Thousands of Thai and Myanmar residents gathered at the middle of the Moei River on Sunday to celebrate a cross-border Songkran festival, marking a vibrant display of friendship between the two neighbouring communities.
The event, held at Ban Mae Ku Luang natural crossing in Mae Sot district of Tak province, saw crowds from both Mae Sot and Myawaddy join water-splashing festivities for the first time in two years. Food stalls and music stages were set up on both sides of the river, creating a lively atmosphere under tight security from authorities of both countries.
At the river’s centre, families and young people dressed in colourful floral shirts and summer attire gathered to celebrate despite temperatures reaching around 40°C. Many took photos and shared the moments on social media, highlighting the cross-border spirit of Songkran.
Organisers said the “two-country Songkran” aims to strengthen local ties between Thai and Myanmar border communities, using the shared New Year traditions as a cultural bridge while also boosting tourism and local income in the region.