The Songkran water festival will last for a month instead of just three days.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai government announced on December 1st that the famous Songkran water festival will last for a month, starting in 2024, instead of the previous three days.

Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and chair of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), stated that they agree to promote Songkran as one of the world's most distinctive festivals.

Paetongtarn stated on December 1st: “Let’s make Songkran a festival that everyone has to fly to Thailand to attend. Let’s make Thailand the home of one of the world’s top 10 festivals.”

"Starting next year, the Songkran festival will no longer be the same as before. We will not be splashing water for three days, but will instead celebrate the festival for a whole month nationwide," she added.

Ms. Paetongtarn wrote on her personal Facebook page that the committee expects the extended festival to generate 35 billion baht (over 1 billion USD) for the Thai economy.

On November 30th, the NSPSC drafted a budget allocating nearly $150 million to activities including: festivals ($28.7 million), food ($28.7 million), tourism ($20.4 million), entertainment ($15.6 million), sports ($14.34 million), Thai arts ($10.9 million), creative design ($8.9 million), music ($4.13 million), and books ($nearly $2 million).

Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, vice chairman of the NSPSC, argues that the government should pass the Soft Power Act and establish the Thailand Creative Content Agency (Thacca) to promote the country's soft power.

Phase 2 of the Thacca project will train 20 million people to form subcommittees responsible for developing 12 different creative industries, including: food, sports, festivals, tourism, music, books, films, games, art, design, and fashion.

Dr. Surapong said the NSPSC will review the budget request on December 14 before submitting its final report in January 2024.

Siam Group CEO Piwat Chadatip Chutrakul, chairman of the festival subcommittee, said the subcommittee has planned to hold more than 10,000 events across Thailand throughout 2024.

Ms. Chadatip stated that the 2024 Songkran festival will be held on Rachadamnoen Avenue and several other locations in Bangkok's Old Town. Additionally, provinces will also hold water festivals to promote their own traditions.