The Songkran festivities in Bangkok in 2023 were deemed a success, with throngs of Thai and foreign revelers enjoying themselves in the water splashing over the long holiday. Overcrowding on the first day of Songkran dampened the spirits of visitors to Khao San Rd., one of Bangkok’s most popular water-splashing locations. Despite this, the problem was quickly resolved, and Bangkok City Hall now plans to expand the Khao San water splashing zone to include Bang Lamphu and Ratchadamnoen.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt discussed the 2023 Songkran festivities in Bangkok and the number of tourists who attended. He stated that this year’s Songkran celebrations had been meticulously planned.
This was in contrast to previous years, when the COVID-19 situation had not yet subsided.
During Songkran, approximately 20,000 people visited Lan Khon Mueang Plaza in front of Bangkok City Hall to participate in activities, according to the governor. Every day, approximately 50,000 people visited Khao San Road. On the first day of Songkran, there were 25,000-30,000 visitors in Silom, another of Bangkok’s major water splashing locations, 35,000-40,000 on the second day, and around 50,000 on the third day. Over the course of four days, approximately 900,000 to one million people visited Siam Square and the surrounding area within Pathumwan district.
According to the governor, these figures demonstrate the popularity of Songkran activities in Bangkok among Thais and foreigners.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will build on the results of this year’s Songkran efforts and draw on the lessons learned. Mr. Chadchart stated that the problem on Khao San Rd. was caused by an excessive number of revelers. On April 14, Bangkok authorities implemented a one-way walking route for revelers, reducing overcrowding, he said.
