Thailand to Invest $5 Million in New Year Celebrations

April 4, 2025

From April 11-15, 2025, Sanam Luang Square in Bangkok will become the center of grand Songkran celebrations — the "World Water Festival" and traditional Thai New Year. The government has allocated 153 million baht ($5.1 million) for the event, expecting an economic return of 3.2 billion baht ($95 million). The festival is anticipated to attract around 800,000 participants and serve as a powerful stimulus for the tourism industry, which forms more than 14% of the country's GDP.

Thailand's Cultural Appeal Attracts Millions of Visitors

The "Grand Songkran Festival" will be a key event within Thailand's "Grand Year of Tourism and Sport 2025." It is also part of the extensive "7 Months, 7 Wonders of Summer Festivals" program that the government is implementing as an element of its "soft power" policy.

The goal of these initiatives is to attract international attention and increase tourist flow. According to forecasts, Thailand will welcome approximately 35 million tourists in 2025 — a substantial increase compared to 28 million in 2023.

The festival gained special significance with its inclusion in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2023. This status not only enhances the event's international prestige but also attracts culturally oriented travelers from around the world.

Water Battles and Vibrant Traditions

The Thai New Year transforms streets into a magnificent water carnival. Locals and tourists, armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses, enthusiastically drench each other, filling the air with laughter and joyful exclamations — no one stays dry.

But this is not merely entertainment and water fights: the holiday holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. Translated from Sanskrit, "Songkran" means "to move forward" or "the flow of time." It marks the beginning of the Thai New Year, symbolising renewal, purification, and good fortune for the coming year.

During these days, Thai people return to their hometowns for family gatherings, young people pay respect to elders, and temples fill with believers who bathe Buddha statues and perform good deeds to attract blessings for the upcoming year.

Best Places to Celebrate

While water festivals take place throughout Thailand, the most vibrant experiences can be found in Bangkok:

• Sanam Luang Square —a cultural area near the Grand Palace where traditional rituals take place
• Khao San Road — the biggest and wildest water fight zone with music and parties
• Silom Road — a long stretch packed with people splashing water all day

Those seeking a more authentic experience should head to Chiang Mai with its traditional parades, while beach lovers might prefer Pattaya or Phuket, where water festivals are particularly spectacular.

In Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital, visitors can participate in water games with elephants, who also enthusiastically spray tourists. Here, celebrations take place among the majestic ruins of historical temples, with the atmosphere enhanced by performances featuring traditional Thai dances and music.

Significance for Investors and Property Owners

The comprehensive approach to tourism industry development creates favorable conditions for real estate investors. The growing number of tourists and significant government investments in cultural events increase the attractiveness of the Thai real estate market, especially in the resort apartment and urban housing segments.

For investors, this means not only the opportunity to receive increased income from short-term rentals during festivals but also stable long-term asset value growth in popular tourist locations throughout the country.