33 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Yes agreed. I very reluctantly traveled to a funeral 2 weeks ago. Half of our village also attended and there were folks there from a number of different areas, including from the south. And as always there was no opportunity for 'social distancing'.  (did we ever use that term before?)

 

It could have been the 'perfect storm'. Just one person from an area with C19 could have spread it out into the Issan area, where so far, to my knowledge, there have been no cases.

 

There was one upside to the event. To maintain my own personal 'social distancing, I opted to travel solo on my motorcycle and had a really great 300kms round trip. ????

 

Songkran was my big concern too and I was very glad to read that they decided to 'bite the bullet' on that one.

Wait until the bar girls return home cause of no work 

4 minutes ago, ianezy0 said:

I can only imagine how many motorcyclists lives will be saved as a result of this cancellation ????

Why should it? Sadly that goes on, day in day out, whether there's a holiday or not.

‘Cock fighting arenas’ - Barbarians or Neanderthals! I thought it was illegal.

3 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

I agree with cancelling Songkran (more the crazy Farang water fights) but How can you change what dates you celebrate New Year?

 

Surelt it’s set in terms of what date the full moon is etc... or is NASA going to push that back ? 

You can't change the phase of the moon, but you can cancel holidays which usually means mass travel for many people. Can you imagine the fall-out from thousands leaving the cities, using mass transport systems to go home to families nationwide.

This is a smart move... kiss the New year celebrations goodbye for this year, but a holiday period in Lieu will be given when things get back to normality.

43 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

And as always there was no opportunity for 'social distancing'.  (did we ever use that term before?)

I think it was called personal territory before the corona. I prefer about 10 square kilometers of space from me to the next neighbour, as minimum.

 

Somewhat strange seeing people whining about two week quarantines and having to stay home. Pfft, I've been quarantined at home in Thailand since 2007. Ok occasionally might've snuck out for supplies and entertainment.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!  Best holiday of the year!

What is this I see? ... farangs wearing masks! can this be?

 

2 hours ago, mrfill said:

Nothing to do with the moon. It used to be on March 1st in Roman times. That's why October suggests eighth month although it is now (Gregorian calendar) the tenth. It is also why a leap year day is at the end of February. It was the last day of the year.

So it's not NASA you need to nag, it is Pope Gregory XIII. Unfortunately, he croaked in 1585 so the reply may be delayed somewhat.

Always thought the Thai New Year was tied to the phases of the moon (something to do with the 5th waning moon) just like Chinese New Year is.

 

my point is you can’t really change the date of the celebration (that would be like Changing the date of Easter), but I take the point of cancelling the holidays to discourage people traveling home.

 

Need to have another holiday to replace it but it can’t be called Songkran... 

Corona Festival....

Great news. Should be cancelled every year. 

The festival of death.

55 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

You can't change the phase of the moon, but you can cancel holidays which usually means mass travel for many people. Can you imagine the fall-out from thousands leaving the cities, using mass transport systems to go home to families nationwide.

This is a smart move... kiss the New year celebrations goodbye for this year, but a holiday period in Lieu will be given when things get back to normality.

Not so simple. Thousands upon thousands come back for Songkran, then remain, to plough their land, plant the rice in May if there has been any rain, and then return to bangkok. Nothing will change this year!   Most won't even be aware of any problems.

1 minute ago, prakhonchai nick said:

   Most won't even be aware of any problems.

Not the brightest are they?

2 hours ago, PumpkinEater said:

CNN calls is a pandemic (ratings),

 

I believe, CNN and others are calling it a "pandemic" because the WHO has officially declared it a "pandemic."  So perhaps you should take up your complaint with the WHO.

 

1 hour ago, Rodjrin said:

‘Cock fighting arenas’ - Barbarians or Neanderthals! I thought it was illegal.

I thought it was illegal also 

4 hours ago, alant said:

Bars open from 5 pm to 8 pm, not sure I see the point.

Will that be food establishments as well?

Will people still be able to buy a beer and sit outside a seven eleven at 10 pm?

Don't worry, a drunkard will always find his place .......????

What was once an honorable religious ceremony has devolved into mayhem and death. In many ways Thailand has moved into the modern world but Song Kran is a disgusting, uncivilized blemish on that progress. Should be canceled permanently but I have no illusions that'll happen since it rakes in the Baht.

1 hour ago, fishtank said:

Great news. Should be cancelled every year. 

The festival of death.

Not to mention the smart logic of literally throwing millions of gallons of water away during the hottest season, often during a drought 

Whatever new rules are made , I predict they will revoke them very soon...

5 hours ago, miamiman123 said:

“The compensating holidays to be announced later”...depending on the amount of compensation??

hehe u got it! 

The Thai labor laws are much better protection then you have in the USA, so don't be afraid.

https://covidtracker.5lab.co/en?case=81&fbclid=IwAR022lizU5gr3ershpvTB9hch47zGXE68JJ6R6KzYbqxhbZUjjEt4pDljF8

Guess we'll have daytime gogos. It works in America. Hope it catches on. I'm usually yawning by 9 p.m.

What?!?! You mean no dirty and/or freezing cold water being thrown over everybody - even those who are obviously on their way to work?!?! Oh, what a bore... ????

that may be the best decision under the circumstances. many events are being postponed and even cancelled due to the impact of the covid-19

13 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Good. That what everyone in Thailand needs to see. Positive action.

 

Action speaks louder than words.

there are ome people not satisfied with this action - how to please all.

7 hours ago, wasabi said:

What was once an honorable religious ceremony has devolved into mayhem and death. In many ways Thailand has moved into the modern world but Song Kran is a disgusting, uncivilized blemish on that progress. Should be canceled permanently but I have no illusions that'll happen since it rakes in the Baht.

or revived with its original charm and dignity.

15 hours ago, prakhonchai nick said:

Not so simple. Thousands upon thousands come back for Songkran, then remain, to plough their land, plant the rice in May if there has been any rain, and then return to bangkok. Nothing will change this year!   Most won't even be aware of any problems.

Okay.... 

How will the daily wage workers survive without  their daily wages?

People will not accept starvation and mass eviction when they cannot pay rent.

 

2 hours ago, sahibji said:

15 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Good. That what everyone in Thailand needs to see. Positive action.

 

Action speaks louder than words.

 

2 hours ago, sahibji said:

there are ome people not satisfied with this action - how to please all.

There's a well known phrase, which shortened down so as not to bore you too much goes:

 

'-------------You cannot please all of the people all of the time'.

 

Edit: All you have to do is to read this forum to realize that!

 

 

9 hours ago, wasabi said:

What was once an honorable religious ceremony has devolved into mayhem and death. In many ways Thailand has moved into the modern world but Song Kran is a disgusting, uncivilized blemish on that progress. Should be canceled permanently but I have no illusions that'll happen since it rakes in the Baht.

In much of rural Thailand, it does indeed remain as a respectful cultural/religious period. With plenty of fun thrown in. I myself have been one those honoured elders who have blessed with water by the younger members of the community and I felt very proud to have shown such respect.

 

It's the behaviour in the cities that has distorted the image of Songkran.

2 good 2 b true, the <deleted> will never miss a chance to shoot at my eyes

when i drive motorcycle, ever