Phra Pradaeng Municipality held a press conference. "Phra Pradaeng Songkran 2026" is set to be grandly held from April 24-26, 2026, to continue the folk traditions of the Thai-Ram people.
On 9 April 2026, Phra Pradaeng Municipality, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Chachoengsao Office, the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization, and partner networks, held a press conference at Pom Phlaeng Fai Municipal School, Talat Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province. The event aims to preserve the folk traditions of the Thai-Ram people and protect the cultural heritage of ancestors for future generations. It also seeks to promote tourism in Samut Prakan Province and stimulate the national economy.
Additionally, the festival will publicize the Phra Pradaeng Songkran tradition to both Thai and foreign tourists. It is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026, around the Phra Pradaeng District Office and nearby areas of Phra Pradaeng Municipality. Highlights include the Miss Songkran and Mr. Floating Bachelor contests, traditional folk games (Sabah Ramany), parades of Miss Songkran and floral floats, bird and fish processions, and demonstrations of making the local specialty, Kalae sweets.
Originally called the Pak Lat Songkran Festival, the Phra Pradaeng Songkran is a folk cultural tradition upheld by the Thai-Ram people since the reign of King Rama II of the Chakri Dynasty. According to custom, on Songkran day, villagers dress in traditional Thai-Ram attire to make merit at temples and release birds and fish to ward off bad luck and bring auspiciousness to themselves and their families. At night, they play Sabah games at various homes.
On 6 December 2023, UNESCO declared Songkran in Thailand as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival is one of five original Songkran sites in Thailand nominated by the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, for UNESCO World Heritage registration. The festival is held one week after the Thai Songkran. A distinctive feature is the Miss Songkran parade alongside bird and fish processions organized by multiple agencies and villages. The spectacular floral float parade has been continuously maintained by Phra Pradaeng residents every year until today.
Jiraporn Wachirakhueankhan, Mayor of Phra Pradaeng Municipality, said the press conference simulated the actual event scheduled for April 24-26, 2026. On April 24, the Mr. Floating Bachelor and Miss Songkran contests will take place. On April 26, the grand Songkran parade will be held annually, featuring bird and fish processions reflecting Mon beliefs, which will be released at Wat Prot Ketchettharam Temple.
The parade will include the Mr. Floating Bachelor and Miss Songkran participants, along with local villagers and a marching band of students dressed in Mon traditional costumes according to their customs. The contests can be viewed on April 24 at Pom Phlaeng Fai School.