Songkran and its annual warnings

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Songkran and its annual warnings

By The Nation

 

Have a great time – but do so responsibly and respectfully

 

That time of year has come again, when millions of Thais and visiting tourists celebrate the Songkran festival.

 

There is a traditional way of celebrating it, but the attention is always on the more exciting side of Songkran – the riotous splashing of water that has earned the Thai festival a global reputation as “the world’s biggest water fight”. Almost a million tourists are expected to arrive during the long holidays this year.

 

It’s a time of fun and joy for which locals and tourists alike have been waiting patiently. But for others, it’s also a period of aggressive water splashing, lewd behaviour and, mainly among male revellers, a chance to indulge in sexual harassment.

 

Authorities are again appealing for a “polite Songkran”. Revellers are urged to abstain from alcohol and high-pressure water guns that can cause harm, particularly when aimed at the eyes. Authorities are also warning that sexual harassment and molestation are tantamount to violating the rights of others and thus illegal.

 

A senior official at the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development has urged male revellers to respect women’s rights by refraining from sexually harassing them. She asked onlookers to report such incidents to the authorities, rather than blaming the women victims because of the way they dress while celebrating Songkran.

 

The official’s remarks reflect a view expressed recently by many people in show business. In an online campaign, they disputed the notion that women share part of the blame because they wear “sexy” attire that attracts the attackers’ attention. Their messages on the social media contain the hashtags #donttellmehowtodress and #tellmentorespect.

 

Many revellers celebrate the festival by consuming large amounts of alcohol and then going out into the streets to smear talcum powder on the faces and bodies of attractive women who come their way.

 

They use Songkran as an excuse to molest women. Of course, many celebrants dab powder on others’ faces playfully, but some have only malign intent. Such practices should always be discouraged. They can only lead to complaints of sexual harassment during the water festival.

 

Women celebrants should bear in mind that, among the men roaming the streets, there are some who are looking for “prey”. These opportunistic “hunters” will just as readily sexually harass women who are fully and properly dressed.

 

They are irresponsible louts who cannot control themselves and usually have consumed so much alcohol that their conscience and sense of responsibility are numbed. It’s these kinds of people who should face legal action.

 

The police need to enforce the law to discourage such behaviour. Fellow revellers should get involved if they see lewd and illegal acts being committed and report them to police or any other nearby authority.

 

Women should in no way be blamed if they’re molested or harassed by sex-crazed men. Their manner of dress should not be a factor. But they do have to bear in mind that certain men become aroused at the sight of women sexily dressed and might also be drunk and lacking in self-control.

 

It is a woman’s choice as to what to wear, but their decision should be based on the realities of the rowdy situation in the streets.

 

It’s better to celebrate Songkran in a gentle, traditional way, displaying responsibility and respect for others. You still have as much fun – and none of the risk of injury or unpleasantness.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30343028

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-12

 

[YetAnother]

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

but do so responsibly and respectfully

sensible,reasonable advice; pity tho, neither of these attributes are prominent in today's thai behavior;

add the likely thai response: 'i am on holiday'; mix in alcohol and you get Mai Pen Rai; meaning : i determine what is important, not you

[mok199]

daily songkran warnings , blood donations needed , road carnage doubled , sexual harassment warnings , water shortaged imenent , let the good times roll....Amazing Thailand..

[Samui Bodoh]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

...Women should in no way be blamed if they’re molested or harassed by sex-crazed men. Their manner of dress should not be a factor...

I think this is something that all Songkran revelers should remember; Women have just as many rights to participate in Songkran as men and they should not have to tolerate drunken groping or the like. Men- if you are unable to simply look and enjoy the stunning beauty of Thai women, stay home for a lonely five-fingered date.

 

I hope all members have a truly lovely Songkran, no matter how and where you celebrate it!

 

Happy New Year all!

[JOC]

22 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

sensible,reasonable advice; pity tho, neither of these attributes are prominent in today's thai behavior;

add the likely thai response: 'i am on holiday'; mix in alcohol and you get Mai Pen Rai; meaning : i determine what is important, not you

This not only Thai behavior...

Plenty of trailer park farangs involved in the "fun".... Leaving their rented room for a day

Only on solution to avoid the craziness....Stock up and stay home...!!

Look at this idiot using a high pressure washer......Brain dead..!!

 

[cornishcarlos]

5 minutes ago, JOC said:

This not only Thai behavior...

Plenty of trailer park farangs involved in the "fun".... Leaving their rented room for a day

Only on solution to avoid the craziness....Stock up and stay home...!!

Look at this idiot using a high pressure washer......Brain dead..!!

 

But he IS Thai !!

[ezzra]

Whatever you do, don't smoke and drive, smoking kills....

[Lungstib]

Traveling at 70kph on my m'bike and hit with a bucketful of cold water I somehow missed the joy and fun of a respectful, traditional ceremony granting me good luck for the coming year.  

[metisdead]

A post containing inflammatory comments directed at another member has been removed as well as a reply. 

[Anak Nakal]

Warning is good, but many many people die.

Bad to have danger holiday!

[alex8912]

2 hours ago, JOC said:

 This not only Thai behavior...

Plenty of trailer park farangs involved in the "fun".... Leaving their rented room for a day

Only on solution to avoid the craziness....Stock up and stay home...!!

Look at this idiot using a high pressure washer......Brain dead..!!

 

That is an interesting remark because all of the 5 star ( trailer) hotels in Bangkok are full of people coming to celebrate and have fun and they are mostly educated people with money to spend.  Must be a blast to be afraid to go out and enjoy in the revelry and be angry instead. 

[Jeremy50]

2 hours ago, JOC said:

This not only Thai behavior...

Plenty of trailer park farangs involved in the "fun".... Leaving their rented room for a day

Only on solution to avoid the craziness....Stock up and stay home...!!

Look at this idiot using a high pressure washer......Brain dead..!!

 

'Trailer park farangs' 555.  Same trailer different park.  

[JSixpack]

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

sensible,reasonable advice; pity tho, neither of these attributes are prominent in today's thai behavior;

add the likely thai response: 'i am on holiday'; mix in alcohol and you get Mai Pen Rai; meaning : i determine what is important, not you

 

Watch me crash her bike! Sensible farang determining priorities for selfish Thai woman.

Edited April 12, 2018 by JSixpack

[Jonmarleesco]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

their ... sense of responsibility ... numbed.

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