Thailand’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 drew more than 558,000 visitors and generated THB1.7bn ($46.5mn) in economic impact during its first three days, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on April 14, The Nation reported.

Held at Bangkok’s historic Sanam Luang from April 11 to 15, the event attracted 523,456 Thai nationals and 34,559 foreign tourists between April 11 and 13, according to TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. “The festival received overwhelming interest from both Thai and international tourists,” Thapanee said, adding that visitor satisfaction was notably high, with 93.18% of attendees rating their experience as high to very high. Among vendors and businesses, 91.31% reported similar satisfaction.

TAT reported that 91.89% of visitors expressed a strong level of approval of the festival’s flagship Songkran parade. With two days remaining, authorities are now understood to eb intensifying promotional efforts to boost turnout and highlight traditional Thai culture. The event is running daily from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the festivities feature eight “Thainess Iconic” parade processions and also a drone light show using 1,200 drones on April 14 and 15.

Visitors to the sites can also experience rare cultural performances from across Thailand’s five regions, including Likay Hulu and traditional puppet theatre, as well as Muay Thai demonstrations and concerts.

The “Thai Charms” zone offered more than 100 food and craft booths and showcases the “5 Must-Do in Thailand” cultural experiences to help take tourists further afield. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts a 3% increase in foreign tourist arrivals during the April 12-16 Songkran holiday, reaching 476,000 visitors and generating an estimated THB7.324bn in revenue, a 7% rise from the previous year. Domestic tourism meanwhile is also projected to grow, with around 4.42mn trips expected (a 6% increase) and a contribution of approximately THB19.24bn to the local economy, up 9% year-on-year.