The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially announced the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2026, a major international celebration set to make Bangkok a global hub of culture and festivities for the Thai New Year.

The announcement was made on April 7 at Benjakitti Park during a press conference attended by senior TAT officials, representatives from partner agencies, members of the media, and the reigning Miss World Opal Suchata Chuangsri, who serves as Thailand’s Tourism Ambassador.

The festival will take place from April 11 to 15, 2026, at Benjakitti Park, while the parallel “Saneh Art by Songkran Festival 2026” will run from April 10 to 30 at Lumpini Park. Both events are designed to showcase Thailand’s cultural heritage while presenting Songkran in a modern format.

A key highlight of this year’s celebrations will be Opal Suchata’s role as the 2026 Songkran Goddess, “Nang Rakshasadevi,” leading the official Maha Songkran World Event Parade on April 11. Her participation shows Thailand’s effort to elevate the festival’s international profile.

During five days, the festival will feature a wide-ranging programme including live concerts by leading Thai artists, cultural performances, and immersive experiences representing Thailand’s five regions. Visitors can expect traditional temple fair activities, local markets, and interactive zones catering to all age groups.

Among the major attractions is a large-scale drone light show involving more than 1,200 drones, alongside dedicated areas for water festivities and electronic music performances. The event also incorporates over 100 food and retail stalls, as well as workshops and cultural demonstrations.

The Saneh Art by Songkran Festival at Lumpini Park will complement the main celebrations with contemporary artistic interpretations of Thai traditions, including large-scale installations, seminars, workshops, and interactive activities.

Beyond Bangkok, TAT is supporting Songkran celebrations nationwide, with events taking place across key destinations including Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Phuket, and Songkhla, reinforcing Thailand’s identity as a global “Festival Destination.”

Tourism authorities project that the Songkran period from April 11 to 15 will generate more than 30.35 billion baht in tourism revenue. The country is expected to welcome approximately 500,000 international visitors during the period, alongside nearly six million domestic trips. It’s a big party!

With Miss World Opal Suchata taking center stage, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2026 is set to position Thailand’s most popular celebration firmly on the international scale.