Songkran: Throwing water can land you in jail, say top lawyers

[rabas]

1 hour ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

It isnt really a water festival, its new years, water plays a very symbolic role in Buddhism and on this most auspicious day people head to temple to pour water over Buddhas statue and then over the hands of the young and old, as symbolism of change bringing new beginnings, that is the link to the water fights, nothing traditional about it.

 

The water fight nonsense is a modern invention and cutting it down will not see the festival lose anything anymore than Christmas would remain Christmas without as much marzipan.

No, Water Festivals are traditional holidays common to many South Asian countries from India all the way to the Dai in China. Traditions vary but most are in mid April.  The word ‘Songkran’ derives from the ancient Sanskrit word “Sankranti,” and both Loy Krathong and Songkran are linked to Indian festivals. Holi is probably the most well-known Indian Festival among foreigners  — which involves throwing coloured powder and water at each other. It’s a celebration of spring and usually takes place in March. Thailand's Songkran is restricted to white powder though people of Indian descent may use colored powers.

 

High powered water guns, surgical tubing, and silent high altitude water bombs (which I helped develop) are a more aggressive form with Western influence. But the traditions are ancient.

 

[malibukid]

4 hours ago, losername said:

"Songkran: Throwing water can land you in jail, say top lawyers".

So it damn well should.  

best to get a much shopping done before 11am.

[Golden Triangle]

4 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

I have an old Thai male friend, about 75, speaks very good english, probably the only Thai male that I've ever really known after 20+ years in Thailand.

 

Maybe this is common knowledge, but he confirms that when he was a lad Songkhran was one a one day event, and only a sprinkle of water was "applied", mainly to elders.

 

Maybe today's version has been over-commercialised, as has Christmas in the West?!

I want my Easter egg, even if they advertise it in February ????

[malibukid]

4 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

I have an old Thai male friend, about 75, speaks very good english, probably the only Thai male that I've ever really known after 20+ years in Thailand.

 

Maybe this is common knowledge, but he confirms that when he was a lad Songkhran was one a one day event, and only a sprinkle of water was "applied", mainly to elders.

 

Maybe today's version has been over-commercialised, as has Christmas in the West?!

it's the idiots from the West who come here and party party.  stay home.  got to Ft. Lauderdale or wherever your dim witted friends hang.

[Kieran00001]

58 minutes ago, 4675636b596f75 said:

I make it my business to always leave something in the elevator.  I wish you Brits would learn the proper term the contraption, it's an elevator, not a lift.

 

We already had lifts when your lot were still living in wigwams.

[ttrd]

1 hour ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

Your question was...

 

"Wonder how it should be proved that ice-cubes has been used in the water as they tend to disappear … "

 

But now you are talking about 15c water, try 0c water, i think you will find it capable of leaving a signiture rather than just a cold suprise.

 

Hard to optain 0 degree celsius in a bucket or a barrel by add some ice cubes in temperated/lukewarm water when the outside temperature is +40 degree celsius - do the Math … 

[Benmart]

4 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

I have an old Thai male friend, about 75, speaks very good english, probably the only Thai male that I've ever really known after 20+ years in Thailand.

 

Maybe this is common knowledge, but he confirms that when he was a lad Songkhran was one a one day event, and only a sprinkle of water was "applied", mainly to elders.

 

Maybe today's version has been over-commercialised, as has Christmas in the West?!

Money, profit and the accompanying corruption has replaced traditional values and customs. Thais allow it, support it and profit from it. I doubt all the edicts, proclamations, warnings, pleas or laws can alter that self-serving behavior. 

[direction BANGKOK]

Whoever wrote this has never actually walked down the street during songkran. I never saw anyone get hauled off. 

[balo]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Case 1: You say you don't want to play, you are on your way to do something....but you get wet all the same.

If you can show that you did not want to take part and were soaked then Article 397 has been contravened.

This can lead to a one month jail term for the perpetrator and or a 10,000 baht fine. 

Good,  I will bring an officer and a lawyer with me when I enter Soi Boakaow, Pattaya to have lunch next week.

Charge them 10 000 baht and arrest them all so I can have the place for myself.  

 

 

[ujayujay]

????????????Lawyers discover a new Source.....

[Kieran00001]

15 minutes ago, rabas said:

No, Water Festivals are traditional holidays common to many South Asian countries from India all the way to the Dai in China. Traditions vary but most are in mid April.  The word ‘Songkran’ derives from the ancient Sanskrit word “Sankranti,” and both Loy Krathong and Songkran are linked to Indian festivals. Holi is probably the most well-known Indian Festival among foreigners  — which involves throwing coloured powder and water at each other. It’s a celebration of spring and usually takes place in March. Thailand's Songkran is restricted to white powder though people of Indian descent may use colored powers.

 

High powered water guns, surgical tubing, and silent high altitude water bombs (which I helped develop) are a more aggressive form with Western influence. But the traditions are ancient.

