A boy plays with a water gun as he celebrates the Songkran holiday, which marks the Thai New Year, in Bangkok, Thailand, April 12, 2025. - Reuters
BANGKOK: Thailand kicked off the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 with a spectacular parade in Bangkok on Saturday (April 12), marking the start of the traditional Thai New Year celebrations.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with cabinet ministers, attended the opening ceremony of this year’s Songkran, which had been officially inscribed on Unesco's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.
"The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 aims to boost tourism, stimulate the economy, and highlight Thailand’s capability to host world-class events,” she said in a statement on Saturday.
Meanwhile, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalak, said immigration officers and airport authorities have been mobilised nationwide to ensure safety and provide convenience for foreign tourists and the public during the festivities.
He said Thailand is entering its peak tourist season, with a sharp rise in foreign arrivals expected during the Songkran celebration, where daily tourist numbers are projected to reach 150,000.
"The Immigration Bureau has coordinated with other government agencies to carry out operations nationwide to ensure safety, enhance Thailand’s image, and maximise its tourism potential,” he said.
Songkran, traditionally celebrated from April 13 to 15, includes family reunions, paying respects to elders and ancestors, and the washing of sacred Buddha images.
This year, April 16 has been declared an additional public holiday to compensate for April 13 falling on a Sunday.
The festival is widely known for its water-throwing activities, vibrant parades, and colourful displays, which symbolise the start of the Thai New Year in a spirit of joy and renewal. - Bernama
