PATTAYA, THAILAND – Tourists attending the Wan Lai festivities were able to collect free colorful waterproof bags at a tourism booth through 19 April to make the Songkran water celebrations more comfortable and fun.
Free souvenirs for Wan Lai visitors
Visitors to Pattaya’s Wan Lai celebrations from 17 to 19 April were invited to stop by the local tourism booth. There, staff handed out free, brightly colored waterproof bags to festivalgoers.
The bags were intended as souvenirs for the holiday period and were aimed specifically at tourists. Distribution took place as part of the Wan Lai events, which in Pattaya were traditionally associated with large-scale water fights.
Organised by the TAT Pattaya office
The giveaway campaign was organised by the Pattaya office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). According to the organisers, the goal was to provide visitors with additional conveniences during the Songkran celebrations.
The initiative formed part of broader efforts to make the festival experience in the city more practical. For many attendees at large water festivals, protecting personal belongings played an important role.
How tourists received the waterproof bags
The free bag was issued when visitors clicked “Like” on the Facebook page of the TAT Pattaya Office. No further conditions were mentioned in the announcement.
In this way, the campaign also relied on social media to increase reach and visibility. For tourists, the process was simple: like the page and collect the bag at the booth.
Location of the tourism booth
According to officials, the booth was located near the entrance to the event area. This was intended to allow visitors to pick up the souvenir conveniently before they immersed themselves in the festivities.
The placement at the entrance was considered particularly practical, as many guests wanted to secure their valuables before the water battles began. This allowed them to use the bag immediately without having to return later.
Why waterproof bags were in demand at Songkran
The waterproof bags were expected to be especially popular because they could protect phones, cash and other valuables from water. With extensive water activities in Pattaya, this was a key advantage for many visitors.
During Songkran and the local Wan Lai celebrations, water guns, buckets and splash actions were a typical sight. As a result, demand for simple protection solutions for personal items was high.
Your view
Readers were asked whether they would like a Facebook page in exchange for a free souvenir such as a waterproof bag, or whether they found such promotions annoying. They were invited to share their views in the comments.
The discussion also focused on which practical services cities like Pattaya should additionally offer during Songkran, such as more lockers, phone protection, drinking water stations or other measures, and to debate these ideas with the community.