 

 

Holi is also not a water festival, it is a festival of good triumphing over evil, it starts with a bonfire where the demon kings sister is burned and ends with powders being thrown, the water you can see today being thrown in some, quite limited, regions is a modern adaption.  This is much like in Thailand where the tradition of pouring water over your parents hands has evolved in recent times into the main event of the festival for some revellers..  Anyway, the forefather of Songkran is not Holi, it is Makar Sankranti, which is Hindu's New Year and festival to welcome the coming harvest, exactly the same as Songkran.  Songkrans water element borrows from the Hindu tradition of ritualistic bathing, nothing at all to do with Holi's throwing of powder paint, despite the modern festivals similar appearance.  The white powder you see in Thailand is a Buddhist thing, monks use chalk to scribe blessings, whereas Holi uses powder paint in reference to Vishnu's embarressment of his blue face, they really have nothing in common.  The Dai festival is much the same as Songkran, the tradition of water consists of ritualistically bathing Buddha before pouring water over the hands of children, the water fight is also a modern addaption in China just like in Thailand.  It would most certainly not have occured in previous times due to the simple fact that the festival is an appreciation of water and treated like a prayer that the rainy season will begin, people appreciated water as they regularly suffered droughts.  They stored water all dry season, walked miles carrying a bowl to wash their icon with, they would not have then wastef a load of water, that is something that arrived with mains water.

[Jim7777]

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Yes, but this is Thailand. if you walk into the cop shop and want to press charges for being doused, they are going to laugh at you.

It would be interesting to know how many times, if ever, any of these charges have ended up in court.

 

Uh yeah this article sounds like bitter bullshit to me.  I’m sure the cops would get right on it if you reported getting wet on Songkran lol ????.  And if you’re out on the street during Songkran carrying important items unprotected or not in a water proofed bag then you’re a <deleted>($ing retard.  

 

Although obviously sexual assault, rape, and child molesting should NEVER OCCUR AT ANY TIME TO ANYONE.  I don’t understand why they would even consider Songkran to be a potential exception for anything as heinous as that.  

 

As far as getting wet it’s Songkran and this is Thailand if you don’t want to get wet then stay home.  

[Kieran00001]

45 minutes ago, ttrd said:

Hard to optain 0 degree celsius in a bucket or a barrel by add some ice cubes in temperated/lukewarm water when the outside temperature is +40 degree celsius - do the Math … 

 

What are you on about?  Ice is 0c, people throw buckets of water with ice in, that can and does injure people, this is hardly rocket science.

[tandor]

...no mention of the most dangerous of all stupid acts...throwing water at persons on a moving motor cycle.

[Cranky]

42 minutes ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

Holi is also not a water festival, it is a festival of good triumphing over evil, it starts with a bonfire where the demon kings sister is burned and ends with powders being thrown, the water you can see today being thrown in some, quite limited, regions is a modern adaption.  This is much like in Thailand where the tradition of pouring water over your parents hands has evolved in recent times into the main event of the festival for some revellers..  Anyway, the forefather of Songkran is not Holi, it is Makar Sankranti, which is Hindu's New Year and festival to welcome the coming harvest, exactly the same as Songkran.  Songkrans water element borrows from the Hindu tradition of ritualistic bathing, nothing at all to do with Holi's throwing of powder paint, despite the modern festivals similar appearance.  The white powder you see in Thailand is a Buddhist thing, monks use chalk to scribe blessings, whereas Holi uses powder paint in reference to Vishnu's embarressment of his blue face, they really have nothing in common.  The Dai festival is much the same as Songkran, the tradition of water consists of ritualistically bathing Buddha before pouring water over the hands of children, the water fight is also a modern addaption in China just like in Thailand.  It would most certainly not have occured in previous times due to the simple fact that the festival is an appreciation of water and treated like a prayer that the rainy season will begin, people appreciated water as they regularly suffered droughts.  They stored water all dry season, walked miles carrying a bowl to wash their icon with, they would not have then wastef a load of water, that is something that arrived with mains water.

Fascinating.

[rascalman]

OK I have been here for long time, am old now and I get it. Yet if I go out I'm a target, though at night they stop. I don't want see all the drunks, especially the young foreigners throwing dirty water, fighting etc. Acting like animals. 

My hope is fewer die on the roads. But they do get killed in big numbers. You all have fun, I will be here I hope. 

 

[ttrd]

1 hour ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

Holi is also not a water festival, it is a festival of good triumphing over evil, it starts with a bonfire where the demon kings sister is burned and ends with powders being thrown, the water you can see today being thrown in some, quite limited, regions is a modern adaption.  This is much like in Thailand where the tradition of pouring water over your parents hands has evolved in recent times into the main event of the festival for some revellers..  Anyway, the forefather of Songkran is not Holi, it is Makar Sankranti, which is Hindu's New Year and festival to welcome the coming harvest, exactly the same as Songkran.  Songkrans water element borrows from the Hindu tradition of ritualistic bathing, nothing at all to do with Holi's throwing of powder paint, despite the modern festivals similar appearance.  The white powder you see in Thailand is a Buddhist thing, monks use chalk to scribe blessings, whereas Holi uses powder paint in reference to Vishnu's embarressment of his blue face, they really have nothing in common.  The Dai festival is much the same as Songkran, the tradition of water consists of ritualistically bathing Buddha before pouring water over the hands of children, the water fight is also a modern addaption in China just like in Thailand.  due to the simple fact that the festival is an appreciation of water and treated like a prayer that the rainy season will begin, people appreciated water as they regularly suffered droughts.  They stored water all dry season, walked miles carrying a bowl to wash their icon with, they would not have then wastef a load of water, that is something that arrived with mains water.

