Songkran Festival Held For 5 Days, Potential For COVID-19 In Thailand Soars

JAKARTA - The Thai health authorities have expressed concerns about a potential spike in COVID-19 cases after the Songkran Festival was held. The festival was held for 5 days and involved water war activities.

Concerns about the spike in COVID-19 cases due to factors such as close contact during water war events. Then extensive national travel during the festival.

Head of the Department of Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Yong Poovawan, indicated that COVID-19 cases in Thailand were likely to increase in early Apri, coinciding with the Songkran celebration, quoted from VnExpress International, on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Based on studies of more than 8 thousand cases of COVID-19 from the previous year, it was recorded that the spread of the virus was facilitated to have crowded meetings in limited spaces. Not only that, the increase also occurred due to increased mobility during the Songkran Festival period.

Therefore, treatment is mainly focused on treating symptoms, except for vulnerable groups. Like pregnant women, individuals with obesity, or those who have an immune system are disturbed.

The population is also said to need antiviral treatment and strict monitoring to prevent complications when suffering from COVID-19 after attending the Songkran Festival.

Meanwhile, the Songkran Festival is a celebration of the traditional new year in Thailand which is a popular gathering. This festival is also one of the largest national holidays in Thailand.

The Songkran Festival is listed on the UNESCO Humanitarian Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The celebration takes place in mid-April every year, after the rice harvest, as people gather with families to pay tribute to parents, ancestors, Buddhist statues, water sprinkling, music performances, and various festive parties for approximately a week.