. See the “Lobster Man” by world-renowned artist Philip Colbert, which is on exclusive display in Thailand.Join in the fun with the “World Stage – Music Festival”. There will also be ancient auspicious Buddha statues for veneration.
Siam Center Splashtastic Fun Fest
Until April 30, the shopping centre will host Songkran activities using AI technology to present the Thai New Year in a new way. The decor will be in the theme of “Aquatic Installation”, which will be in 3D and will have an interactive screen.
Siam Discovery: The Summer Exploratorium
Sport & Street Art activities take centrestage until April 16 at Siam Discovery where there will be a field for the “3x3 Basketball Tournament”. More than 100 teams will compete, including superstars, celebrity artists and national team athletes. Complete with light and sound, the Splash Party will have a meet and greet with Korean street artist, Jayflow.
Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024
• From April 12-15, RCA Central Park will be the scene for the Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024. Party in the water to world-class DJs, which also merges food and art. Tiesto is the headliner on April 13, with Zedd on April 15.
• Under the same banner, the S2O Songkran Music Festival will be held at Live Park Rama 9 from April 13-15. Expect a Thai music festival that combines culture and music into one. The headliner on April 14 will be The Chainsmokers, with Armin van Buren and Afrojack on April 15. Touted as the “world’s wettest party”.
Samyan Songkran Festival
• On Chula 5 from April 13-15, the Samyan Songkran Festival will feature floats and fun.
• The “Samyan Water Street - Samyan Songkran Road 2024” festival will also be held from April 13-15 at Banthat Thong. The festival features water-play, free concerts from two stages, free concerts on all three days.
Shangri-La Bangkok
Celebrate the Thai New Year at a poolside party while enjoying magnificent views of the Chao Phraya River. Be entertained by a DJ music, fun water play spots and giant floaties around the pool. Cool off from the heat with refreshing drinks and delight in a special selection of delicious grilled BBQ by our talented chefs. The “Songkran Pool Party” will be hosted on April 13-14. Visit the hotel’s website.
Seen Restaurant & Bar
Dive into a world of sweetness as "Wet In Seen" presents a "Cotton Candy" pool party, at the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. Channel your inner Barbie and sip on cotton candy margaritas while lounging poolside. Dazzle in your favourite bikini and immerse yourself in a sea of pink as you enjoy the vibrant beats spun by DJs and live performers. Enjoy free entry when purchasing any table packages. Visit the hotel's website.
Sirimahannop, Asiatique The Riverfront
Sirimahannop on the Chao Phraya River will set the stage for a fun-filled Songkran Festival with a series of special culinary creations, cocktail buckets, carnival games and live DJ tunes that will light up the night and let couples, friends and families celebrate Thai New Year in style. From April 12-15, the boat is offering four exclusive dishes for Songkran and two new social cocktail buckets. Choose from Ferris Wheel (a blend of Thai whiskey, butterfly pea juice, lemon juice, pandan juice, sugar syrup & lime juice, garnished with pandan roll and lemongrass) and Carousel (gin, roselle syrup, orange cinnamon syrup, lime juice & 7-Up, garnished with cinnamon and roselle) for a wonderfully refreshing Songkran experience. On April 12-13, there will be carnival games and a lucky draw tree, can smash and ring toss. Winners will be rewarded with prizes like food discount vouchers, signature cocktails, mocktails and soft drinks, stuffed animals or Sirimahannop souvenir booklets. Dance the night away, as a live DJ spins upbeat tunes.
Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa
The festivities begin at dawn on April 13, as guests are given the chance to partake in a meaningful alms-giving ceremony with Buddhist monks on Hua Hin Beach. Later, guests are invited to join a celebratory Songkran parade around the resort. Miss Songkran will be carried, along with an image of the Buddha through the resort on palanquins. Splashing water fun and games will be held until mid-day, after which guests can unwind with a Songkran High Tea at the Lobby Lounge. From April 11-15, the tea includes local delights and Thai New Year dishes. As the sun sets on Songkran Day (April 13) enjoy a Family Songkran Buffet Dinner at Amber Kitchen. Savour the flavours of Songkran at Big Fish & Bar from April 13-15 with the Songkran Sharing Platters.
Topgolf Megacity
Prepare to dive into the ultimate Songkran celebration at Topgolf Megacity, from April 13-16. Topgolf Megacity turns up the volume with top DJs spinning the hottest beats all night long. Say goodbye to soggy Songkran parties and hello to the coolest hangout spot in town. In the afternoons, meet the Balloon Man, dive into a world of game activities, cool off with delicious soft-serve ice cream and indulge in mouthwatering menus, making it the perfect destination for a family day out. The menu offers a tempting selection of Thai favourites and international dishes.
