BANGKOK, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blending the charm of Thai cultural heritage with a contemporary lifestyle, the event elevates Thailand's iconic festival onto the global stage under the concept of a "Festive Iconic Landmark of Songkran Culturtainment Destination" in the heart of Bangkok throughout April.
The celebration begins at Central Court, 1st Floor, with World-Class Thai Showcases from April 11–15, 2026. This curated program brings together rare and remarkable Thai cultural performances in one place—from Khon, Hun Lakhon Lek (traditional Thai puppetry), and Nang Yai shadow play, to contemporary interpretations such as the "Sabai with Jeans" fashion showcase. The experience is further enhanced with mini concerts by rising T-Pop artists and a vibrant Mascot Parade featuring beloved elephant characters "Chuenjai–Chaiyo," spreading joy throughout the festival. Visitors can also take part in auspicious activities such as the "Maha Song Nam Phra," featuring sacred Buddha images from five countries, along with Snap & Refresh, where guests can capture moments for a chance to receive vouchers from leading brands within the center.
The excitement continues with the key highlight, "PEPSI Presents THAI LIZM 2026," from April 11–13, transforming the centralwOrld Square into a Summer Beach Club in the heart of the city. Infused with modern Thai pop culture, the event creates a one-of-a-kind "Songkran beach party experience" featuring over 100 artists, including JOEY BOY, TaitosmitH, PROXIE, PERSES, BNK48, and F.HERO. Spanning four experience zones—concert stage, water play zone, chill-out area, and the thrilling PEPSI Giant Slider soaring over 12 meters high—the festival delivers non-stop energy across three full days.
Another standout moment is the three-day consecutive Songkran Parade, marking its first-ever appearance in the city center. Led by Opal Suchata Chuangsri, Miss World 2025, the parade showcases the elegance of Thai culture to a global audience, alongside renowned artists who bring vibrant energy to each day of the celebration.
The festivities continue with "FWD Music Live Fest 5" from April 17–19, along with The Summer Club 2026, further amplifying the city's music and lifestyle scene.
This Songkran, centralwOrld is more than just a place to celebrate—it is a world-class destination for experiences, where entertainment, culture, and Thai Soft Power come together in one iconic location.
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centralwOrld reaffirms its position as a world-class Songkran landmark with the grand celebration "Songkran Culturtainment 2026."
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The First Time a Game in the Legendary Franchise Comes to Consoles
BELLEVUE, Wash., June 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Critically-acclaimed game development studio ArenaNet® tonight announced Guild Wars 3™, the third entry in the legendary and beloved Guild Wars® MMORPG franchise and their first new game since 2012. The game will release globally on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, marking the first time a Guild Wars game will appear on home consoles. The first beta test is scheduled for fall of 2027.
The official debut trailer features the first in-engine gameplay footage and can be viewed HERE. The first concept art and other assets are hosted at the Guild Wars 3 official press kit.
"Guild Wars 3 is a new era not just for ArenaNet and Guild Wars, but also for MMORPGs as a whole," said Colin Johanson, Guild Wars 3 Game Director and ArenaNet Studio Head. "The MMORPG genre has millions of players worldwide eager for new, modern experiences, and the opportunity to harness that excitement is immense. Our approach with Guild Wars 3 is to push MMORPGs forward, to create an online game world that feels believable, rewarding, responsive, and innovative while at the same time respecting players' time and providing a positive, supportive space to build community and enjoy new stories in our universe."
Taking place over a thousand years before the events of the original game, Guild Wars 3 is set in the Tyrian region of Orr, a vast wilderness frontier imbued with the world's magic. Nature entities with strong connections to the land called Vael spirits embody the vitality of this lush, verdant landscape. Various guilds are engaged in conflict over how to protect or exploit the bounty beyond civilization's borders. These multitudinous spirits will vary in size and influence within the ecosystems around them, with the most notable of these being the Seeker. As seen in the trailer, every player's Seeker will serve as a connection to the spirits of Orr and a mount that will carry them on their journeys through the game's open world.
Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, a member of a guild of adventurers committed to preserving and protecting both the spirits of the wild and the land of Orr itself. Through the deep character customization and skill-building gameplay the Guild Wars franchise is known for, players will seek adventure and confront danger across this sumptuous, vibrant online world, growing their relationships with the spirits of the wild, the inhabitants of Orr, and other Vaelwarden players.
A combat system designed from the outset to feel great on both a controller and keyboard rewards positioning by emphasizing the joy of movement and momentum. As players seamlessly transition between various movement modes, they can harness their speed and turn it into bigger damage and impact when fighting their foes.
More information about pricing, beta tests, release date, and gameplay features will be revealed later in 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available directly from the developers at GuildWars3.com, and can be wishlisted on Steam and the PlayStation Store beginning today, with more information available at the game's official website.
