Songkran and Covid-19: Water festival to go ahead, despite being terrible for spread of virus

[Borzandy]

2 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

My feeling, and I hope I am wrong, is that Songkran will cause an explosion of Corona virus cases nation wide. It could turn out to be a medical disaster. 

Thais will play Songkran using masks ans saving water.

[Pedrogaz]

5 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

never mind COVID, I am worried about how it will affect the drought.

 

Water pressure in my area has already slowed to a trickle, have had to stop watering the vegetable garden and everything is dying as a result. I shudder to imagine what will happen during and after Songkran.

As I say quality leadership for our betters and higher-ups.

[Tchooptip]

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Tewan said, the government was very concerned for peoples health during songkran !!

Absolute boll+++s, they dont give a rats a++e about anyone other than themselves.

Supposing someone would want to contradict you all the time... this time it would be impossible ????

[TheFishman1]

I remember no riding in back of pickup truck I see that many countries have canceled big sporting events because of the virus Thailand is doing nothing the Shopping malls are packed it’s just a matter of time occurs we will never know the real numbers just like road accidents not reported the real numbers of people that die due to that TIT

[madmen]

Glad I'm going to oz for a year in a few weeks. real health ministers around the world that actually have degrees in their fields will ban flights from Thailand. 

 

They are not stupid they know that this event will cause an explosion of infections even though Thailand will claim that the water flushed away the virus and everything under control 

[theoldgit]

15 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

never mind COVID, I am worried about how it will affect the drought.

 

Water pressure in my area has already slowed to a trickle, have had to stop watering the vegetable garden and everything is dying as a result. I shudder to imagine what will happen during and after Songkran.

 

I flew from KL to Hua Hin recently, as we were approaching Hua Hin I could have been forgiven for thinking we were flying over a desert region, it really was that striking.

[SuwadeeS]

1. Any kind of epidemic or pandemic takes from the beginning through till the end approx. 2 years.

2. That nonsens what somebody said about it will last only a couple of weeks is not true.

3. The most resently published report in Forbes Magazin, tell that these thin paper mask do not protect, because there are holes inside, which a virus can pass easily.

4. Songkran should be cancelled anyway, because of the lack of water. It isn't environment friendly and many people come to close together.

 

[mickey rat]

I'd like to float the idea of extending the holiday an extra 2 days to save tourism. That'll fix it. ????

[zyphodb]

Of course they won't ban Songkran. They are hugely unpopular as it is, if they tried to ban it they'd be ignored, what could they do? Send the tanks into every town and village in the country? Guaranteed nationwide rebellion...

 

[Guderian]

One minister said that the hot sun at Songkran would see the virus off, maybe that's official policy now?

 

Or perhaps the latest brainwave is to try and drown the virus.

[Geoffggi]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The festival - something that has become a national free-for-all water fight in recent years - can't just be cancelled, said officials at a meeting of top level ministers.

 

This is because Songkran is a "People's Festival" celebrated nationwide.

So was Chinese New Year which was held in Thailand but cancelled in China explain this one.....!!!!! The whole government should hang their heads in shame...!!!

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Both shocking and expected. 

Short sighted 

Business interests over basic common sense. 

Fun over basic common sense more accurate.

[Cake Monster]

Sooo predictable. 

" Peoples Festival " my A@%*. A Festival for gouging.

Well this Year there are not somany Tourists to Gouge, so the Gov,t have to gouge their own citizens

It matters not a jot, that this could be the event that triggers an epidemic of Covid19 in the Country

It is common knowledge that germs Etc are transmitted faster and further in WATER

 

[Dumbastheycome]

Early  days! Odds on chances are that by the time Songkran is due there  will be a difference official  opinion.

[spermwhale]

"

The festival - something that has become a national free-for-all water fight in recent years - can't just be cancelled, said officials at a meeting of top level ministers.

 

This is because Songkran is a "People's Festival" celebrated nationwide."

OH YES IT CAN BE CANCELLED. Sometimes I feel Thais act like children. I'm sure they would understand considering the circumstances. They might not like it, but right now an abundance of caution is necessary. This is why so many Thai kids are so completely spoiled. The parents act the same with their kids. They don't want to give them any boundaries to spoil their fun. 

 

 

[NCC1701A]

this means it is guaranteed to be cancelled.

 

enforcing a ban is another thing.

[soalbundy]

They mean it's good for the spread of the virus

[soalbundy]

No need to ban it, nobody will go

[KKr]

3 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

My feeling, and I hope I am wrong, is that Songkran will cause an explosion of Corona virus cases nation wide. It could turn out to be a medical disaster. 

better to get a mask and snorkel before they sell out !!

From SongKran Fashion magazine

[madmitch]

Remember, on Saturday, I believe, the MotoGP was definitely going ahead as a COVID19 free zone.

 

A lot can change quickly in the world hub of u-turns!

[Ventenio]

GREAT!!!  All my friends want to come because of Thailand's super low numbers compared to other countries.

 

I'm not sure if all my 5 million Wuhan friends will make it, but they are able to book plane tickets.   lol.  

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, madmitch said:

Remember, on Saturday, I believe, the MotoGP was definitely going ahead as a COVID19 free zone.

 

A lot can change quickly in the world hub of u-turns!

U-turns? Where A-nut-in here is involved, more likely a MotoGP style hairpin bend.

[Jimbo2014]

I for one will be playing songkran and the virus wont slow me down!

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, Jimbo2014 said:

I for one will be playing songkran and the virus wont slow me down!

My wife's just seen your comprehensive body amour and asked about the price.

Any discount for five sets?

[Redline]

Squirt yourself with water.  Yes, it will all be canceled, unless there is a miracle cure

[MrMo]

2 hours ago, Curt1591 said:

Yes. And once these guidelines are announced, the Thai people will follow them, just as they have all the previous Songkran guidelines.

Yes, you are absolutely correct.   The people will diligently follow the guidelines set.   Such as don't drink and drive, pack no more than 23 people into the back of a pick-up, don't race up / down route 1/2/3/4/5/xxx (actually, with the volume of traffic, the opportunities for such are quite rare), all on a motor bike must wear a crash helmet (does that include the dog ?), don't play / use with your mobile phone while driving.

[Pravda]

If they boil the water the virus will go away. 

[eastendanto]

2 hours ago, CraigInBangkok said:

lets see what happens eh? 

As much as I am not a fan, I think they'd be stupid to cancel it 5 weeks before it happens 

banning it could save a couple of thousand lives from road fatalities during that period.... I could go on and make sarcastic comment(s) about Thai gov and short sightedness blah blah blah, but they do a good enough job themselves

[moe666]

When I saw the headline I knew what the response would be, come on guys it is the only way you will get your wish of folks fallin over dead. No matter how much you complain thais will not take your advise, they will do as they please. Get some beer or what ever your posion is and just have a good time

[anchadian]

Couldn't have worked out better, we'll be in Cape Town for 2 weeks over Songkran.