Surasak, Minister of Tourism, is pleased with the positive response to “Vijit Chao Phraya 2026,” now in its fifth consecutive year. The goal is to attract 4 million visitors and generate 8.6 billion baht, stressing strict adherence to show schedules to value the audience's wait time and experience fairly.
14 Nov 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, revealed details about the grand phenomenon event “Vijit Chao Phraya” (Vijit Chao Phraya 2026) which has been held for the fifth consecutive year. He said this year’s event has received outstanding praise and excellent reception from the first day, marking it as a highly worthwhile investment to stimulate the national economy.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aim for the event duration to attract nearly 4 million tourists and locals to enjoy the beauty along both sides of the Chao Phraya River, generating at least 8.6 billion baht in economic turnover. This demonstrates the grand magnificence of the Chao Phraya River as the lifeblood of Thai people showcased to tourists worldwide.
Mr. Surasak added that the event’s key objective is to drive the festival economy and promote night tourism to extend visitors’ stays and encourage spending, resulting in genuine income distribution to grassroots levels including restaurants, hotels, riverside viewpoints, and boat operators—from small tour boats to large cruise ships with strong bookings—leading to employment and widespread income circulation for riverside communities, supported by excellent cooperation between government and private sectors.
“The most important aspect is tourist safety. We thank the Royal Thai Police, marine police, and boat operators who jointly manage traffic and security strictly. After inviting ambassadors from many countries to experience the atmosphere on the evening of 13 November 2026, all were impressed by Thailand’s presentation—the beauty of fireworks, vibrant colors on the water, and riverside lifestyles. This year, we aimed to make it more beautiful and grand than ever. All ambassadors are ready to help promote Thailand’s charm further.”
Additionally, reports indicate many people and tourists began arriving at riverside spots as early as noon to secure viewing areas. Therefore, strict punctuality for all shows has been emphasized, since even a 5-minute delay or 2-minute early start affects the feelings of those who patiently came to watch. Timeliness is a way to honor their dedication and ensure their experience is worthwhile.
The “Vijit Chao Phraya 2026” event is held under the concept “Light of Imagination,” using cultural, historical, and riverside lifestyle capital expressed through light, color, sound, projection mapping, and installation art across 19 key sites along both sides of the Chao Phraya River—from Rama VIII Bridge to Rama III Bridge. Special highlights include laser music shows at Rama VIII Bridge, a display of over 800 drones forming characters at Wat Arun, cultural performances at Wat Kalayanamitr, and spectacular fireworks along the river. The event is free for tourists and the public daily from 13 November to 13 December 2026, 18:00 to 22:00.
