Bangkok is launching a new application that will show maps of Songkran activities in the city, ranked by level of “wetness”.

The city administration is expected to hold a press event to launch the app next Friday (April 7), Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Monday. The move aims to distribute tourists to every part of the city to experience one of Thailand’s biggest cultural events of the year, and to alleviate crowding at popular spots, such as Khaosan Road, he added.

Bangkok deputy governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said that it would be a Web-based application requiring no downloads or installation. Modified from the application used during Bangkok Design Week, the new application will tell people where they can find Songkran activities throughout the city, as well as where the “splashing of water” is happening, with icons indicating how wet the participants can expect to get.

The map would also serve those who don’t want to get wet while strolling in the city during Songkran, as they can plan their route to avoid splash zones. Currently about 30 splashing events have already registered with the city administration, and more are expected to join, said Sanon.

Sanon added that this year the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Department of Cultural Promotion will hold a cultural activity to mark the Thai traditional new year at Lan Khon Mueang Town Square in front of City Hall in Phra Nakhon district from April 12-14. The event will include merit making, pouring water onto elders, and splashing of holy water from famous temples in the city.

For adventure lovers, Bangkok will hold Songkran activities at Phadung Krung Kasem Canal in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. Sanon said the city’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department is testing services of paddling boats and kayaks in the canals, and is hoping to launch full service to the public during Songkran.

Meanwhile, the artisan community of Ban Bart in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district will organise their own Songkran festival from April 8-15 to showcase the craftsmanship involved in making a monk’s alms-bowl.

Chadchart said this year would be the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that the city would be holding full-scale activities for the Songkran festival. Event organisers have been instructed to prioritise the safety of participants, while the city will also dispatch officials to monitor the situation closely and provide aid in case of emergency, he said.

“We expect to see more tourists visiting Bangkok this year, and hotel occupancy rate is now rising close to the pre-Covid level,” said Chadchart. “It is good timing that we have opened more public spaces and gardens throughout the city to accommodate these visitors, who no longer have to get cramped into old tourist hotspots and can now explore the city to the fullest. This move is also good for wealth distribution to urban areas.”

Chadchart added that a new trend among tourists is to rent a bicycle to visit attractions in urban areas, which has prompted the city to promote the characteristics of each community in Bangkok to offer experiences from different aspects of Bangkok, adding some variety to the already saturated popular tourist attractions.

“During the Songkran festival, all participants must strictly obey the laws, especially regarding selling and consuming of alcoholic beverages. After all, it is a celebration of Thai culture and tradition, and we do not need alcohol to have fun,” the governor said.