Phuket Prepares for Alcohol-Free Songkran Festivities on April 13

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Phuket is set to host its annual alcohol-free Songkran festival next Sunday, April 13, offering a vibrant celebration of traditional activities, cultural performances, and live music in a family-friendly environment. This event not only commemorates Songkran's cultural heritage but also supports local tourism and businesses.

 

Deputy Governor Samawit Suphanphai recently outlined the 11th Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025. Organised by key stakeholders, including the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Phuket Tourism Business Association, and local businesses like Limelight Phuket Shopping Mall, the festival aims to uphold Songkran's cultural ethos for future generations.

 

Recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, Songkran plays a vital role in showcasing Thailand’s soft power globally. The alcohol-free aspect aims to highlight the dangers of alcohol-related incidents during the festivities, with hopes of reducing Phuket's accident rates this year.

 

 

 

Siriwan Siharat, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket Office, notes the event's integral role in the government’s Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year campaign. She reported a significant 80.9% rise in advance hotel bookings for April 12-16, anticipating over 289,000 tourists and generating around 8.29 billion baht.

 

Running from 4 pm to 10 pm along Dibuk Road, near Limelight Phuket and Queen Sirikit Park in Mueang district, the festival invites visitors to dress in Thai and local fabrics, fully embracing the traditional essence of the Thai New Year.

 

The festival promises a safe, enjoyable celebration that enhances both cultural appreciation and economic vitality in Phuket, aligning with broader efforts to promote Thailand’s rich heritage and tourism industry, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-02

 

 

[johng]

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025. Organised by key stakeholders

 

stakeholders ?  Sounds like WEF gumf,what a load of killjoys  anyway I'm quite hopeful that these stakeholders will be quietly ignored by most.

[ikke1959]

The alcohol sales will be booming this week..... People are not stupid, and than the cultural and traditional performances and activities...what is special about it as a whole year you can experience them.. at weddings, ordinations, funerals, markets and fairs, all the same... food, miss elections, too loud music and singing of persons who better could shut their mouth. And safety??? people will drink as they always do .. forbidding selling is not prevent that as people will enough at home and in their hotels.... The only thing that is affected is the tourist industry, as there is no need for this kind of measure if the police would do their job not only with Songkran but 365 days a year with checkpoints and check all drivers if have been drinking. Than maybe it would be safer. 

[MalcolmB]

I will take my bong instead 

[madone]

This is only in specific areas where the government has established festival venues, right?

i can't imagine they are shutting down patong bars with a full-scale alcohol ban. 

[smedly]

bit late for April fools

 

 

are they seriously having a laugh 

 

 

how about having just one day of madness especially in Pattaya, Hua Hin can do it

[Formaleins]

Lead Balloon, imbeciles, fools, retards, killjoys.....

[sikishrory]

Interesting how it's all sunshine and rainbows in English media for this years Phuket songkran with no mention or media attention given to the 4 terrorists recently stopped in Phang nga trying to bring 4 AK's into Phuket. Thai language media is full of it. Or maybe I missed it:

https://www.naewna.com/local/871683

Announcement of the arrest of 4 suspects who stash war weapons in a car, 1 of 4 linked to a group of unrest in the southern border provinces

On March 23, 2025, Pol. Col. Somchai Sue-tor-trakul, Commander of Phang-nga Provincial Police, announced the arrest of four Thai men who traveled from the southern border provinces with weapons of war hidden in their car, heading to Phuket (read related news: Arrest of four suspects traveling from the southern border to Phuket, hiding weapons of war in their car) . From questioning, it was found that the four suspects traveled together. After this, the firearms will be sent for examination at Forensic Science Center 10, as the weapons were brought from the southern border provinces. The center will have all the information to quickly verify whether the weapons were ever used in crimes in the southern border provinces.

While from the initial investigation, the suspect stated that he received the gun from Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province and was paid 70,000 baht to deliver it to the coordinates that the employer would notify when arriving in Phang Nga Province. However, he was arrested before receiving the coordinates to place the item. Currently, the police of Regions 8 and 9 are conducting an in-depth investigation to see if it is related to the southern border insurgency movement or other crimes.

