The Hua Hin municipal office in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province hosted a press conference on April 5, 2023, to launch the Songkran Festival celebrations. The event was presided over by Mr. Sathien Charoerean, Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and attended by Mr. Komkrit Charoenpattanasombut, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Province, Mr. Polkrit Phuangwalsin, Hua Hin District Chief, Mr. Nopporn Wuthikul, Mayor of Hua Hin City, Mrs. Lisa Ungheng, Chairman of the Cultural Council of Hua Hin District, and Mr. Achawan Kongkanan, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Prachuap Khiri Khan Office. The festival, which will take place on April 12-13, 2023, will feature a sand pagoda construction contest, Ghost Jumping Tai folk play, water pouring ceremony, and music performances at Pone Kingpetch Park. There will also be a lantern sculpture of the southern langur mascot, Nong Nur, standing at about 7 meters tall, dressed in bright colors to welcome tourists. The mascot will be surrounded by various aquatic animals, with a large rabbit decorated with hundreds of lanterns in the middle of Damnoen Kasem Road in front of the Hua Hin Municipality Office. The event aims to promote, preserve and continue Thai culture, encourage Buddhists to make merit, offer food to monks and have fun according to local traditions. The festival is also expected to boost tourism and stimulate the economy of Prachuap Province.
