Despite being worried about the pandemic, three-quarters of people in Thailand intend to celebrate Songkran this year

Although water splashing is prohibited, majority still expect to participate in smaller scale, traditional festivities, while taking precautions to guard against Covid-19

For the third year in a row, restrictions are being placed on Songkran celebrations in Thailand, pre-empting another muted festive season. Latest research from YouGov RealTime Omnibus shows that only a quarter of online Thais do not intend to participate in the celebrations this year (27%), with the remaining three-quarters set to enjoy a myriad of festivities.  

Out of those who will be celebrating the season, six in ten intend to carry out the practice of pouring water on the hands of their elders to seek their blessings (59%) or visit a temple (58%), making these the two most popular activities over the season. Those aged 18-24 are most likely to seek their elders’ blessings (65%), while 35-44-year-olds are most likely to visit the temple (66%). The third most popular activity among online Thais is enjoying other leisure activities, like visiting cafes or tourist attractions, with four in ten saying they will do so (40%).

As the smaller-scale celebrations look set to continue, majority still say they will adopt habits to protect themselves from Covid-19. Three-quarters of celebrants say they will wear a mask in public areas, despite there no longer being laws mandating it. Seven in ten also say they will take care of their personal hygiene by washing their hands often or using hand sanitiser (71%) or avoid crowded public areas (69%). Those above the age of 45 are significantly more likely to adopt any of these three top habits. 

Majority of those looking to celebrate Songkran still express some level of worry about Covid-19, with only one in eight saying they are not worried (13%) and one in twenty saying they are not worried at all (6%). Notably, men are significantly more likely to say they are not worried at all (7%), while women are more likely to express opposite sentiment, with one in five saying they are very worried (21%). 

Methodology:

YouGov RealTime Omnibus provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online from 3 to 7 March 2022, with a nationally representative sample of 2,064 adults in Thailand (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by gender, age, region and monthly household income to be representative of the adult Thai online population (18 years or older), and reflect the latest National Statistical Office of Thailand (NSO) population estimates. Learn more about YouGov RealTime Omnibus.