The news report said that one of the four suspects has a history of being in a southern border insurgency group. The targets are expected to be in Phang Nga and Phuket provinces.

 

WARNING

The National Intelligence Agency and the superintendent of Sakoo Provincial Police Station reported during a meeting that, earlier this March, police arrested a terrorist group—four Thai nationals—in Phang Nga province. One of them is a key operational leader, while the other three are subordinates. Their plan was to carry out terrorist attacks in Phuket.

The National Intelligence Agency and the superintendent of Sakoo Police Station have issued a warning to be especially vigilant after March 28.

Avoid crowded public areas such as: 1. Patong 2. Saphan Hin 3. Walking Streets 4. Any heavily populated areas

There will be an increased number of security checkpoints and searches related to this situation.

The terrorists are believed to be bringing explosives and firearms into Phuket. Relevant authorities are preparing countermeasures due to concerns over public safety. There is a fear that reinforcements may join the operation to fulfill their objectives during the upcoming Songkran Festival, when large gatherings are expected.

It is advised to avoid areas with large crowds.

 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Phuket is set to host its annual alcohol-free Songkran festival next Sunday, April 13, offering a vibrant celebration of traditional activities, cultural performances, and live music in a family-friendly environment

Amazing Thailand.

[davidpoykan]

Phuket Prepares for Alcohol-Free Songkran Festivities on April 13

 

Tourists prepare for Phuket-Free Songkran Festivities on April 13

 

5555😂🤣😂🤣

[newbee2022]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Phuket is set to host its annual alcohol-free Songkran festival next Sunday, April 13, offering a vibrant celebration of traditional activities, cultural performances, and live music in a family-friendly environment. This event not only commemorates Songkran's cultural heritage but also supports local tourism and businesses.

 

Deputy Governor Samawit Suphanphai recently outlined the 11th Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025. Organised by key stakeholders, including the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Phuket Tourism Business Association, and local businesses like Limelight Phuket Shopping Mall, the festival aims to uphold Songkran's cultural ethos for future generations.

 

Recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, Songkran plays a vital role in showcasing Thailand’s soft power globally. The alcohol-free aspect aims to highlight the dangers of alcohol-related incidents during the festivities, with hopes of reducing Phuket's accident rates this year.

 

 

 

 

Siriwan Siharat, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket Office, notes the event's integral role in the government’s Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year campaign. She reported a significant 80.9% rise in advance hotel bookings for April 12-16, anticipating over 289,000 tourists and generating around 8.29 billion baht.

 

Running from 4 pm to 10 pm along Dibuk Road, near Limelight Phuket and Queen Sirikit Park in Mueang district, the festival invites visitors to dress in Thai and local fabrics, fully embracing the traditional essence of the Thai New Year.

 

The festival promises a safe, enjoyable celebration that enhances both cultural appreciation and economic vitality in Phuket, aligning with broader efforts to promote Thailand’s rich heritage and tourism industry, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-02

 

 

....and now please without water too....👍

[har0165]

It won't be alcohol free for me! 😵‍💫

[factual monk]

I will enjoy it @ Bkk... each day in the naughty places... 😉 

[arick]

God the south is so different than the North isn't it.

[10baht]

You kind a wonder why? But everywhere , check out Vietnam, the States, France, Italy, India , Sudan? It must be the climate or the tourists.

[AhFarangJa]

On 4/2/2025 at 5:58 PM, snoop1130 said:

This event not only commemorates Songkran's cultural heritage but also supports local tourism and businesses.

So, ban alcohol, but support local businesses................

[black tabby12345]

Will it be the time for the inter-province booze smugglers?

If they cannot buy in own area during 3 days,  there could be those who try to bring in from outside.

 

Will  governor establish check point and place any riot police on the Sarasin Bridge(connecting mainland and that island)?

 

[Chalong circle]

Another strange and misleading headline refering to one street in Phuket town (Dibuk Road) from 4PM to 10 PM on sunday 13th ....55555