Thailand Prepares For Songkran 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM wants people to act in line with traditional practices

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont says he wants to see Thai people preserve the traditional practices of Songkran because altering them can cause disunity.

Gen. Surayud presided over the Grand Songkran 2007 yesterday (Apr 8). The event was organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to help restore the traditional practices of Songkran since the festival has drawn in tourists from around the world.

The Prime Minister says he would like Thai people to help protect and value other common practices of the country. He asks people not to distort them as they would create disunity and negative impressions on the national culture and tradition.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

MEA warns of electrical fire incidents during Songkran Festival

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has cautioned the general public against fire incidents during Songkran Festival.

The director of public relations of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Mrs. Darnee Mekkavee (ดารณี เมฆกวี), has warned the public to check their home or store electricity systems before traveling up-country or returning to their hometown. Mrs. Darnee advised travelers to remove electrical plugs for non essential appliances from their outlets.

Mrs. Darnee also suggested that home or office buildings which will not be using electricity during Songkran Festival should disconnect their electricity systems via cutout switches. The director also advised Songkran participants who are wet to be extra cautious when using electrical appliances.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

BMCL celebrates Songkran

The Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) is inviting members of the public to participate in Songkran and National Elder Day celebrations.

The BMCL Director of Event Support and Promotion, Maj Gen Chatchai Praditpong (ชาติชาย ประดิษพงษ์), revealed that the Bangkok Metro Public Company, which operate Bangkok's underground mass transit system, will be celebrating the Songkran Festival by inviting passengers to participate in meritorious bathing ceremonies for Buddha images.

The Buddha image bathing ceremonies will take place at 9 subway stations, including the Hua Lampong, Sukhumvit, Rama 9, Thailand Cultural Center, Lad Phrao, Phahon Yothin, Chatuchak Park, and Bang Sue stations. The ceremonies will take place from April 9-13 from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

NCCD campaigns for road safety at Mo Chit Bus terminal

The National Command Center for Drugs (NCCD) arranges activities to campaign for road safety during Songkran Festival at the Mo Chit (หมอชิต) 2nd Bus Terminal. Stickers with words on safe driving of the revered monk Luang Phor Khoon are distributed to commuters. NCCD also warns them not to deliver packages for other people as the packages might contain drugs.

Deputy Minister of Interior and NCCD Deputy Director, Banyat Chansenah (บัญญัติ จันทน์เสนะ) informs that NCCD has also launched a project on the prevention of drugs during Songkran Festival this year. The project is scheduled to be implemented from April 9th – 17th. It has received cooperation from relevant units working on campaigns for safety during the festival.

The deputy minister says NCCD has cooperated with the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Transport Co.,Ltd., and actors in giving out Luang Phor Khoon’s stickers aimed at creating road safety awareness.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Army Chief confident in security precautions for Songkran

The Army Chief is confident police and military personnel will be capable of ensuring security during the Songkran Festival.

The Commander in Chief of the Army, and member of the Council for National Security (CNS), Gen Boonsarng Neampradit (บุญสร้าง เนียมประดิษฐ์ ), reported on security measures for the Songkran Festival. Gen Boonsarng affirmed that police and military personnel were ready to perform their duties, adding that no reports of possible violent activities have surfaced.

The Commander in Chief of the Army assured the public that police and military units would work to ensure their safey and convenience, and wished Songkran holidaymakers a fun vacation. Gen Boonsarng said that road accidents are a point of concern for authorities, due to difficulties in regulating motor traffic.

The Army Chief asked the media and the public to campaign for safe driving, and welcomed opinions and suggestions to improve road safety.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Pattani gears up security for Songkran Festival

Pattani has established a project to safeguard the homes of local residents, as well as a road safety checkpoint program, for the Songkran Festival.

