Iconsiam Sets Stage for Major Songkran Celebration Amid Tourism Revival Efforts
The iconic mall in Thailand allocates 65 million baht for the Songkran festival, aiming to attract over 1.4 million visitors.
Iconsiam Co., the operator of the Iconsiam shopping mall in Bangkok, is preparing for its grand Songkran celebration scheduled from April 10 to 16, 2025, with an investment of 65 million baht aimed at boosting tourism spending and increasing visitor numbers.
The ambitious event, “Iconsiam Thaiconic Songkran Celebration 2025,” is expected to draw more than 1.4 million visitors, approximately half of whom are anticipated to be international tourists.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, managing director of Iconsiam, noted that while the number of Chinese visitors has not fully rebounded, there has been a notable increase in tourists from Europe and neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Mr. Supoj expressed support for the Thai government's initiatives to rekindle interest from the Chinese tourism market, highlighting efforts to engage Chinese media influencers to promote Thailand as a travel destination.
Despite facing challenges from a global economic slowdown that has impacted foreign visitor spending, Iconsiam aims to enhance tourist expenditure through a series of events, including the Songkran celebration, which has been elevated to a status comparable to the New Year's countdown festivities.
The mall forecasts that spending during the event will be 40% higher than during regular periods.
The Songkran celebrations at Iconsiam will feature an array of attractions, including a nine-meter-tall water tower, a dedicated children's area, a giant sand pagoda, and traditional Thai cultural performances.
Additionally, a mini-concert showcasing more than 300 artists is planned to add to the festive atmosphere.
In parallel, Iconsiam is undergoing renovations to introduce new luxury shops and restaurants, a project expected to be completed by early 2026. This investment aims to further entice new visitors and enhance the overall shopping experience.
Eurblarp Sriphiromya, executive director of the tourism products department at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that Songkran has been recognized on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, prompting the agency to promote the event nationwide.
The TAT predicts that the Songkran festival will generate over 4 million domestic trips and attract approximately 400,000 foreign tourists.
In an effort to support a resurgence in tourism, five TAT offices in China are actively promoting Songkran as part of their strategy to restore travel confidence following prior safety concerns.
The ambitious event, “Iconsiam Thaiconic Songkran Celebration 2025,” is expected to draw more than 1.4 million visitors, approximately half of whom are anticipated to be international tourists.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, managing director of Iconsiam, noted that while the number of Chinese visitors has not fully rebounded, there has been a notable increase in tourists from Europe and neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Mr. Supoj expressed support for the Thai government's initiatives to rekindle interest from the Chinese tourism market, highlighting efforts to engage Chinese media influencers to promote Thailand as a travel destination.
Despite facing challenges from a global economic slowdown that has impacted foreign visitor spending, Iconsiam aims to enhance tourist expenditure through a series of events, including the Songkran celebration, which has been elevated to a status comparable to the New Year's countdown festivities.
The mall forecasts that spending during the event will be 40% higher than during regular periods.
The Songkran celebrations at Iconsiam will feature an array of attractions, including a nine-meter-tall water tower, a dedicated children's area, a giant sand pagoda, and traditional Thai cultural performances.
Additionally, a mini-concert showcasing more than 300 artists is planned to add to the festive atmosphere.
In parallel, Iconsiam is undergoing renovations to introduce new luxury shops and restaurants, a project expected to be completed by early 2026. This investment aims to further entice new visitors and enhance the overall shopping experience.
Eurblarp Sriphiromya, executive director of the tourism products department at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that Songkran has been recognized on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, prompting the agency to promote the event nationwide.
The TAT predicts that the Songkran festival will generate over 4 million domestic trips and attract approximately 400,000 foreign tourists.
In an effort to support a resurgence in tourism, five TAT offices in China are actively promoting Songkran as part of their strategy to restore travel confidence following prior safety concerns.
