"Songkran at Khaosan Road"Extremely lively, with tourists flooding in and gathering to play water on the last day, filling the streets. The estimated daily economic turnover in the area is around 140 to 150 million baht.
On 15 April 2026 GMT+7, reporters described the atmosphere on the final day of the Songkran festival at Khaosan Road as very lively. Both Thai and foreign tourists continuously poured into the area, with the total number expected to surpass 200,000 people after the main water play area at Silom ended activities, causing a clear influx of large crowds into Khaosan Road.
Mr. Sanga Ruangwatthanakul, president of the Khaosan Business Association, revealed that although the overall economy is still slowing and Thai purchasing power has dropped by about 20-30%, along with a roughly 20% decrease in advance hotel bookings compared to last year, the number of tourists has increased, especially foreigners from China, Korea, and India, who continue to arrive steadily.
During 12-13 April, there were over 200,000 tourists in total. At peak times between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm, more than 100,000 people passed through Khaosan Road. On 14 April, from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm, about 120,000 tourists were counted, resulting in an overall festival growth of approximately 10% compared to last year.
Regarding safety measures, authorities employed technology to manage crowds, using CCTV and AI drones to monitor real-time density, enabling effective control of the situation and crowd dispersal.
However, despite the rise in tourist numbers, many operators reported that sales have not grown accordingly due to a significant increase in street vendors, leading to higher price competition, while Thai purchasing power has yet to fully recover.
It is estimated that during this festival, daily economic turnover in the Khaosan Road area reaches about 140-150 million baht. Nevertheless, operators remain cautious about investments, especially stockpiling goods amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
Mr. Sanga also expressed confidence that the international recognition of the Songkran festival, especially its registration with UNESCO, will be a key factor in attracting tourists worldwide to visit continuously every year, despite current economic pressures.
Photo: Saran Pongsawat