The Bangsaen Water Festival began on 16-17 April 2026. In the morning, there was a spectacular sand pagoda contest, while in the afternoon, tourists flocked to splash water, causing long traffic jams on Sukhumvit Road.
On 16 April 2026, reporters described the Songkran atmosphere at the Bangsaen Water Festival, held this year from 16-17 April 2026. That morning, a sand pagoda contest was held at Bangsaen Beach. The Saensuk Municipality prepared piles of sand at the beach for citizens, agencies, and educational institutions from both public and private sectors to join in building and decorating the sand pagodas starting early in the morning, with each sand pile elaborately adorned.Intricately.The contest judging will take place tomorrow (17 April).
This former tradition was called"the Sand Pagoda Water Flowing Tradition"which was a New Year merit-making day where villagers helped carry sand washed away by rivers or the sea back to the temple to build sand pagodas as a Buddhist offering. But as times changed and transportation shifted from boats to vehicles, the lengthy name was shortened simply to"Water Flow Day"Although the name is shorter, the spirit of fun, merit-making, and water splashing that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to join the festivities remains fully vibrant.
Since about 4 p.m., local residents and tourists began bringing pickup trucks out to splash water along routes from Sukhumvit Road to the beachside road,by the sea.The roads at Bangsaen Ang Sila and Khaolam Road were crowded along the entire stretch.
However, authorities do not allow water trucks on Bangsaen Beach Road but permit people to walk and splash water there, as that area hosts musical performances and many other activities.
