PATTAYA, THAILAND – Thailand’s Songkran water festival, once a brief New Year celebration in Pattaya, has evolved into a week-long ordeal for many long-term visitors who complained about high prices and chaotic street parties.
Changes to the Songkran festival
What had been a short, festive diversion in Pattaya was now described as louder and more crowded. One long-term resident said he structured his travels around the holiday period:
“I plan my trips so that I am not in Thailand during Songkran.”
said a long-term resident.
Residents reported that central Pattaya had turned into an almost manic celebration that many found exhausting.
“It used to be okay, now it is chaotic all day and all week,”
said another commenter.
Rising costs and growing frustration
The rising prices for food, drinks and nightlife added to visitor frustration. One local pointed to sharply higher alcohol prices, warning of consequences for businesses:
“The overpriced prices for alcohol will cause many to stay away.”
said a resident.
A general sense of disappointment with the festival was evident in online comments and local discussions. Some argued that Songkran should primarily be for Thais, not an extended party for foreign tourists.
“Foreigners should hold back and enjoy the spectacle,”
said another resident.
Safety concerns during the festival
Critics also targeted the festival’s safety record. An online user cited a high national death toll linked to celebrations and risky behavior:
“Thailand always says it is a time of celebration, but on average 400 people die from alcohol- and water-related incidents.”
wrote an online user.
These 400 deaths reportedly cast a shadow over the festivities and sparked debate over whether participant safety was being adequately protected. The figures raised questions about enforcement of rules on alcohol consumption and water play during the holiday period.
The positive side of Songkran
Despite the complaints, many tourists and locals continued to embrace the festival’s spirit. Some residents in Pattaya said they still enjoyed Songkran but wished it were shorter.
“It would be great if it lasted only one or two days, but it drags on for too long,”
commented another Pattaya resident.
In less touristy areas, celebrations were reported to be shorter and more manageable, typically limited to a maximum of three days. That contrast fueled calls from some residents for Pattaya’s festivities to return to more modest, traditional roots.