Ayutthaya Maha Songkran Festival Opens with Water Fun and Elephants

Khaosod•Society•8h ago

Reader Briefing

Ayutthaya's grand Maha Songkran festival commenced on April 13, 2026, attracting locals and tourists for water splashing activities, including a unique interaction with elephants.

•The 'Maha Songkran Krung Kao Festival 2026: Water, Faith, Heritage of the Land' officially opened in Ayutthaya on April 13, 2026.
•The festival features water splashing activities with tourists and locals, including a special segment with elephants from Ayutthaya Elephant Village.
•The event is scheduled to run from April 13 to April 15, 2026, with various attractions like a water tunnel and cultural performances.

Overview

•On April 13, 2026, the 'Maha Songkran Krung Kao Festival 2026' was inaugurated at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Municipality due to the Songkran festival.
•Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chawarin Wongsathitjirakarn, and Mayor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City, WatdR. Somson Sapphakoesakula, jointly presided over the opening ceremony.
•The opening ceremony included the release of a floral float parade, tire floats from communities and private sectors, and a procession of sacred Buddha images for people to offer water for merit.
•Elephants from Ayutthaya Elephant Village and Laphaeniet, decorated with beautiful patterns, participated in water splashing with tourists, adding color to the event.
•WatdR. Somson Sapphakoesakula stated that the event is scheduled from April 13-15, 2026, on Naresuan Road, in front of the municipality, offering diverse activities.
•The festival's theme, 'Maha Songkran Krung Kao: Water, Faith, Heritage of the Land,' reflects Ayutthaya's identity as an ancient capital with a long history.
•This year's highlight includes opening the 'Ayutthaya Island' area for tourists to fully engage in Songkran water splashing, along with special activities featuring over 9 elephants.
•The event is supported by the private sector in order to promote tourism and stimulate the Ayutthaya provincial economy during the Songkran festival.

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Key Quotes

Somson Sapphakoesakula

"This year's event is scheduled from April 13-15, 2026, at Naresuan Road, in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Municipality, featuring diverse activities like a water tunnel, cultural performances, and ceremonies to ask for blessings from elders."

การจัดงานในปีนี้กำหนดขึ้นระหว่างวันที่ 13–15 เมษายน 2026 บริเวณถนนนเรศวร หน้าสำนักงานเทศบาลนครพระนครศรีอยุธยา โดยมีกิจกรรมหลากหลาย อาทิ อุโมงค์น้ำพุ การแสดงศิลปวัฒนธรรม และกิจกรรมรดน้ำขอพรผู้ใหญ่

Key Entities

Place

Ayutthaya(อยุธยา)ℹ️

The historical city in Thailand hosting the Maha Songkran festival.

Date

2026

The year the Maha Songkran Krung Kao Festival is taking place.

Person

Chawarin Wongsathitjirakarn(นายชวนินทร์ วงศ์สถิตจิรกาล)

Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya who participated in the festival's opening.

WatdR. Somson Sapphakoesakula(ว่าที่ร.ต.ดร.สมทรง สรรพโกศลกุล)

Mayor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Municipality who opened the festival and provided details about its schedule.

Somsong Phanjaroenwongkul(นางสมทรง พันธ์เจริญวรกุล)

President of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization who attended the festival opening.

Organization

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Municipality(เทศบาลนครพระนครศรีอยุธยา)

The governing body where the Maha Songkran Krung Kao Festival was opened.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization(อบจ.พระนครศรีอยุธยา)

The organization whose president attended the festival opening.

Ayutthaya Elephant Village and Laphaeniet(วังช้างอยุธยา แลเพนียด)

The place providing elephants for water splashing activities at the festival.