RE -  It would most certainly not have occured in previous times

 

Well, the history does not agree With you on that one - water play from the very beginning …. 

 

History and Origin of Songkran

History of the festival traditions originate with the blessings and prayers for Buddhist Monks. Ancient Thai tradition warranted visiting the local monasteries and providing gifts of food to the monks who resided there. In addition, prayers and blessings of scented water poured over the monks during a holy cleansing process. The locals would collect the poured water and bring it back to their loved ones and friends. The local population would then rub and pour the water over one another as they believed the water to be blessed.

 

http://www.puretravel.com/Guide/The_Seven_Wonders_according_to_PureTravel/Seven_Wonders;_Festivals_Worldwide/Songkran_Water_Festival

[Rally123]

Riding on the back of a pick up is illegal but who gives....................

[ttrd]

Just now, Rally123 said:

Riding on the back of a pick up is illegal but who gives....................

Its not illegal in Thailand - The rule was tried changed prior to the New Year celebration (dec 2018), but it was found impossible to be enforced …  

[Rally123]

1 minute ago, ttrd said:

it was found impossible to be enforced …  

Irrespective. It is illegal to sit on the back of a pick up. Up to those idle B's if they don't wanna enforce it.

[alex8912]

4 hours ago, Celer et Audax said:

This is a holiday weekend and I am off work until next Thursday
I like to ride my motorbike and take trips when I’m not working why should I not have a right to ride my motorbike?
Please explain


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

You can ride your bike wherever but there are certain places where water fighting takes place that  motorbikes seem to often get wet and sometimes  it can cause danger. Don’t you know that about Songkran? Maybe it’s your first year here. Guys on TVF complain about it ad nausea.  

[Kieran00001]

5 minutes ago, ttrd said:

RE -  It would most certainly not have occured in previous times

 

Well, the history does not agree With you on that one …. 

 

History and Origin of Songkran

History of the festival traditions originate with the blessings and prayers for Buddhist Monks. Ancient Thai tradition warranted visiting the local monasteries and providing gifts of food to the monks who resided there. In addition, prayers and blessings of scented water poured over the monks during a holy cleansing process. The locals would collect the poured water and bring it back to their loved ones and friends. The local population would then rub and pour the water over one another as they believed the water to be blessed.

 

http://www.puretravel.com/Guide/The_Seven_Wonders_according_to_PureTravel/Seven_Wonders;_Festivals_Worldwide/Songkran_Water_Festival

 

Did you read what I wrote or just the one line?  What you posted is an example of people being careful with water, they carried it to the temple to spill some on the monks heads, then they collected it and took it home to anoint their family with, which is clearlh quite different to throwing it around carefree, which is what I was claiming would not have ocurred prior to mains water.

[Kieran00001]

11 minutes ago, ttrd said:

Its not illegal in Thailand - The rule was tried changed prior to the New Year celebration (dec 2018), but it was found impossible to be enforced …  

 

I thought it was due to all the petitions from schools claiming without pickups there would be no trips out.  Why would it be any different to enforce than any other traffic law?

[dcnx]

Another Somchai teaching for his 15 mins of internet fame.

[sunnyboy2018]

7 hours ago, aussiandrew said:

It's one time of the year when no no means yes yes to getting wet and wild.. Enjoy or stay inside...

Or leave the country

[ttrd]

40 minutes ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

I thought it was due to all the petitions from schools claiming without pickups there would be no trips out.  Why would it be any different to enforce than any other traffic law?

It was due to the fact that the Public transport was not sufficiently developed to meet the significant demand it would be if the Law was enforced ...  

[Kieran00001]

54 minutes ago, Rally123 said:

Irrespective. It is illegal to sit on the back of a pick up. Up to those idle B's if they don't wanna enforce it.

 

According to you, however according the police government spokesman, you are allowed to carry 6 people in the back.

[keystonecoppers2]

       If they could only get back to the way it was, long time ago, with respect and 

       dignity as it was then, all would be well. It has just become a frenzy and it will not

       change back to what it was, ever..  Everything is lost!     

[SiSePuede419]

Inhaling water can be deadly. ????

[Kieran00001]

8 minutes ago, ttrd said:

It was due to the fact that the Public transport was not sufficiently developed to meet the significant demand it would be if the Law was enforced ...  

 

Right, i cant find that in the news, all i can see are references to complaints it received. 

 

Why would it put further demand on checkposts?  They stop pickups to check documents already, it would not be a significsntly higher demand for them to issue another ticket, sorry but that makes no sense and i will go with the reason reported in the news and which does make sense.