Thailand’s world-famous Songkran Festival just made a massive comeback — and the numbers are in: international tourism surged in a big way, showing that Thailand remains one of the most beloved travel destinations in the world 🌍.
Songkran is Thailand’s traditional New Year celebration, and it’s one of the country’s biggest and most joyful festivals! 🎉🇹🇭
Here’s what makes Songkran so special:
💦 Water fights everywhere – Streets turn into splash zones as people throw water at each other to symbolise washing away the old year and starting fresh. It’s all about fun, renewal, and good luck!
🙏 Cultural traditions – Locals visit temples, make offerings to monks, and gently pour water over Buddha statues and elders’ hands for blessings.
👨👩👧👦 Family time – It’s a time for family reunions, cleaning homes, and showing respect to elders.
🗓️ When? Songkran takes place every year from April 13–15, though celebrations often stretch across a whole week in some areas.
💥 Songkran Week Soared by Over 17% in Arrivals!
During April 6–12, when Thailand celebrated the traditional Thai New Year with the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, the country welcomed over 666,000 foreign visitors — an increase of 17.61% compared to the same period last year. From water fights in Bangkok’s Khao San Road to traditional parades in Chiang Mai, it was clear that travellers were eager to be part of the action.
🌎 Top Countries Visiting Thailand for Songkran 2025
While Thailand saw arrivals from all over the world, five countries stood out for bringing in the most visitors during the festivities:
- 🇲🇾 Malaysia
- 🇨🇳 China
- 🇮🇳 India
- 🇷🇺 Russia
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Southeast Asia continues to dominate short-haul tourism, but it’s exciting to see long-haul markets like the UK and Russia showing strong support too.
💰 Big Boost to Revenue
Between January 1 and April 13, Thailand generated more than 516.5 billion baht in tourism revenue. The early-year momentum, capped by the Songkran boost, is giving 2025 a very strong start.
Even more exciting: China, Malaysia, and India all saw double-digit growth in tourist numbers, showing renewed interest and confidence in Thailand as a safe, exciting holiday destination.
✈️ What’s Next for Thai Tourism?
To build on this success, Thailand is rolling out even more traveller-friendly changes in 2025:
- 📢 New promotional campaigns to target high-value and long-stay visitors
- 🛂 No more TM6 immigration form for smoother entry
- 🛫 More flights added to key destinations, making Thailand even more accessible
All signs point to a promising year ahead as Thailand balances mass tourism with quality experiences. The world came back for Songkran — and it looks like they’re staying for more.
Planning your trip to Thailand? Now’s the perfect time to go. Whether you’re looking to join in the festivals or just soak up the beaches, Thailand is ready and waiting — with a smile, a water fight, and some mango sticky rice on the side.
