Songkran celebrations start nationwide with processions, water events

Songkran celebrations kicked off this morning in Bangkok, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) staged a traditional procession carrying the Buddha Sihing from the Bangkok National Museum through the old city to the old City Hall, allowing members of the public to sprinkle water on the image in a merit-making ritual.

The procession made brief stops at Santichaiprakarn Park, Wat Chana Songkhram, Pak Khlong Talat flower market and Lan Khon Muang at City Hall, where people were able to pour water on the Buddha image.

The image will remain at the old City Hall until Tuesday afternoon, when another procession will return it to the National Museum.

Major water celebrations are scheduled on Khao San Road and Silom Road from tomorrow until April 15.

Meanwhile, in Chiang Mai, the municipal administration will hold a similar procession tomorrow, carrying the Buddha Sihing image from Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, along with important Buddha images from other temples, through various parts of the city, including the ancient moat, where people can sprinkle scented water on the images.

Another key part of Songkran celebrations in Chiang Mai is the traditional merit-making ritual in which locals bring sand to temples to build sand pagodas, symbolically replacing sand carried away on their feet throughout the year.

In Phuket, the municipal administration announced yesterday that its fleet of trucks will suspend free water distribution to Songkran revellers tomorrow, as they are needed to help contain a landfill fire in Saphan Hin.

The fire broke out last night, sending a huge column of black smoke into the sky and prompting authorities to advise nearby residents to wear face masks.

Hat Yai remains a popular destination for Malaysian tourists, especially during Songkran.

Nawaporn Chuachomket, director of the Hat Yai office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said more than 100,000 Malaysians are expected to visit the city during the Songkran celebrations from April 10 to 13.

Most Malaysians travel to Hat Yai by car via the Sadao border crossing in Songkhla province, with immigration police estimating that about 20,000 people arrive daily from Malaysia.

The national police chief, Kitrat Phanphet, chaired a meeting with senior officers yesterday to prepare for a surge in travel and tourist arrivals during Songkran.

In addition to managing traffic and strictly enforcing road safety laws, he said officers are ready to assist motorists who run out of fuel and will help direct traffic at petrol stations and EV charging points.