About the Guild Wars Franchise
Guild Wars is the award-winning, visually stunning MMORPG franchise that originally launched in 2005 on PC. Boasting a timeless art-brought-to-life aesthetic, the epic grandeur of massive role-playing environments, fast-paced action combat, large-scale dynamic events that players tackle together in the open world, team-based competitive player-versus-player battles, and a sprawling fantasy storyline, the series is often proclaimed as having the friendliest player community in gaming. Guild Wars was relaunched as Guild Wars Reforged in 2025 and expanded to mobile devices in 2026. Guild Wars 2® launched in 2012 on PC and quickly earned accolades across the industry, including Time Magazine's 2012 Game of the Year. Unlike most competitors, the franchise has always been playable with no subscription fee required, welcoming over 29 million players across its history.
About ArenaNet
ArenaNet is the developer of the best-selling Guild Wars Reforged and the groundbreaking Guild Wars 2 massively multiplayer online PC role-playing games. The studio's mission is to create innovative online worlds, cultivate a vibrant and engaged global community of players, and to incorporate handcrafted artistry into every aspect of their games. ArenaNet formed in 2000, with press and fans consistently calling Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 two of the best MMOs and RPGs of all time. Based in Bellevue, WA, ArenaNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korean gaming giant NC.
The First Time a Game in the Legendary Franchise Comes to Consoles
BELLEVUE, Wash., June 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Critically-acclaimed game development studio ArenaNet® tonight announced Guild Wars 3™, the third entry in the legendary and beloved Guild Wars® MMORPG franchise and their first new game since 2012. The game will release globally on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, marking the first time a Guild Wars game will appear on home consoles. The first beta test is scheduled for fall of 2027.
The official debut trailer features the first in-engine gameplay footage and can be viewed HERE. The first concept art and other assets are hosted at the Guild Wars 3 official press kit.
"Guild Wars 3 is a new era not just for ArenaNet and Guild Wars, but also for MMORPGs as a whole," said Colin Johanson, Guild Wars 3 Game Director and ArenaNet Studio Head. "The MMORPG genre has millions of players worldwide eager for new, modern experiences, and the opportunity to harness that excitement is immense. Our approach with Guild Wars 3 is to push MMORPGs forward, to create an online game world that feels believable, rewarding, responsive, and innovative while at the same time respecting players' time and providing a positive, supportive space to build community and enjoy new stories in our universe."
Taking place over a thousand years before the events of the original game, Guild Wars 3 is set in the Tyrian region of Orr, a vast wilderness frontier imbued with the world's magic. Nature entities with strong connections to the land called Vael spirits embody the vitality of this lush, verdant landscape. Various guilds are engaged in conflict over how to protect or exploit the bounty beyond civilization's borders. These multitudinous spirits will vary in size and influence within the ecosystems around them, with the most notable of these being the Seeker. As seen in the trailer, every player's Seeker will serve as a connection to the spirits of Orr and a mount that will carry them on their journeys through the game's open world.
Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, a member of a guild of adventurers committed to preserving and protecting both the spirits of the wild and the land of Orr itself. Through the deep character customization and skill-building gameplay the Guild Wars franchise is known for, players will seek adventure and confront danger across this sumptuous, vibrant online world, growing their relationships with the spirits of the wild, the inhabitants of Orr, and other Vaelwarden players.
A combat system designed from the outset to feel great on both a controller and keyboard rewards positioning by emphasizing the joy of movement and momentum. As players seamlessly transition between various movement modes, they can harness their speed and turn it into bigger damage and impact when fighting their foes.
More information about pricing, beta tests, release date, and gameplay features will be revealed later in 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available directly from the developers at GuildWars3.com, and can be wishlisted on Steam and the PlayStation Store beginning today, with more information available at the game's official website.
About the Guild Wars Franchise
Guild Wars is the award-winning, visually stunning MMORPG franchise that originally launched in 2005 on PC. Boasting a timeless art-brought-to-life aesthetic, the epic grandeur of massive role-playing environments, fast-paced action combat, large-scale dynamic events that players tackle together in the open world, team-based competitive player-versus-player battles, and a sprawling fantasy storyline, the series is often proclaimed as having the friendliest player community in gaming. Guild Wars was relaunched as Guild Wars Reforged in 2025 and expanded to mobile devices in 2026. Guild Wars 2® launched in 2012 on PC and quickly earned accolades across the industry, including Time Magazine's 2012 Game of the Year. Unlike most competitors, the franchise has always been playable with no subscription fee required, welcoming over 29 million players across its history.
About ArenaNet
ArenaNet is the developer of the best-selling Guild Wars Reforged and the groundbreaking Guild Wars 2 massively multiplayer online PC role-playing games. The studio's mission is to create innovative online worlds, cultivate a vibrant and engaged global community of players, and to incorporate handcrafted artistry into every aspect of their games. ArenaNet formed in 2000, with press and fans consistently calling Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 two of the best MMOs and RPGs of all time. Based in Bellevue, WA, ArenaNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korean gaming giant NC.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Guild Wars 3, Modern Evolution of the MMORPG, Announced at Summer Game Fest for PC and PlayStation 5
