On 10 April 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane organised a Songkran celebration at the Thai Residence in Vientiane.

The event was held under the theme “Songkran at Home: Global Colours of Thai Happiness (Once in a Lifetime: Experience Songkran in Thailand)”, in line with the Ministry of Culture’s initiative to promote Thai cultural identity, encourage tourism, elevate Songkran as a global festival, and raise awareness of Songkran’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.

 

On this occasion, H.E. Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Ambassador of Thailand to the Lao PDR, led Embassy officials, Team Thailand, staff members, and members of the Thai community in the Lao PDR to give alms or Tak Bat to 15 Buddhist monks. The alms giving ceremony was presided over by Venerable Phouangprasert Poumavong, the Abbot of Ong Teu Mahawihan Temple and the Director of Ong Teu Sangha College, followed by a traditional water-pouring ceremony over Buddha images for auspiciousness, and a breakfast gathering reflecting shared Thai–Lao cultural traditions at the Thai Residence. The event aimed to foster unity and strengthen the sense of community among Thais residing in the Lao PDR.

 

H.E. Mrs. Krongkanit also extended Songkran and Lao New Year greetings to participants, highlighting the shared cultural heritage between the two countries. In addition, some participants dressed in “Chud Thai” or Thai traditional attire, including royal Thai costume styles, to promote awareness of Thailand’s ongoing initiative to nominate “ChudThai” (Thai traditional attire) for inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in late 2026.