According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai government announced on December 1 that it will hold the famous Songkran water festival for 1 month, starting from 2024, instead of 3 days as before.
Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks on November 30 - Photo: BANGKOK POST
Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and chairwoman of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), announced that they agreed to promote Songkran to become one of the most unique festivals in the world.
“Let’s make Songkran an event that people have to fly to Thailand to attend. Let’s make Thailand home to one of the top 10 festivals in the world,” Ms. Paetongtarn said on December 1.
“Starting next year, Songkran will not be the same as before. We will not splash water for three days but celebrate this festival for a whole month nationwide,” she added.
Ms. Paetongtarn wrote on her personal Facebook page that the committee expects the long-running festival to generate 35 billion baht (more than 1 billion USD) for the Thai economy.
People and tourists attend the Songkran water festival in Bangkok, Thailand on April 13, 2023 - Photo: REUTERS
On November 30, the NSPSC drafted a budget allocating nearly 150 million USD for activities including: festivals (28.7 million USD), cuisine (28.7 million USD), tourism (20.4 million USD), entertainment (15.6 million USD), sports (14.34 million USD), Thai arts (10.9 million USD), creative design (8.9 million USD), music (4.13 million USD) and books (nearly 2 million USD).
Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, vice president of the NSPSC, said the government must pass the Soft Power Act and establish the Thai Creative Content Agency (Thacca) to boost the country's soft power.
Phase 2 of the Thacca project will train 20 million people to form sub-committees responsible for developing 12 different creative industries including: gastronomy, sports, festivals, tourism, music, books, films, games, art, design and fashion.
Dr Surapong said the NSPSC will consider the budget request on December 14 before submitting its final report in January 2024.
Siam Piwat Group CEO Chadatip Chutrakul, chairman of the festival subcommittee, said the festival subcommittee has planned to hold more than 10,000 events across Thailand throughout 2024.
Ms Chadatip said that Songkran 2024 will be held on Rachadamnoen Avenue and several other locations in Bangkok's old town. In addition, provinces will also hold water festivals to promote their own traditions.
