The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting "Amazing Songkran 2023," taking Thailand's most-loved celebration to the next level with a series of international events in INTERNATIONAL AMAZING SPLASH 2023. Enjoy stunning international Songkran parades from five countries, including the famous Boryeong Mud Festival in Korea, the colorful Holi Festival in India, the fun Setsubun Festival in Japan, and the refreshing Xishuangbanna Songkran Festival in China. Sing and dance to your heart's content at Soi Chulalongkorn 5 (CU Centenary Park) in Bangkok between April 13 and 15, 2023, as Thai and international singers take turns rocking your world.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, "Thailand's Songkran Festival is one of the 5F, which is Thailand's Soft Power." International tourists have long been drawn to F for Festival and Cultural Tourism, which reflect Thainess. "Songkran" has been named one of the three most important Asian festivals in 2021 by the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA). TAT wishes to take Thai festivals from local to global, with Songkran being our first choice. In conjunction with "Amazing Songkran 2023," we will host INTERNATIONAL AMAZING SPLASH 2023, showcasing globally famous festivals from other countries, between April 13 and 15, 2023, at Soi Chulalongkorn 5 (CU Centenary Park).
The event includes four major activities: 1) INTERNATIONAL CARAVAN presenting five festive processions on 13 April 2023. Thailand celebrates the Emerald Buddha seated on an elaborated wheel pavilion and a Songkran Goddess procession. Kimita Devi is this year's Songkran Goddess, dressed in topaz-decorated attire and armlets with a Jongkolnee water lily behind her ear—the devi feasts on Gluay-nam (banana). The goddess sits on a water buffalo, holding a Khanda in her right hand and a lute in her left. "Baifern - Pimchanok" will portray the goddess in the procession. / China woos the crowd with a colorful ethnic Xishuangbanna costume parade from Yunnan province. / India celebrates Holi with a colorful parade and a Bollywood dance. Japan showcases Setsubun with thundering drums, demon masks, bean throwing, stunning Torii, and cherry blossoms. Korea shines with a Boryeon procession that exudes a cheerful sea and seaside festival atmosphere. 2) AMAZING SPLASH OF THE WORLD features international festivals that share the same spirit as Thailand's Songkran to promote cultural exchanges and international ties. Thailand presents "Amazing Songkran 2023," unique Songkran celebrations from five regions of Thailand represented by local products reflecting local wisdom, culture, and connection to Songkran. Visitors can get hands-on experience with various DIY workshops. The Northern region offers activities like Tung (Lanna-flag) making, blessed water (nam som poi or shikakai water) making for the Lanna blessing ceremony/ The Central region represents food and dessert during Songkran celebrations like Khao Chae/The Northeastern region features Phook-siew, a friendship-fostering ritual, and Sia Kraw, a bad luck-dispelling ceremony. / The Eastern region features a one-of-a-kind paddy pagoda, a tradition in Phai Dam village in Chachoengsao's Bang Nam Prieo district where they use paddy instead of sand to construct a sand pagoda during Songkran festival, and a Chonburi province sand pagoda making activity./ The Southern region features the Nang Dan procession, a unique tradition in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Enjoy local wisdom demonstrations, DIY workshops, sand pagoda building, Buddha image bathing ceremonies, and various cultural performances. / South Korea features the "Boryeong Mud Festival," where visitors can experience the famous Boryeong city in South Korea. Have fun dipping in the mud, smearing mud all over your body, and playing games in the middle of the mud pool while South Korean DJs spin upbeat tunes. /India showcases the "Holi Festival," where people throw colored powder at each other to represent friendship. Enjoy music and the Bollywood dance performance. Take advantage of a chance to pay respect to Lord Ganesha./ China proudly presents the "Xishuangbanna Songkran Festival" from Tai Lue people in Yunnan. Allow yourself to be swept away with stunning Tai Lue costumes and their Rain Dance to pray for rain and prosperity./ Japan features the "Setsubun Festival," where people throw beans to demons to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and good health. 3) MAIN STAGE offers SPLASH performances with strings of Thai and international singers and DJs ready to pump up your adrenaline. Meet Joey Boy, Aof Pongsak, LAZ1 band, No One Else band, ZANI, Yes Indeed, DJs from Korea, India, Japan, and China, and various cultural performances. Get wet and wild in WATERBOMB and water tunnel throughout the three-day event. 4) AMAZING FOOD promises over 30 Thai, Korean, Chinese, and Indian food stalls and Food Trucks to satisfy your palate.
