CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Rising oil prices and persistent PM2.5 smog unsettled tourists and sharply reduced bookings for Songkran in Chiang Mai, with occupancy down to 50–60% during the long holiday period.
Extensive Songkran program planned from 7 to 19 April
Chiang Mai and the responsible authorities prepared a broad Songkran program for 7–19 April 2026. The activities were divided into two main areas: tradition and culture, and water festival events.
Traditional elements included almsgiving, ritual pouring of water over relics, piling sand, and donating support posts to temples. These activities were intended to keep the cultural heritage of the festival clearly at the center.
Parades and water fun around the Old City
A highlight was the procession with Phra Phuttha Sihing and other important Buddha statues from various temples on the afternoon of 13 April 2026. At the same time, classic Songkran water play was planned around the moat encircling the Old City.
Additional entertainment formats such as “Songkran Mahabanthoeng” were announced in shopping centers, including around the Rinkham and Maya intersections. Tourism promotions were also planned on “Ton-Yang” Road in Saraphi district and at the tunnel entrance of the Mae Kuang Udomthara Dam in Doi Saket district.
City preparations: stage, water tunnel and safety steps
The Chiang Mai municipality began installing event stages and a large water tunnel on Tha Phae Road near Tha Phae Gate. The event “World Songkran Thaphae Chiangmai 2026” was scheduled to take place at this location.
Floating buoys were set up in the moat to keep visitors from entering deeper sections of the water. The measures were designed to increase safety during the expected festival crowds.
Tourism sector warns of impact from oil crisis and Middle East tensions
Paisan Sukjaroen, acting chair of the Tourism Industry Council of Chiang Mai province, expressed concern about unrest in the Middle East, which had contributed to rising oil prices and a tight supply situation.
“This has had a direct impact on people’s willingness to travel: room bookings for the long Songkran holiday period are currently at about 50–60 percent. In previous years, 80–90 percent was usually reached at the same time.”
said Paisan.
PM2.5 headlines slow bookings despite interest from Asia
According to Paisan, bookings initially picked up slightly at the beginning of April as more guests from Asia reserved rooms, including from China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Japan. After that, however, the momentum weakened again.
“The trigger was the reporting on the high PM2.5 levels in Chiang Mai, which were at times ranked among the highest worldwide. Many tourists now want to wait and see whether the air quality improves by Songkran.”
said Paisan.
Domestic travelers stay away amid fuel prices and shortage fears
The decline was particularly marked among Thai tourists, who often travelled by private car and were now scarcely booking.
“The share of Thai reservations is only around 2–5 percent. The reasons are higher fuel prices and uncertainty over whether sufficient fuel will be available along the way.”
said Paisan.
Industry urges state to secure fuel and tackle PM2.5 faster
The tourism sector called on the government to prioritize stabilizing fuel supplies and preventing shortages. This was seen as key to restoring confidence so that travelers would not cancel plans out of concern over supply problems.
At the same time, faster action against PM2.5 was demanded, including artificial rain measures. As summer storms usually occur around Songkran, businesses also hoped for natural rainfall to wash the smog out of the city in time.