Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, is preparing for the 2025 Songkran World Water Festival, the flagship event of the Thai New Year celebrations and the heart of Thailand's exciting Tourism & Sports Year 2025 and the grand summer festival season.
Held from April 11th to 15th at the Royal Field in Bangkok, the festival marks a bold step for Thailand towards becoming one of the world's top ten festival destinations. It builds upon the international recognition of "Thailand Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year festival" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and presents a brand-new experience designed to attract both local and global audiences.
A highlight of this year's celebrations is the Songkran Grand Parade, featuring eight themed parades reflecting Thailand's cultural characteristics, creativity, and soft power. The parade will begin at 5 pm on April 12th, proceeding from the Democracy Monument along Ratchadhanam Boulevard to the Royal Field. The second parade will take place on April 13th around the Royal Field, followed by a static display of decorated floats until April 15th.
In addition to the parade, Royal Field Square will present a multi-zone festival experience, including:
Five Songkran zones showcasing unique traditions from across Thailand
A "5 Things You Must Do in Thailand" experience highlighting key cultural events
A Thai temple fair zone featuring a haunted house, an open-air cinema, a Ferris wheel, and sand tower architecture
Traditional bathing Buddha ceremonies and water-splashing rituals for elders
A water play area with giant water buckets, synchronized fountain shows, water stations (providing hydration for Songkran attendees), and EDM performances by top DJs
Over 100 stalls offering food, handicrafts, and local specialties from the five regions
Festival attendees can also expect nighttime performances on the main stage, including traditional and contemporary shows, as well as live concerts by some of Thailand's most popular artists, such as Bodyslam, Polycat, Jeff Satur, The Toys, 4EVE, Joey Boy, Paradox, Ink Waruntorn, and Carabao.
Ms. Thapani Kiaphaepur, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated, “The 2025 Songkran World Water Festival embodies the Thai spirit – joy, passion, and creativity. This year’s event is full of novelty and excitement, aiming to spark curiosity while upholding our traditions and ensuring a safe and memorable experience for everyone.”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is also enhancing the visitor experience through the 2025 Songkran World Water Festival web application, which provides real-time updates, regional maps, and performance schedules. To fulfill its commitment to sustainable tourism, the event will launch the “GCYOU-TURN” program, a plastic recycling and reuse initiative that will help manage festival waste responsibly.
For safety and convenience, the Tourist Police will provide 24/7 support in eight languages and will also launch a Thai Tourist Police mobile application that integrates an SOS button, GPS location sharing, and direct links to national emergency services.
Nationwide, the "Yen Tua La Maha Songkran" series of celebrations will extend to communities throughout Thailand, running throughout April in provinces including Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Khai, and Ayutthaya. These regional festivals showcase local cultural heritage while boosting tourism in hidden cities. In addition, private sector events, including ICONSIAM's Maha Songkran, the S2O Songkran Music Festival, and GCircuit Songkran 2025, will enhance the festive atmosphere in Bangkok and beyond. For a complete list of events, please visit: Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand projects tourism revenue exceeding 26.5 billion baht during the 2025 Songkran Festival (April 12-16), an 8% increase year-on-year. This includes 476,000 international tourists, generating 7.324 billion baht in revenue, and over 4.4 million domestic tourists, generating 19.24 billion baht in revenue.
