Prime Minister to Oversee Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai: The Prime Minister is preparing to inspect 'Songkran' in Chiang Mai on April 13th. She has instructed all units to adhere to the Cabinet's directives to manage the country's major events during each festival, aiming to create a positive global impression. According to Thai News Agency, government spokesman Mr. Jirayu Huangsap disclosed that on Sunday, April 13, 2025, Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra will visit Chiang Mai Province. Her visit will focus on overseeing security measures for tourists and ensuring smooth travel at various tourist destinations in the North. This includes collaboration with the Provincial Police Region 5 Headquarters, administrative sectors, and other relevant agencies such as the army and medical units across provinces, as per the Prime Minister's directive for ministries to manage the Songkran Festival on April 8. The Prime Minister will also work to boost tourism confidence in the northern region and Chiang Mai Province, which attracts a significant number of tourists. She will inaugurate the International Songkran Festival and continue the "Pa Weni Pi Mai Muang" tradition in Chiang Mai on April 13, at 4:30 p.m. at "Kwang Pratu Tha Pae" in Mueang Chiang Mai District. The event will feature the launch of the "Amazing Songkran Chiang Mai x Boryeong Mud Festival 2025," a cultural and tourism collaboration between Thailand and South Korea. During the festival, the Prime Minister will open the 'Maha Songkran Chiang Mai Amazing Water Splash' water tunnel and release the 'Tuk Tuk Thailand, Great Fun, Great Fun' convoy, participating in activities with tourists. She will then proceed to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan to perform the water pouring ceremony on the Phra Buddha Sihing, a revered Buddha image in Chiang Mai, before moving to Maya Square at Maya Shopping Center for the 'SF My Water World Songkran Festival 2025'. Mr. Jirayu further stated that on Monday, April 14, 2025, the Prime Minister will attend the 'Pa Weni Pi Mai Mueang San Kamphaeng' event at the Long H im Khao community in San Kamphaeng district. The event will include a welcome performance, a ceremonial bathing of Buddha images, and a water-pouring ceremony for the elderly. Additionally, there will be a showcase of the 'Festival of Handicrafts, Memories of San Kamphaeng' and the '10 Hom Long Panya' activity featuring OTOP products from San Kamphaeng district. Mr. Jirayu emphasized that the Prime Minister's visit during the Songkran festival highlights the government's commitment to promoting Thai culture and traditions, along with supporting tourism and Thailand's 'soft power' policy. This initiative aims to transform cultural activities and local wisdom into vital Thai products, driving the grassroots economy sustainably.