International Tourists Are Welcome to Join Thailand Summer Festivals

Thais and international tourists are encouraged to join “Thailand Summer Festivals,” a seven-month celebration running from March to September 2025, under the theme “7 Months 7 Wonders Summer Festivals.”

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presided over the launch of this tourism campaign on 26 February 2025 at Government House in Bangkok. The campaign is part of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, aimed at reinforcing Thailand’s status as a world-class destination for tourism and sports.

It features over 70 events across seven categories, namely (1) Songkran, (2) Pride Month, (3) culture, (4) music, (5) sports, (6) food, and (7) art and creativity. The Government hopes that the campaign will bridge the low-season gap and promote continuous travel throughout the seven- month period.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated that the Government intends to develop the tourism sector as a key driver of Thailand’s economy and that tourism contributes over 14 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). The Thailand Summer Festivals consist of events and activities catering to all lifestyles, which aim to draw tourists to both major cities and lesser-known attractions in all regions of the country.

One of the highlights is the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, to be held at the Sanam Luang ceremonial site in Bangkok from 11 to 15 April. The festival continues to honor the recognition of Songkran, traditional Thai New Year, as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage item, and to elevate this festival into a global event.

The Prime Minister said that more than 1.5 million international tourists visited Thailand during the Songkran festival in 2024, an increase of 40 percent over 2023. The Government targets 38 million tourist arrivals in 2025, an increase from 36 million in 2024.

She said that the Government fully supports “soft power” development and would like all provinces to propose their identities as a strength to attract tourists from all over the world and stimulate the local economy.