Thailand’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 Set to Make Global Splash

Thailand's Maha Songkran 2025

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), part of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, is preparing for the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025. This event is the highlight of Thailand’s New Year celebrations and a central feature of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, as well as the Grand Festivity campaign for the Thailand Summer Festivals.

Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports, said: “Songkran is more than a celebration — it’s a proud symbol of Thai identity and soft power. With this year’s festival, we aim to share our cultural richness with the world while encouraging travellers to explore every corner of Thailand, from major cities to hidden gems.”

Scheduled from 11 to 15 April at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, the festival represents a significant move to establish Thailand among the top 10 global festival destinations. It leverages the international acclaim of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year festival recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and offers a reimagined experience aimed at enchanting both local and international audiences.

A standout feature of this year’s celebration is the Maha Songkran Parade, featuring eight themed processions that reflect Thailand’s cultural identity, creativity, and soft power. On 12 April at 17.00 Hrs., the parade will move from Democracy Monument along Ratchadamnoen Avenue to Sanam Luang. On 13 April, a second parade will circle Sanam Luang, followed by static displays of the decorated floats at the venue through 15 April.

Beyond the parades, Sanam Luang will come alive with a multi-zone festival experience, including:

• Five regional Songkran zones showcasing distinct traditions from across Thailand
• “5 Must Do in Thailand” experiences highlighting key cultural activities
• A Thai temple fair zone featuring a haunted house, open-air cinema, Ferris wheel, and sand pagoda building
• Traditional bathing of the Buddha image and water-pouring rituals for elders
• A water play zone with a giant spill bucket, music-synchronised fountain shows, a water station (for a refill for those playing Songkran), and EDM sets by top DJs
• Over 100 booths offering food, crafts, and regional specialities from all five regions

Festivalgoers can also look forward to nightly performances on the main stage, including traditional shows, contemporary acts, and live concerts from some of Thailand’s most popular artists, such as Bodyslam, Polycat, Jeff Satur, The Toys, 4EVE, Joey Boy, Paradox, Ink Waruntorn, and Carabao, among many others.

TAT is enhancing visitor experience for the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 through a web app that provides real-time updates, zone maps, and performance schedules. Dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism, this event will feature “GCYOU-TURN,” an initiative focused on plastic recycling and upcycling aimed at effectively managing festival waste.

To prioritize safety and convenience, the Tourist Police Bureau offers round-the-clock assistance in eight languages. Moreover, the Thailand Tourist Police mobile app includes an SOS button, GPS location sharing, and direct access to national emergency services.

Throughout Thailand, the “Yen Tua La Maha Songkran” series aims to extend the celebrations to diverse communities, hosting events in April across provinces like Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Khai, and Ayutthaya, among others. These local festivals celebrate regional culture while promoting tourism in lesser-known destinations. Furthermore, festivities organized by the private sector, such as ICONSIAM’s Maha Songkran, S2O Songkran Music Festival, and GCircuit Songkran 2025, will contribute to the festive atmosphere in Bangkok and nearby regions. For a complete list of events, visit: Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025.

The TAT estimates that during Songkran 2025, which runs from April 12 to 16, tourism revenue will exceed 26.5 billion Baht, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the previous year. This projection anticipates 476,000 international visitors, contributing 7.324 billion Baht, along with over 4.4 million domestic trips that will generate 19.24 billion Baht.