Bangkok is gearing up for a grand Songkran celebration, the traditional Thai New Year festival, on December 7, 2023. Starting at 5:00 p.m. at Lan Khon Muang and Wat Suthat Thepwararam, the event commemorates UNESCO’s recognition of Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, announced in Kasane, Botswana, in 2023.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to lead the opening ceremony, with anticipated participation from leaders of various government units, particularly from the Department of Cultural Promotion and the Ministry of Culture.
The ceremony will feature the bathing of the Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image and a vibrant procession showcasing Thai culture, led by Anntonia Porsild, Miss Universe 2023’s first runner-up, as “Mahotorn Devi,” the Songkran Goddess for 2024.
The celebration, blending tradition with modern elements, includes the Legend of Songkran Queen and regional festivities, aiming to educate and engage attendees in the heritage and significance of Songkran.
This celebration is also seen as a strategic effort to raise worldwide awareness of Thai culture, increase tourism, and encourage economic development, drawing attention and investments from across the globe. (NNT)
