Govt clarifies dates of Maha Songkran
April 1-21 schedule befuddles tourist
The government yesterday clarified what is happening over the threeweek-long Maha Songkran World Water Festival after a Chinese tourist arrived equipped with a water gun outside a shopping mall in Bangkok only to find no one else was celebrating.
A video clip of the confused tourist was released on China’s video-sharing site Douyin before it was shared by “Daka China”, a Facebook page featuring stories about China. A Thai translation was provided.
The clip showed a Chinese man in a flower-pattern shirt with a water gun in front of Terminal 21 in the Asoke area. He asked: “Who should I celebrate with? They say it is being held from April 1-21, but why does it not turn out as expected? I hope there is an explanation.”
SleeplessBKK, an account on the X platform, shared the clip, tagged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and said it was an embarrassment.
Government spokesman Chai Watcharonke told the Bangkok Post that while the festival lasts from April 1 to 21 across the country, activities are not held simultaneously in every province.
He said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has a calendar outlining the celebrations nationwide that will be extended across 21 days from April 1-21, with the main celebrations being held from April 13-15 in almost every province.
He said authorities will improve communication work and ensure that visitors are provided with accurate information to prevent misunderstandings.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said it was a miscommunication and misunderstanding about the three-weeklong Songkran festival. She said the ministry and responsible agencies will improve public relations and provide a more accurate explanation to foreign tourists who intend to visit Thailand for the water-splash festival.
“As for tourists already here in Thailand, please be patient and wait a few more days before you can play with water for Songkran,” she said.