BANGKOK, Thailand – Massive crowds of locals and international tourists packed major hubs across Thailand on Monday, as Songkran New Year celebrations reached a fever pitch with high-energy water fights and traditional cultural displays.
The festivities grew more intense after dark in Bangkok’s Silom district, where revellers far exceeded daytime numbers. Crowds dressed in elaborate costumes, ranging from high-fashion “diva” looks to humorous character cosplays, filled the streets with water guns and accessories.
The celebration also featured creative community stalls, including a face-painting booth run by a makeup school. Staff members promoted Thai soft power by pairing traditional sabai shawls with denim while painting floral patterns and national flags on tourists.
Meanwhile, the demand for ice-cold water refills surged, becoming a lucrative business as revellers sought the coldest water possible to combat the sweltering heat. No one was spared from the soaking, as journalists, photographers, and security officials became frequent “sitting ducks” for water guns. Even Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpan, the Royal Thai Police spokesperson, was seen drenched by non-stop water fire, a sight unique to the Songkran season.
Similar energy was felt at Chiang Mai’s Tha Phae Gate and along the city moat, where local youth and international tourists gathered to splash water amidst a backdrop of vendors selling food and water gear.
Earlier in the day, Chiang Mai celebrated its rich cultural heritage with the official opening of ‘Pi Mai Muang,’ the traditional Lanna New Year.” A highlight of the event was the traditional beauty pageant, featuring women cycling while gracefully balancing traditional umbrellas. Dressed in exquisite local attire, the women showcased the refined culture and heritage of the Lanna people, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
This was followed by a sacred afternoon procession where the Phra Phuttha Sihing, the city’s most revered Buddha image from Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, was paraded for the public. Thousands of devotees gathered to sprinkle water on the statue, a long-standing tradition believed to bring peace and ward off misfortune for the year ahead.
Similar scenes played out in the south, notably in Songkhla’s Hat Yai Municipality, where celebrations followed the rhythm of the sun. While extreme daytime temperatures kept residents indoors, the city erupted in every corner as evening approached. Locals have gathered in groups with large water barrels lined up along the roadsides to splash passing vehicles.
International tourists, particularly from Malaysia, congregated in the city center where the municipality provided designated water stations. Many tourists opted to rent pickup trucks equipped with water tanks to join the city-wide “water war.” (TNA)
