Thailand rides on Songkran festival to boost soft power

STORY: Thailand rides on Songkran festival to boost soft power SHOOTING TIME: April 15, 2024 DATELINE: April 16, 2024 LENGTH: 00:04:06 LOCATION: Bangkok CATEGORY: CULTURE/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Songkran festival celebrations in Ayutthaya 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): Thai citizen 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG SHAOHONG, Chinese tourist 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Thai): ITTHIPHAN KHAOLAMAI, Manager of Ayutthaya Elephant Palace 5. various of the Songkran festival celebrations in Bangkok 6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): MA HUIZHEN, Thai-Chinese singer 7. various of the Songkran festival celebrations in Bangkok STORYLINE: Getting drenched in water fights, splashing water with elephants, or enjoying cultural performances, revelers embrace Songkran festivities throughout April across Thailand as the country rides on its traditional new year to boost "soft power." Songkran, usually held from April 13 to 15 in Thailand, is also celebrated in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Known as the Buddhist new year, the holiday is tr