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Alcohol-Free Songkran Festivities in Bangkok to End by 10pm

Bangkok authorities have announced that water-splashing events during the Songkran festival will be alcohol-free citywide, wrapping up by 10pm each night. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has set up a 24/7 command centre to ensure safety and operational effectiveness throughout the festival’s duration from April 11-15. Deputy city governor Tavida Kamolvej emphasized the importance of enforcing these restrictions across 88 event locations.

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Songkran's major celebration hubs include Lan Khon Mueang, Silom Road, and Khao San Road. The city has outlined specific guidelines: no large water cannons, no indecent displays, and avoiding the use of powdered chalk. Organizers are also tasked with promoting water conservation under these guidelines. The city has been divided into three zones, designating areas according to event type and safety needs.

Zone 1 hosts officially sanctioned venues with organized safety and activity plans. Zone 2 includes special control areas likely to draw crowds without formal oversight. Zone 3 prohibits festivities entirely, including places like hospital entrances and major intersections, to ensure essential services aren't disrupted.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has prepared for potential heat impacts, with forecasts predicting temperatures reaching 60°C. Emergency units and public drinking water provisions are required for all festival locations to address health and safety concerns.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom noted an expected increase in people celebrating within the city due to high fuel prices deterring travel to hometowns. In response, extra police will be deployed to maintain safety and manage the anticipated larger crowds during the festivities.

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image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 07 Apr 2026

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Ralf001 Star Member

Ralf001

Advanced Member
7 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Pattaya is just getting into its stride for water throwing at 10 pm.

I'll be well maggoted by 10pm !

Rookie123 Apprentice Member

Rookie123

Member
17 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Really? This has to be a mistake.

This "60°C" figure refers to the heat index—a "feels-like" temperature that combines air temperature with high humidity—rather than the actual ambient air temperature, which is expected to range between 32–41.9°C.

For ref, the highest verified heat index temperature ever recorded is 178°F (81°C), measured in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on July 8, 2003.

Rookie123 Apprentice Member

Rookie123

Member
17 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Really? This has to be a mistake.

This "60°C" figure refers to the heat index—a "feels-like" temperature that combines air temperature with high humidity—rather than the actual ambient air temperature, which is expected to range between 32–41.9°C.

For ref, the highest verified heat index temperature ever recorded is 178°F (81°C), measured in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on July 8, 2003.

Cabradelmar Gold Member

Cabradelmar

Advanced Member

I find it hard to believe that authorities can and will be able to enforce this city wide.

SAFETY FIRST Star Member

SAFETY FIRST

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

no large water cannons, no indecent displays, and avoiding the use of powdered chalk

Yeh, those water cannons used by stupid foreigners in Pattaya, not looking forward to that.

Kandinski Advanced Member

Kandinski

Member
1 hour ago, BangkokHank said:

Quite a bit less than 60 degrees.

2 hours ago, Presnock said:

that is 60 degrees Celsius - 40 degrees temperature with high humidity so feels like 60 degrees temperature.

Quite a few countries have regulation prohibiting outdoor work above a certain heat index which isnt that hard to reach during a heatwave in SEA or the Persian Gulf and the high temp can be deadly for exposed and OFC when mixed with alcohol.

thecyclist Gold Member

thecyclist

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, wil iam not said:

Will we non-Buddhist expats and tourists be allowed to have a bevvy if we do not throw water?

And after 10pm, can we carry on and get ratted?

In Thailand, it's April's fool every day.

Presnock Platinum Member

Presnock

Advanced Member
4 minutes ago, Kandinski said:

Quite a few countries have regulation prohibiting outdoor work above a certain heat index which isn't that hard to reach during a heatwave in SEA or the Persian Gulf and the high temp can be deadly for exposed and OFC when mixed with alcohol.

Yep, but not here, though they have been issuing warnings for several weeks that this heat wave will be here during this period. As a matter of fact, a second fire fighter in the CM forest reportedly succumbed to the dangers of fighting these forest fires.

Homburg Gold Member

Homburg

Advanced Member

Alcohol-Free Songkran Festivities in Bangkok to End by 10pm

Well, that sounds like fun.

Ralf001 Star Member

Ralf001

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yeh, those water cannons used by stupid foreigners in Pattaya, not looking forward to that.

Got the IBC in the back of the pickup and will be buying a fire fighting pump tomoz.... its gunna be awesome rolling through the soi's !

Reddavy Gold Member

Reddavy

Advanced Member
7 hours ago, LALes said:

Good luck trying to enforce that in Pattaya!

I wish they would. Last year they were still at it at 1-00 am. Completely ridiculous. But as usual nothing will happen. It’s called Thainess. 🙈

vangrop Silver Member

vangrop

Advanced Member

i participated once to the Songkran madness in Pattaya.. This is not a party, this is a fignt and the most enjoyable period for all kind of morons. Never in my life again

Jim Mac Senior Member

Jim Mac

Member
6 hours ago, Homburg said:

Alcohol-Free Songkran Festivities in Bangkok to End by 10pm

Well, that sounds like fun.

What a balls up of a headline. Any proof reader jobs going?

jacko45k Star Member

jacko45k

Advanced Member
18 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Hard to imagine Songkran in Soi Nana being alcohol free.

Same same on Khao San Rd really. Same restrictions are posted every year and then ignored on the day!

daveAustin Diamond Member

daveAustin

Advanced Member

Designated zones, no big guns, No chalk, no alcohol, deadlines. Gawd, Thailand is becoming a proper bore-fest. Would probably suit the boring boomers though. 🤭

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