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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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 07 Apr 2026

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11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has prepared for potential heat impacts, with forecasts predicting temperatures reaching 60°C.

Really? This has to be a mistake.

Bangkok authorities have announced that water-splashing events during the Songkran festival will be alcohol-free citywide, wrapping up by 10pm each night.

Let's take an event that is being slapped-down by Trump's wars and tourism is being gutted, and then legislate to make them even less fun.
"No alcohol for you, water-throwers!"
"Best of luck enforcing that. Are you going to give everyone with a squirtgun and breathalyzer test?"

Of course the best word in the article is "controlling" but Thailand wants to atrack tourists, but tourist don't like be controlled. Besides Alcohol free Songkran till 10 pm???? why 10 PM Make it totally alcohol free, nobody will control it anyway, or let it be free but fine the heavy drunks.... Make a festival for everyone, not only for those against alcohol

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?

April fools was last week

The massage shop I frequent in Silom told me that there was going to be surveillance by undercover cops, and those who didn't want to be splashed, had to simply indicate that. He said that all shops had CCTV cameras installed.

I'm sure it will be strictly enforced🫠🤭

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Bangkok authorities have announced that water-splashing events during the Songkran festival will be alcohol-free citywide

Thanks for this. Needed a good laugh today.

If they really enforced that, TAT would be begging for it to be rescinded within two years, as notwithstanding this year, next year would be an absolute washout. Pun intended.

It's about time for a massive reset of the out of control excuse for poor behavior Songkran has become. But I'll believe it when I see it.

12 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Really? This has to be a mistake.

It is the heat index or 'apparent temperature' expected... a combination of underlying high temperatures and high humidity.

13 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Really? This has to be a mistake.

Why? Official weather stations use temperature sensors shielded from direct sunlight to maintain consistency and accuracy in temperature readings. If it´s 37 from such reading, how hot do you think it will be in direct sunlight?

Good luck trying to enforce that in Pattaya!

The white chalk which never bothered me has been gone for years. How about ICE ? Water can be refreshing in the hot weather but ice water is really not needed.

14 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?

Of course, as will Buddhists and locals! It's only in the 'event areas' that no alcohol will be sold, and the events finish at 10pm.

13 hours ago, samtam said:

The massage shop I frequent in Silom told me that there was going to be surveillance by undercover cops, and those who didn't want to be splashed, had to simply indicate that. He said that all shops had CCTV cameras installed.

I'm sure it will be strictly enforced🫠🤭

Are we talking about policy in rub&tug shops over Songkran? Rest of the year the girls need no indication if customers want to splash😋

so sad.. the slow killing of Songkran ....

Tourists might as well stay at home playing splashing in their own backyard... and sleep by 10pm... but at least they get to drink all night in their own home ... 🤣

This is all very well - but they have forgotten to prohibit "spaghetti strap tops". Without stern action on these the very foundations of Thai cultural life is threatened!

17 minutes ago, NemoH said:

so sad.. the slow killing of Songkran ....

Tourists might as well stay at home playing splashing in their own backyard... and sleep by 10pm... but at least they get to drink all night in their own home ... 🤣

Rubbish. The event zones are 'war' zones. Preventing mixing the 'fun' with alcohol is a sensible precaution. No problem with drinking and splashing in the rest of the city.

36 minutes ago, NemoH said:

so sad.. the slow killing of Songkran ....

Tourists might as well stay at home playing splashing in their own backyard... and sleep by 10pm... but at least they get to drink all night in their own home ... 🤣

One can only hope, then they won't be driving on the roads.

Do tourist have their own backyards 🤣

49 minutes ago, NemoH said:

so sad.. the slow killing of Songkran ....

Tourists might as well stay at home playing splashing in their own backyard... and sleep by 10pm... but at least they get to drink all night in their own home ... 🤣

I see no downsides there.

16 hours ago, connda said:

Bangkok authorities have announced that water-splashing events during the Songkran festival will be alcohol-free citywide, wrapping up by 10pm each night.

Let's take an event that is being slapped-down by Trump's wars and tourism is being gutted, and then legislate to make them even less fun.
"No alcohol for you, water-throwers!"
"Best of luck enforcing that. Are you going to give everyone with a squirtgun and breathalyzer test?"

The next thing will be everyone who has a water gun will have to have a gun license.

This article makes it seem that the designated areas like Silom and Khao San Rd will have water throwing April 11-15? As far as I know these areas NEVER had this more than three days! I'm not sure if that is correct or not.

Unbelievable insanity. Who even thinks of these rules.

I actually drink less during Songkran because I'm too busy squirting everyone and being squirted.

I am going to be travelling on Apr 11 around noon with my large roller suitcase and carry-on, walking from my hotel to Nana skytrain station, then transferring to the Airport Rail Link. Will I be safe from getting soaked before my flight, including my laptop in my carry-on and smartphone in my pocket, or should I get a Bolt instead? Having to worry about that kind of stuff is just one reason why I hate this festival.

17 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Really? This has to be a mistake.

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

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

If it´s 37 from such reading, how hot do you think it will be in direct sunlight?

Quite a bit less than 60 degrees.

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

2 hours ago, JAG said:

This is all very well - but they have forgotten to prohibit "spaghetti strap tops". Without stern action on these the very foundations of Thai cultural life is threatened!

Don't agree. I'm happy to support (what is underneath) spaghetti strap tops. Unless it's a child or formerly a male I hasten to addd...

34 minutes ago, shdmn said:

I am going to be travelling on Apr 11 around noon with my large roller suitcase and carry-on, walking from my hotel to Nana skytrain station, then transferring to the Airport Rail Link. Will I be safe from getting soaked before my flight, including my laptop in my carry-on and smartphone in my pocket, or should I get a Bolt instead? Having to worry about that kind of stuff is just one reason why I hate this festival.

Get a taxi from the hotel direct to the airport. Not that expensive.

Or travel to the airport the day before and overnight there in Sleep Box or a hotel close to the airport.