Thailand’s plan to extend Songkran raises eyebrows and 5.1 billion baht in soft power bid

Thailand‘s iconic Songkran Festival might be turning into a month-long water extravaganza in a bid to boost the country’s soft power, or a potential disaster waiting to happen?

Thailand’s political arena is buzzing with controversy as the Pheu Thai Party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, unveils an audacious plan to extend the beloved Songkran Festival. The goal? To solidify the nation’s soft power on the global stage.

While promoting Songkran as Thailand’s cultural ambassador seems like a charming idea, critics argue that encouraging water festivities throughout April could have unforeseen consequences. Imagine water shortages and disgruntled entrepreneurs protesting against the potential business downturn.

Drawing parallels with global events, detractors question the wisdom of stretching Songkran into an entire month. Are we risking diluting the…