The Cabinet, during its meeting on 3 March 2025, approved a fund of 153 million baht for the project “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025,” following a proposal by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Out of the fund from the 2025 national budget, about 93.3 million baht will be spent on activities to be held at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok, 48 million baht on the organizing of carnival parades, and 11.7 million baht on publicity and public relations campaigns. 

The Cabinet also allowed TAT to use its budget of 40 million baht to carry out this project. Altogether, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 project requires a total budget of 193 million baht.

The Cabinet was told that more than 800,000 tourists are expected to join the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, which would lead to the circulation of 3.2 billion baht and contribute to the country’s overall economy.

The project would help stimulate tourism and public spending, as well as income generation. It would also encourage the preservation of Thai culture and showcase Thailand’s cultural heritage and wisdom to the world at large.

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2023.

The highlight of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 will take place at Sanam Luang from 11 to 15 April, as part of the “Thailand Summer Festivals." Both the public and private sectors will also join hands in hosting the Songkran celebration across all regions of the country.

According to TAT, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 at Sanam Luang will feature eight spectacular carnival parades and delivering a vibrant and immersive experience for participants. The nationwide Maha Songkran, or “Grand Songkran,” festival will showcase Thailand’s vibrant cultural traditions across 17 provinces and four key locations in Bangkok. To engage international audiences, an official Songkran Thai New Year theme song has been introduced in 20 languages, including Thai, English, French, Chinese, German, and Japanese.

Minister of Culture Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol stated that, with Songkran now recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Thailand is taking this celebration to new heights. The Maha Songkran World Water Festival blends heritage with innovation, establishing Thailand as a world-class festival hub while boosting cultural pride, tourism, and economic growth.