Banyan Tree Samui
A kaleidoscope of events and activities will mark the entire week of Thai New Year 2024 at Banyan Tree Samui, a spectacular beachfront on the island of Koh Samui, starting with Floating Market Breakfast Specials on April 12-13 at The Edge restaurant. Then, on the beachfront Sands Restaurant, the hotel will host a Songkran Street Market BBQ on the evening of April 13, which will also feature live music, a traditional Thai bamboo show, and a spectacular fire show. Saffron will offer the “Songkran Royale Thai Set Menu” from April 10-16.
Banyan Tree Krabi
For one night only, on April 13, Banyan Tree Krabi will unveil a Thai New Year feast at Naga Kitchen restaurant. An unlimited buffet and barbecue will be presented with a bewildering selection of culinary delights. Meanwhile a live barbecue station will sizzle up Krabi lobster, Grilled butter squid, King tiger prawns and more. There will also be a carving station with Wagyu prime ribs, Crackling pork belly and Stuffed Italian sausage, an organic salad bar, a dessert corner, a range of local Southern Thai cuisine favourites and a complimentary welcome drink.
Meliá Chiang Mai
Meliá Chiang Mai will host a four-course set dinner called “Songkran Culinary Delight” at Mai Restaurant & Bar on April 13-14. Appetisers include Chilled prawns wrapped in rice paper, ginger candies and garden herbs, tomato consommé and cage-free egg royale. The main course is a choice of Grilled wild pepper spiced kurobuta pork chop with san pathong sticky rice and seasonal vegetables, or Laan na style salmon belly in banana leaf, curry sauce, potato and sweet basil. A warm longan pudding with longan and coconut ice cream will round-off the dinner.
Trisara
Trisara will bring splashes of excitement to Phuket with special Songkran events. On April 13, the "Songkran On The Beach" event will be hosted with a Thai barbecue buffet featuring premium seafood and classic Thai dishes, complemented by live cooking stations. There will also be traditional Thai dance and live music performances. On April 14-15, there will be live Khim music performances at Trisara SaT restaurant.
Capella Bangkok
Make the most of Songkran at Capella Bangkok with its exclusive "Jai Yen Yen" room package. Delight in the rare Thai summertime delicacy of khao chae and cool off with a revitalising cryotherapy facial treatment, designed to provide ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. the package infuses guests with a festive spirit through an overnight stay experience in Riverfront Premier rooms, a khao chae set for two, 60-minute cryotherapy facial treatment for two persons at Auriga Wellness, access to Vitality Pool, a bottle of house Champagne, flexible check-in and check-out (subject to availability), daily sunrise yoga by the river, complimentary ironing of five pieces of clothing per stay, daily complimentary non-alcoholic beverage from the mini bar, a Capella Culturist, access to The Living Room, daily cultural activities and sunset “Cin Cin” hour at Phra Nakhon.
Visama Mae Chan
The Songkran Bliss packages are 4D/3N or 3D/2N and include roundtrip airport transfers from Chiang Rai airport, daily breakfast and dinner, on-call butler service, one signature excursion per stay, 20% off food and drink, one in-house activity per stay for two, and a movie night at the Ambalama fire pit and social gathering area. Until April 30. For Thailand residents, the 3D/2N package in the Visama Akha Tent until Sept 30, includes daily breakfast and dinner on the tent balcony, at the Reu Doo Gaan (Seasons) restaurant or at the Ambalama outdoor fire side area. Also receive 20% off food and drinks, an in-house activity for two, on-call butler service, and a movie night at the Ambalama. Visit the resort's website.
The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket
The festivities commence early in the morning on April 13 with an alms-giving ceremony and a making merit ceremony. A traditional long drum parade will then beat a rhythm from the resort’s lobby to Prego by the Beach, the serene seafront restaurant. The resort’s beach will then set the stage for a full day of vibrant Thai New Year activities, including a water pouring ceremony, a muay Thai dance show, sea boxing, kids’ games and more. A Songkran BBQ Buffet on the beach will be served. On April 15, embark on a culinary journey with a "4 Regions Thai Buffet". From April 13-15, guests can visit the resort’s lobby to respectfully pour water over a statue of Buddha, an act of spiritual cleansing and renewal for the year ahead.
Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort
Discover "Songkran Lanna Festival" with traditional activities and support local businesses while encouraging eco-tourism and sustainability. Experience food offering, long drum parades, Thai dances, Dulcimer performance, and bathing the Buddha. Explore the "Kad Mua" Lanna market showcasing Chiang Rai's products, along with a variety of authentic northern foods freshly prepared at Sukkaseam deck. Take advantage of exclusive room offer “Sustainability Stay for Breakfast”. Enjoy our Deluxe Garden View room with daily breakfast. Until April 30.
