Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially announced two flagship events to celebrate the 2026 Thai New Year (Songkran) in the heart of Bangkok: From April 11th to 15th, the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2026” will be held at Benchakitti Park; and from April 11th to 30th, the “Saneh Art by Songkran Festival 2026” will be held concurrently at Lumphini Park. These two events will deeply highlight the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage value of the Thai Songkran Festival, further solidifying its status as a top global festival IP.
The press conference for this event was jointly hosted by Mr. Nat Krutasut, Deputy Director of Tourism Products and Operations at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Major General Danu Kramsum, Chief of the First Division of the Tourist Police. Renowned Thai artists and celebrities from various sectors were invited to attend and promote the event.
Mr. Nat Krutasut, Deputy Director of Tourism Products and Operations at the TAT, stated, “These two grand events are a vivid example of the TAT’s core policy of ‘Value Over Quantity’ – we are committed to upgrading traditional festivals into high-quality experiences with far-reaching impact, driving high-quality tourism revenue and creating lasting value for the Thai community. By integrating traditional customs, contemporary creativity, and international exchange, we will continue to enhance the global appeal of Songkran; at the same time, adhering to the communication concept of ‘Healing is the New Luxury,’ we will promote Thailand as a year-round travel destination centered on in-depth experiences.”
As the core event, the “World Songkran 2026,” themed “Tradition and Modernity in Harmony,” comprehensively showcases the cultural essence and contemporary vitality of Songkran. The event will feature a grand opening ceremony, a themed water-splashing parade, ethnic cultural performances, a contemporary art exhibition, and a large-scale drone light show. Five regional exhibition areas showcasing Thai culture will be specially set up, featuring traditional crafts, interactive experiences, temple market atmosphere, sand pagoda construction, and Buddha statue bathing ceremonies. Family-friendly and water-based entertainment areas will also be available to cater to diverse needs.
The concurrently held "2026 Songkran Art Festival" uses art as a bridge to unlock contemporary expressions of the festival. During the event, six large-scale 3D sculptures created by top Thai artists will be on display at Lumpinee Park. From April 11th to 15th, the festival will also include art lectures, a creative market, craft workshops, traditional Thai games, and a limited-edition prize-winning sign-in challenge, creating a profound collision between traditional festivals and modern art.
In addition to the main venue in Bangkok, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will fully support and promote Songkran (Thai New Year) activities across five major regions of the country, presenting a differentiated Thai New Year experience: traditional folk celebrations will be held in Chiang Rai, Tak, and Chiang Mai provinces in the north; immersive festival activities will take place in landmark riverside locations in Bangkok and Ayutthaya province in the central region; and unique celebrations will be offered in Samut Prakan and Chonburi provinces in the east, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen provinces in the northeast, and popular destinations such as Surat Thani (Koh Samui) and Phuket in the south. For a complete schedule of events in Bangkok and other regions across the country, please refer to the TAT's 2026 Songkran Festival announcement and accompanying national information map.
Regarding economic projections, the TAT expects total national tourism revenue to reach 30.35 billion baht during the event period from April 11 to 15, representing a 6% year-on-year increase. Of these, international tourists are expected to visit 500,000 times, up 4% year-on-year, contributing 8.1 billion baht in tourism revenue, up 2% year-on-year; domestic tourists are expected to visit 5.963 million times, up 7% year-on-year, contributing 22.25 billion baht in tourism revenue, up 8% year-on-year. The domestic market will be the core driver of tourism growth during this festival.
