The inaugural Awakening Song Wat festival, running from August 8 to 17, aims to boost night-time activity in one of Bangkok’s most popular neighbourhoods.
Song Wat has become known for its cafés, galleries and creative businesses that draw steady crowds during the day. However, local entrepreneurs report that the area loses energy after dark, with bars and night-time venues struggling and visitors left disappointed by the lack of nightlife.
The festival uses light, sound and storytelling installations to extend the district’s appeal into the evening and position it as a cultural destination after sunset.
Under the theme Culturalight, 14 installations by Thai and international artists span 12 locations along Song Wat Road, showcasing the district’s shophouse architecture and riverside heritage, with highlights including Please Pray, My Child, a colourful display at Charoenwattana Warehouse; Light Supplies, a glowing historic hub; and Song Wat Song Dance, an interactive floor reacting to visitors’ steps.
Festival director Pongsiri Hetrakul – also behind the flagship Awakening Bangkok, founded in 2018, which now attracts some 200,000 visitors annually – believes lighting festivals can help rebalance day-night visitor flows.
“Light brings people in. When they come, foot traffic increases, shops sell more, and there’s renewed interest in the area’s stories,” he said.
His site selection process can take years, involving historical research, conversations with residents, and mapping walkable routes.
“I’ve always believed in making people walk – sometimes five kilometres or more – so they pass through shops, food stalls, and everyday life. That’s when the local economy comes alive again,” he explained, recalling fried bun vendors setting up to meet demand, 7-Elevens selling out of bottled water, and residents offering pop-up tabletop activities such as tarot reading during past festivals.
The festival is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, along with MINI Thailand, GrabTaxi (Thailand) Co., ThaiBev Marketing Co., Boon Rawd Trading Co., and various private-sector partners along Song Wat Road, with installations lighting up 18.00 to 23.00 nightly.
