The festival will be held between 13 and 15 April and will not start on the 12 April as it usually does. The deputy-governor says Bangkokians and visiting tourists will be able to join in the fun in all the key locations where Songkran is traditionally celebrated in the Thai capital.
These include backpacker central on Khaosan Road, Silom Road and the Royal City Avenue nightclub zone. The principal activity to mark the passing of one Lanna year to the next is full scale water-fights. This custom evolved from a much older one of gently pouring water on the hands of elders and also Buddha statues to show respect.
The lack of rain during the last wet season and since has caused the worst drought in Thailand in two decades. Deputy-governor Kijchawengkul also told Bangkokians they needed to conserve dwindling water supplies and set themselves a target of reducing their usage by 20 per cent a day.
Songkran is a busy time of year on public transport in Thailand as revellers head back to their home towns for the festivities. Key routes to destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui are always fully booked and it pays to confirm your travel reservation with 12GO ASIA as soon as possible.
Drought means Bangkok water fest will be drier this year
News in Asia
The deputy-governor of Bangkok has announced that this year’s Songkran water-festival is being shortened. Amorn Kijchawengkul says that as Thailand is in the middle of a fairly severe drought, water fights will be limited to three days instead of the customary four.