Bangkok—
On March 8th, 2024, Mr. Sanga Ruangwattanakul, the president of the Khaosan Business Association, publicly revealed preparation for the upcoming World Songkran Festival 2024 on Khaosan Road, Bangkok, from April 13th to the 15th.
The water play on Khaosan Road would be held for three days from April 13th to 15th up to 9:00 PM each day. Afterward, restaurants and entertainment venues would operate normally.
The highlight event on Khaosan Road would be parades of floating Buddha statues for people to worship in a Buddhist manner. As for safety on Khaosan Road, Sanga said that the Khaosan Business Association emphasized that it will be free from large water guns, free from alcohol, free from nudity, free from powder or clay, and less water would be thrown than in prior years.
It’s unclear how well this would be enforced, notes TPN media, especially with hundreds of bars in the area.
Moreover, Sanga said the Bangkok government would install CCTV with AI technology to screen visitors and deter crimes.
As previously announced by the Thai government regarding the Songkran Festival’s activities in Bangkok, from April 11th to 12th, Ratchadamnoen Avenue would be closed for parade cars and mini concerts. After that, from April 13th to 16th, more events would be held at Sanam Luang.
It was estimated that Khaosan Road and nearby streets would have more than 100,000 visitors daily with an approximated income to locals of more than 100 million baht, remarked Sanga.
However, Sanga urged the Thai government to promote Thailand tourism during the Songkran Festival and reveal schedules for the 21 consecutive Songkran celebrations. With the details, foreign tourists could plan their itinerary and Thai entrepreneurs could prepare accordingly, concluded Sanga.
