Songkran 2015 festivities set to be a nationwide celebration of Thainess

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa (middle) 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) 2015 Discover Thainess campaign has inspired this year’s Songkran festivities with the “Grand Songkran Splendours’ set to held in popular destinations throughout the country.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Acting Governor of TAT and Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas) said, “Songkran is one of Thailand’s most important festivals, and families celebrate with centuries-old traditions. Thai people return to their family homes for three to five days of making merit and splashing water that evokes ceremonies in which sins are washed away with scented water.”

As many as 2,629,500 million tourists are expected to celebrate Songkran in Thailand this year.

A total of 470,000 foreign tourists are projected to come to the kingdom to ‘Discover Thainess’ and to celebrate Songkran in Thailand from 11-15 April. This will represent a 39 per cent growth over the same period last year. TAT estimates the revenue to increase by 52 per cent to 7.5 billion Baht from an average trip expenditure of 15,960 Baht per person (up 10 per cent).

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa (right)

On the domestic front, TAT expects the Thai people to make a total of 2,159,500 domestic trips (up eight per cent) during 11-15 April 2015, and help boost the country’s economy by 7.01 billion Baht (up 6 per cent).

Revellers are invited to experience unique aspects of the Thai New Year by taking part in the Grand Songkran Splendours 2015 at important sites around Thailand.

Bangkok (12-15 April)

Songkran Wisutkasat: The heart of Bangkok’s celebrations since 1935, and home of the original Miss Songkran contest.
Songkran Bang Lamphu: Meet locals in a merit-making and cultural performance on Phra Athit Road and join the procession to Suan Santi Chaiprakarn.
Songkran Bangkok: Tour old Bangkok and see the Phra Buddha Sihing image taken from the National Museum to Sanam Luang to be honoured and enjoy centuries-old ceremonies.

Central, Eastern & Western Regions

Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan (17-19 April): Join the colourful Thai/Mon parade with floral wagons, traditional dress and unique traditions.
Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi (13-18 April): See the “Bridge of Hope” in which monks walk on people’s backs after a Mon purification ceremony.
Lai Day Sand Pagoda Ceremony Bang Saen, Chon Buri (16-17 April): Join the tradition of building sand pagodas.
Ayutthaya (13-15 April): Tour the UNESCO Heritage Site and enjoy splashing water.
Suphan Buri (13-14 April): Enjoy extravagant parades, parties and ceremonies.

Traditional attire of Thai/Mon people

Northern Region

Prapeni Pi Mai Mueang, Chiang Mai (12-16 April): Join the parade and pour water on the Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image and make merit.
Song Nam Oi Tan in Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai (8-12 April): Celebrate the New Year with processions round the famous sights of the ancient capital.

Northeastern Region

Thai-Lao New Year, Nakhon Phanom (12-15 April): Celebrate traditions of seven local tribes with games and dances.
Thailand-Laos Friendship Songkran, Nong Khai (6-18 April): Purify the Luangpho Phra Sai image, Nong Khai’s spiritual icon.

Southern Region

Songkran Nang Dan Parade, Nakhon Si Thammarat (11-15 April): The Nang Dan ceremony shows Hinduism’s influence on Songkran traditions.

TAT has also helped to arrange a series of “Joyous Songkran Splendours” in the following locations.”

• Bangkok (13-15 April): Khao San Road and Silom Road.
• Chiang Mai (12-16 April): The City Moat.
• Chon Buri (11-19 April): Ko Si Chang, Bang Phra Beach; Sattahip; Pattaya (North, Central and South Beaches); Lan Bodhi Park Na Kluea; and Sri Racha Public Park.
• Khon Kaen (5-15 April): Khao Nieo Road.
• Phuket (11-17 April): Patong Beach.
• Songkhla (11-15 April): Hat Yai Midnight Songkran at Nipat Uthit 3 Road, Sanehanusorn Road and Wat Mahathat.
• Surat Thani (12-14 April): Songkran Ko Samui (Chaweng Beach).