Bangkok: The Songkran festival in Bangkok saw an impressive turnout as 3 million people participated in the city's water fights, with the final day of festivities on Khao San Road concluding at 10 PM. The vibrant event, which took place between April 10 and 14, was marked by a series of water-splashing activities across various parts of the city.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Aranya Pornchaiya, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), led a teleconference meeting at the Command Center in Bangkok City Hall to oversee the festival operations. The meeting included key figures such as Assoc. Prof. Thawida Kamolwech, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, and Pol. Gen. Adisorn Ngamjitsukri, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok, along with representatives from relevant agencies.
Associate Professor Thawida reported that the Songkran festivities attracted a total of 3,145,215 participants, with 1,521,589 attending events at 16 main locations. Silom Road was notably popular, welcoming 652,974 participants over the three-day period from April 12-14. Emergency lanes were prepared for quick access by ambulances and rescue units, although the high number of attendees sometimes hampered their full utilization.
The festival period was not without incidents, as the city recorded 16 fatalities, including accidents involving cyclists and motorcyclists. These statistics underscore the importance of maintaining safety and exercising caution on the roads during such events.
As the festivities wrapped up on Khao San Road, organizers faced challenges in managing the crowd and ensuring safety as the area remained busy even after the official end time. Pol. Gen. Adisorn mentioned that a short-term extension might be granted to facilitate public dispersal, with police and BMA support to ensure safety.
Efforts are underway to integrate the operations of the Municipal Affairs Bureau with Phra Nakhon District Office and police officers to manage crowd dispersal and enhance future event management based on lessons learned during this year's festival.
The event's popularity was highlighted by the Songkran Siam 2026 at Siam Square, which attracted a cumulative 1,096,607 attendees, making it the most popular water play area during the festival. Meanwhile, Khao San Road ranked fifth, drawing a total of 105,925 participants.