The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites foreign visitors to join the Thai people in celebrating the Thai New Year festivities between 13-15 April 2010, in Bangkok and major provinces nationwide.

In true Thai style, the “Songkran Splendours 2010” will be marked with great fun in the Thai capital as well as in the popular tourist provinces of Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, and Phuket.

The Royal Thai Government has announced 16 April 2010, as a national holiday so the Thai people will have a long holiday from 10 -18 April 2010 (including the weekend) to celebrate the Songkran Festival. Bangkok especially becomes entirely traffic-free during this period, and hence very easy to get around, with all the department stores, shopping complexes, and other tourist attractions all still open. Tourists can enjoy Songkran in Bangkok; such as, the Grand Songkran Festival at Wat Pho on 10 April, 2010 and the Songkran Festival Celebration along Silom Road during 13-15 April 2010.

The Songkran Festival is a fun-filled national celebration that pays tribute to the role of water in Thai social, cultural, economic and spiritual life. Marked during the peak of the summer heat wave, it includes the annual bathing of Buddha images carried out at temples and homes across the country.

The word "Songkran" means a passage or course and refers to the position of the sun within the solar system. As the sun enters each of the houses of the zodiac constellation, a songkran cycle is completed.

Over time, the use of the term has become more generic. During this time, the sun is equidistant to the earth, so there is an equal number of hours during the day and night, a phenomenon known as "maha songkran" (the supreme cycle). This marks the beginning of the Thai New Year. During this period, many men also enter the monkhood as an expression of respect and gratitude to their parents and ancestors.

A spirit of good-natured fun permeates the holiday season. Songkran embodies the essential caring and unity at the core of Thai society — enduring qualities that make Thailand truly amazing.

Here is a list of the main events:

6-18 April 2010
Nong Khai Grand Songkran Festival
(Wat Pho Chai and around Nong Khai)

8-15 April 2010
Dok Khun Siang Khaen Songkran Festival
(Bueng Kaen Nakhon and Khao Niao Road, Khon Kaen)

11-15 April 2010
The Songkran Grand Festival in Bangkok:
- Nine Royal Temples around Rattanakosin Island
- Khao San Road, Bang Lamphu
- Wisutkasat
- Santi Chai Prakan Park

12-14 April 2010
Songkran Tradition of Sukhothai Historical Park
(Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai)

12-15 April 2010
Nakhon Phanom Songkran Festival
(Hat Sai Tong Si Khotrabun and Wat Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom)

12-15 April 2010
Hat Yai Midnight Songkran Festival
(Niphat Uthit 1 Road, and Sanehanuson Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla)

13-15 April 2010
Chiang Mai Songkran Festival
(Chiang Mai)

13-15 April 2010
Old City Songkran Festival
(Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)

13-15 April 2010
The Grand Songkran Festival in Sacred Nakhon Si Thammarat
(Si Thammasokkarat Park, Sanam Na Mueang, Ho Phra Isuan, Nakhon Si Thammarat)

13-15 April 2010
Songkran Water Festival (Paradise on the Beach)
(Patong Beach, Phuket)

13-18 April 2010
Ko Sichang Songkran Festival
(Ko Sichang and Ko Khamyai, Chon Buri)

16-17 April 2010
Wan Laii Bang Saen Songkran Festival
(Along Bang Saen Beach, Chon Buri)

16-18 April 2010
Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival
(Samut Prakan)

18-20 April 2010
Wan Lai Pattaya Songkran Festival
(Pattaya, Chon Buri)

19-21 April, 2010
Sri Maharacha Songkran and Rice Piling Festival
(Mueang Si Racha Municipal Health Park, Si Racha, Chon Buri)

Source: The Government Public Relations Department