On 18 April 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy, together with the Permanent Mission of Thailand to ASEAN, Thai Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, Thai Women’s Association in Indonesia (TWA), Thai Friend Community (TFC), and Sanuk Mak, organised Songkran Festival 2026 under the theme, “Our Songkran: Experience Thailand in Jakarta.” The event aimed to celebrate the Thai New Year tradition together with both the Thai and Indonesian communities, as well as promote Thai culture in Indonesia. Around 600 people attended, from both Thai and Indonesian communities, as well as the members of the diplomatic corps in Indonesia and media outlets.
During the event, the participants experienced traditional Thai ceremonies, including sprinkle water on the Buddha image, and receiving blessing from seniors. Participants also enjoyed a variety of Thai food, beverages, and merchandise at the Thai Bazaar which featured 14 vendors. Other activities included a cultural workshop on making the Thai dessert “Luk Chup” or fruit-shaped mung beans, quizzes about Thailand, Thai karaoke session, as well as the tradition of Songkran water splashing.
This year, the Embassy also held an exhibition and a photo booth where participants were able to take photos of themselves in an AI-generated “Chud Thai” or the Thai National Dresses. The activity was held in remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother who played an important role in preserving the Thai National Dresses as a national identity and promoting them internationally. Thailand is currently nominating “Chud Thai” to be included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, while the Songkran Festival was already included in the list since 2023.
The event attracted significant interest, with Indonesian media in attendance to cover the vibrant atmosphere of Thailand’s Songkran Festival.