The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is promoting Songkran 2019 festivities in three emerging destinations to showcase local traditions of the annual Thai water festival.

Ahead of Songkran next week, the tourism bureau announced that it will focus on the promotion of Tak, Mukdahan and Ranong — and is supporting activities in eight other provinces (Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Ayutthaya, Phuket and Songkhla).

“A different take”

According to TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, “secondary destinations offer a different take on the uniqueness of time-honoured Thai traditions at this most important time of the year”.

“Thailand’s emerging destinations and secondary cities have a unique charm that is often found in smaller towns around the world. Some traditions are maintained in these places that might have faded in larger more established destinations like Bangkok or Pattaya.”

Tak

Tak province is home to natural attractions including the largest waterfall in Thailand. This small town in the Lower North of Thailand serves as an important crossroads for travellers between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and is an important westerly route into Myanmar at Mae Sot (Thailand) / Myawaddy (Myanmar), with cross border access now possible due to relaxed restrictions.

Mukdahan

Mukdahan is one of the northeastern provinces of Thailand bordering the Mekong River, across which lies Savannakhet Province of Lao PDR. Roughly two and a half miles north of the city’s centre, the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects it with Savannakhet city.

Ranong

Ranong is Thailand’s most northern province along the Andaman coast sharing a land border with Myanmar. Varied attractions and activities make this a great place for anyone wanting to experience one of Thailand’s lesser-visited Southern provinces.

Dense forest and lush agricultural lands cover much of the province, and there are numerous islands, big and small, off the coastline.