A parade that TAT has billed as the Procession of Three Kingdoms is the first part of the Songkran Splendours programme and has been scheduled to take place in the capital on the 10 April at 15:00. The retinue will follow a route beginning at Jesadabordin Royal Pavilion before taking in Ratchadamnoen Avenue and terminating at Nagaraphirom Park.
Two more parades on the 13 April will focus on the life and times of Thai people during the reigns of kings Rama III and Rama V plus ancient mythology. All three parades will showcase the heritage and customs of the nation’s main geographic regions.
Visanu Jaroensilp, a deputy-governor with the TAT, explained that the parades would showcase Thai heritage. He noted that people taking part in the ubiquitous water-fights in Bangkok and other locations such as Chiang Mai or Sukhothai, should dress decently in keeping with Thai etiquette and not use high-powered water-guns.
Songkran derives from the New Year celebrated in the old Lanna Kingdom of Thailand. It is the key event on the nation’s calendar. Due to the fact both Thai and international tourists travel to different locations to celebrate, tickets for public transport are hard to come by and it pays to reserve your seat or sleeping berth with 12GO ASIA.
Thai tourist office announces Songkran parades for Bangkok
News in AsiaThailand’s tourism bureau has released a schedule of events planned for the upcoming Songkran Festival. The traditional New Year Festival begins on 13 April, but this year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is getting a head-start with a colourful parade three days beforehand.