Pattani Governor Panu Uthairat (ภาณุ อุทัยรัตน์ ) revealed that the province has set up 29 road safety checkpoints on roads in 12 districts to monitor vehicles during the Songkran holidays. The province has set a target of no more than 3 deaths and 31 injuries.

The governor added that the province has also launched a project to safeguard residences, especially those belonging to 200 families living in insurgency-prone areas. The province has dispatched security officials to patrol local areas around the clock.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

THAI ready to serve passengers during Songkran

Thai Airways (THAI) affirms it is ready to serve passengers during the Songkran Festival, with the addition of more flights and larger airplanes.

The Director of Risk Management to Thai Airways, Mr. Suraphol Issarangura Na Ayuddhaya (สุรพล อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา), assured that the airline company has set policy to ensure that passengers will not be left stranded. Mr. Suraphol said that flights to the northern, and northeastern regions would be increased, and larger aircrafts might be deployed.

The director said that passengers who cannot book seats can record their names at the airport and the company will consider providing them seating on bigger aircrafts.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Si Sa Ket pleads businesses to stop selling alcoholic drinks during Songkran

Si Sa Ket province asks vendors not to sell alcoholic beverages along the streets during Songkran holidays.

Mr. Sombun Pew-on, the Excise officer of Si Sa Ket, says many people usually visit tourist destinations or travel to their residences during long holidays such as Songkran. Therefore, traffic would be more congested and there are more chances for road accidents to occur.

Mr. Sombun says drunk driving is one of the causes of road accident. He says the Excise Department is asking business operators to stop selling alcoholic beverages during April 11th to 17th to promote road safety.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Authority pose ban on the use of colored chalks to celebrate Songkran Festival

The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) is calling on the public not to use powder and colored chalks during Songkran festivities this year.

OCBP Secretary Rassamee Wisawathawet (รัศมี วิศทเวทย์) encourageed people to stick to Thai traditional water-splashing traditions when celebrating Songkran. This year, the authority has campaigned against the use of colored chalks as they might contain heavy metal substances as an element. The substances might cause irritation to the skin and inflammation to the eye.

According to the secretary, the authorities will enforce a ban on sidewalk vendors selling colored chalks and high-pressure water guns. Those who violate the ban will be fined a maximum of 2,000 baht.

The secretary also calls for people who attended Songkran activities to dress properly and beware of their belongings.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Phuket Governor tells officials to tighten safety for tourists and travelers

The Deputy Governor of Phuket, Mr. Worapot Rattasima (วรพจน์ รัฐสีมา), led a group of state officials and representatives from the private sector to receive blessings from Phuket Governor Nirand Kalayanamitr (นิรันดร์ กัลยาณมิตร) on the occasion of Songkran, or Thai New Year.

Mr. Nirand invites public members and tourists to join the water celebration of Songkran and asks them to perform in line with the traditional practices in order to preserve the Thai tradition and to reduce the number of road accidents. Mr. Nirand has assigned the district-chief officers of Phuket to administer road safety in the province. Tourist operators have been told to check the readiness of safety equipments such as life vests and fire distinguishers. Mr. Nirand says CCTV can help officials in Phuket to keep a close watch in different tourist destinations.

Mr. Nirand wishes for all travelers and tourists to have a safe and happy trip during Songkran.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[john128]

9th April>> All males reaching 21 in our Amphur (may be slightly different date elsewhere but always around Sonkran) go to town and randomly selected to join AF/Army/Navy. (usually using coloured ball system).

Those selected get drunk with their families/friends before going back to work and preparing to join.

Those not selected CELEBRATE...getting drunk with friends/family etc.

This year only one in our village selected...(going to the Navy)...Celebrations in my house to ensure no-one has to drive anywhere!!

If the Thai government want to crack down on drunk driving during Sonkran then Move this activity to another time of the year....oh they can't because the kids only get 1 week off a year...come home at New Year or Sonkran but very rarely both unless they are Very Wealthy!

Just wanted to point this fact out to those who might not know!