Travel Calendar: City New Year traditions and Songkran Chiang Mai (April)

       Songkran Festival is a New Year's celebration in mid-April that brings out grand events in every province across the country every year. It is a part of the culture that tourists are interested in, especially the world-famous water splashing, which is held between 13 and 15 April every year. 

       Chiang Mai Province, where every year many tourists travel to the event, will organize a retro Songkran festival in the Lanna way, "Pa Wen Pi Mai, Chiang Mai City," on 12-16 April. There will be activities that focus on the ancient culture and traditions of the Lanna people, mixed with contemporary traditions. It also revives traditions that come from the essence of ancient cultures, which come back to inspire the next generation to learn them, as well.

       There are guidelines for organizing activities this year in Chiang Mai. It aims to support the Ministry of Culture, in line with its aim to submit the Songkran Festival in Thailand to UNESCO as a representative of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

       Three other aspects of Thai culture have been registered by UNESCO as part of the internationally recognized intangible cultural heritage of humanity, namely Khon Dance, Thai Massage, and Nora Dance. Countries may make submissions for registration every two years, so in 2023, Thailand will nominate the Songkran tradition for registration and certification.