Songkran confusion leaves tourism promoters red-faced
THE GOVERNMENT was forced to clarify its Songkran plans last Friday (Apr 5) after a bewildered Chinese tourist posted a video of himself outside a Bangkok mall ready for water-splashing fun a day earlier, only to find no one else was celebrating.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced on Mar 12 that the three-week Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 would begin on Apr 1 in the northern province of Chiang Mai and wrap up on Apr 21 in Chonburi and Samut Prakan.
This caused confusion between local residents and tourists alike with the Chinese man in full Songkran regalia – floral shirt and water gun – taking to Chinese video-sharing site Douyin.
“Who should I celebrate with?” he asks, while standing outside Terminal 21 mall. “They say it’s being held from April 1-21, but why has it not turned out as expected? I hope there’s an explanation.”
SleeplessBKK, an account on the X platform, shared the video, tagged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and said it was an embarrassment.
Ms Paetongtarn, in her role as the country’s “soft power” tsarina, was one of the prime movers behind the three-week Songkran idea.
Government spokesman Chai Watcharonke said that while the festival lasts from Apr 1-21 across the country, activities are not being held simultaneously in every province.
He said the TAT has a calendar outlining the celebrations nationwide that will be extended across 21 days, but with the main celebrations being held from Apr 13-15 as usual in almost every province.
Authorities will improve their communication work and ensure that visitors are provided with accurate information to prevent misunderstandings, he added.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol admitted there had been some misunderstanding about the threeweek-long Songkran festival. She said the ministry and responsible agencies would improve public relations and provide a more accurate explanation to foreign tourists who intend to visit the country for the watersplashing festival.
The main event from Apr 12-16, is expected to generate 4.3 million domestic trips and 510,000 foreign tourist visits.