Samut Songkhram, 12 September 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has opened “Neramit Amphawa”, a ten-day evening programme of food, light, culture and performances across Amphawa Floating Market, King Rama II Memorial Park and surrounding riverside areas. Part of the Amazing Thailand Food Festival, it runs from 11–20 September 2026.
The official opening ceremony at King Rama II Memorial Park was presided over by Mr. Chayachai Saeng-in, Governor of Samut Songkhram Province, joined by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor. Also attending were TAT executives, representatives of government agencies and the private sector, and Amphawa tourism stakeholders.
TAT is delivering the event with Samut Songkhram Province, King Rama II Memorial Park, the Amphawa Chaipattananurak Project, the Marine Department, the Royal Thai Police, Amphawa Subdistrict Municipality and related partners, covering operations, visitor services, safety and environmental management.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “Neramit Amphawa brings new energy to one of Thailand’s best-known riverside destinations by connecting food, waterways, heritage and community life into a distinctive night-time experience. Through the Amazing Thailand Food Festival, TAT aims to encourage longer stays, stimulate local spending and create fresh reasons to revisit established destinations while keeping local identity at the centre of the visitor experience.”
Presented under the concept “Neramit Amphawa: Mueang Sam Nam – Roi Sai Yai Haeng Chiwit” (literally, “the city of three waters, linking the ties of life”). “Neramit” (literally, “to create”) conveys the idea of giving a place renewed form and experience. “Mueang Sam Nam” (literally, “the city of three waters”) refers to the freshwater, brackish and saltwater environments that shaped Samut Songkhram’s livelihoods, ingredients, food traditions and riverside communities.
In Amphawa, the concept is expressed through five connected elements: Food, representing local flavours, wisdom and cultural diversity; Flow, reflecting movement, continuity and waterside life; Bloom, symbolising renewal and new possibilities; Glow, using light to reinterpret familiar spaces; and Life, placing residents, businesses and visitors at the heart of the event.
Together, these unfold as a continuous nine-point journey. Beginning at Amphawa Floating Market, the main gateway and visual landmark, where light, flowers and water-inspired installations create a distinctive setting by day and after dark. Visitors then follow a connecting walkway towards King Rama II Memorial Park through a “Blooming Walk” of floral displays, light, shadow, installations and interactive lighting.
At King Rama II Memorial Park, the experience opens into an illuminated garden and lifestyle setting with music, acoustic performances, crafts and local products. The route then continues to the main road bridge across the canal, where architectural lighting and creative light effects reshape familiar views of Amphawa at night.
At Rimrabeang Amphawa and nearby riverside buildings, existing architecture enhances the storytelling through light, colour, art and floral installations designed to respect the original structures. The Amphawa Chaipattananurak Project then brings canal-side life into focus, connecting shops, boats and waterside spaces with contemporary light and floral elements.
The journey continues through surrounding green areas with nature-sensitive garden lighting, firefly-inspired effects, interactive elements and lighting trails. It then reaches old Wanwan cinema, where projection, visual storytelling, film and music reinterpret memories of former Amphawa in contemporary form. Lastly, a small canal bridge is magically transformed into a landmark and photo spot through light, flowers and visual references to Amphawa Floating Market, with views from both canal and riverbank.
On the two festival weekends, 11–13 and 18–20 September, the programme expands with dedicated food and stage activities at King Rama II Memorial Park.
The Amazing Amphawa Food Experience brings together up to 60 food, beverage and local-product vendors, highlighting local flavours and goods while creating direct sales opportunities for businesses and communities. Operations follow environmental and sustainable travel principles while reinforcing Samut Songkhram’s positive tourism image.
Stage programmes feature Thai cultural and contemporary performances, retro ramwong dancing (literally, “circle dancing”), music associated with the Suntaraporn tradition and concerts by established Thai artists from the 1990s music scene, including Christina Aguilar, Thai Thanawut, Kwang AB Normal, Jirasak Panphum, Captain Phutanate, Eaky Ekkachai, Tem Wuttisit of U.H.T., and Mos Patiparn.
Neramit Amphawa takes place from 11–20 September 2026, at 16.00–22.00 hrs, across Amphawa Floating Market, King Rama II Memorial Park and connected areas in Samut Songkhram.
