We have to accept that Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 this year has Songkran traditions and festivities unique because it attracted people of all genders, all ethnicities and ages to join World Water Festival 2024. Those visitors were both from domestic and abroad.
Their influx to join amazing splash activities in Khao San Road in Bangkok. Khao Pun Road in Nakhon Phanom; Khao Niao Road in Khon Kaen; Khao Lam Road in Chon Buri.
Particularly, amazing splash activities in Sanam Luang. Which have the water zone with musical dancing fountain, water tunnel, gigantic wading pool. And water station which have a background of the Grand Palace. The activities here were so much fun that even Granny sneaked in for a dance.
Achieve success due to good planning
Khun Klang-Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the cutest daughter of Sompol Kiatphaibool, former permanent secretary to the Commerce Ministry said “My fatigue has gone when seeing crowded people on the tourism streets in Bangkok, big cities and the second tier-tourism provinces in Thailand because very well- planned strategies of the government.”
“We planned from the beginning to organize several major festivals this year. To boost the Thai economy and assist Thai people to generate income.”
The great success of the Songkran festival this year was as a result of TAT and the Cultural Ministry receiving good cooperation. From the public and private sector. The Songkran festival is rank in the top ten of the global.
The agency estimated 800,000 foreign visitors to participate in this Songkran festival. Including from Germany, British, France, Netherland, the US and 90,000 from countries in Asia. Excluding foreign visitors who planned to visit Thailand during summer. Alone, during the Songkran festival could generate 3 billion baht revenue.Currently, foreign visitors to Thailand have reached 11 million.
Songkran wins UNESCO recognition
“The success of Songkran festival this year also is the occasion of Thai Songkran. Being enlist as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 6, 2023. This is an inspiration of the Cultural Ministry that submitted this festival to UNESCO.”
UNESCO also conducted a feature to promote this Intangible Cultural Heritage that the festival is the most bizarre event in the world. Once Thai people assist each other to organize the festival.
The feature reported that Songkran refers to the sun’s annual passing into the Aries constellation. The first sign of the Zodiac, which marks the traditional start of the new year.
Occurring in mid-April after the rice harvest, it is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors and sacred Buddha images.
Wishes that everyday is Songkran day
Pouring water is a significant act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence and good fortune. Other activities include bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, games, music and feasting.
The tradition is passed on through participation in the festivities. Parents transmit the tradition to their children orally through regular social and family interactions.
Educational institutes, government agencies, the media and Thai astrologers also play an important role in preserving, promoting and transmitting the astrological knowledge and wisdom related to Songkran.
Songkran promotes community cooperation, unity and forgiveness. It is viewed as a time to symbolically wash away misfortunes, pray for prosperity for the coming year, reunite with family members, and honour ancestors and older adults.
Thai people do not hold grudges against each other for splashing water during Songkran even if they don’t know each other. This is the reason that UNESCO says the festival is the most bizarre event in the world.
Witnessing overflowing joy during Songkran festival, Granny really wishes that everyday is Songkran day!!
By Granny Turismo
Information from : The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Related news : Songkran festival is expected to generate 52.50 billion baht