TAT also hosts various Songkran celebrations, including Water Festival 2023, which will run from 13 to 16 April 2023 at many locations, namely 1) Bangkok: Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn (The Temple of Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Prayurawongsawas Wara Maha Vihara, Wat Kalyanamitra Wara Maha Vihara, Tha Maharaj, Yodpiman Riverwalk, LHONG 1919, SOOKSIAM at ICONSIAM, Asiatique the Riverfront, and the Guan Yu Shrine Pier; 2) Ancient House Chiangmai; 3) Intayongyos Road, Lamphun; 4) Ban Chiang Cultural Square, Udon Thani; 5) Wat Chai Si, Khon Kaen; and 6) Wat Mai Khao and the Chartered (Bank) Intersection or Old Town of Phuket. TAT has also supported the ICONIC Songkran Festival 2023 at ICONSIAM in Bangkok between 11 and 17 April 2023, the Andamanda Songkran Festival on 14 April 2023 at Andamanda Water Park in Phuket, the GCIRCUIT SONG KRAN THE BIG BANG 2023 at CentralWorld in Bangkok between 13 and 16 April 2023, and the S2O Songkran Music Festival at Life Park Rama 9 in Bangkok between 13 and 15 April 2023, Ban Krut...Feel Good 2023 Songkran Celebration in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan on 14 and 15 April 2023, Songkran Siam Pha Khao Ma Ploi Joy in Bangkok on 13 and 15 April 2023, and Songkran Phra Pradaeng 2023 in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeg district on 21 and 23 April 2023.
Experience Songkran celebrations around Thailand. The Northern region will host the Chiang Mai Songkran Festival from 13 to 16 April 2023 in Chiang Mai City, the "Oythan" Buddha Image Bathing and Merit-Making Festival for Songkran Si Satchanalai between 8 and 12 April 2023 at the Phraya Lithai Statue Square and the Si Satchanalai Historical Park in Sukhothai's Si Satchanalai district, and the Pai Buddha-Bathing Songkran Festival on 13 April 2023 at the Pai District Office in Mae Hong Son. The Northeast region will host the Isaan Great Songkran Festival: Festival of Dok Khoon Flower, Sound of Khaen (Bamboo Mouth Organ), and Khao Niao Street between 8 and 15 April 2023 at Kaen Nakhon Lake and Srichan Road in Khon Kaen./ The Eastern region will host Buddha Image Sand Sculpture and Bang Saen Wan Lai Festival between 16 and 21 April 2023 on Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri./ The Central region celebrations include the Mon-Style Sangkhla Buri Songkran Festival between 13 and 17 April 2023 at Wat Wang Wiwekaram and Bodhgaya Pagoda Replica in Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district and the Tai - Yuan Songkran Festival from 13 to 15 April 2023 at Wat Khlong Suwankhiri and Ku Bua Community Market in Ratchaburi./ The Southern region will host Hat Yai Midnight Songkran from 12 to 13 April 2023 on Niphat-uthit 2-3 Roads in Songkhla's Hat Yai district, as well as Maha Songkran and Nang Dan of Mueang Nakhon Procession Festival between 11 and 15 April 2023 at the Si Thammasokaraj Public Park and Ligor Floating Market in Sanam Na Mueang, Nakhon Si Thammarat's Muang District.
TAT has prepared special measures in collaboration with the Tourist Police Bureau to ensure the safety and confidence of Thai and foreign festival goers during the upcoming Songkran celebrations, in accordance with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' White Tourism Policy, which aims to gain international tourists' trust in Thai tourism's safety and security.
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Source: Bangkok Writer And Partners
