Songkran: PM says he can't stop the party but warns it'll be "less fun" - Khao San expect 5000 people

Picture: Daily News

Daily News reported on the prospects of Songkran taking place next month after the traditional Thai New Year was wiped out last year in the pandemic. 

But while it will certainly be allowed to happen in some form this year the raucous water splashing parties of previous years are very unlikely to be approved, notes Thaivisa. 

Not least of all because there are virtually no foreign tourists in Thailand at the moment and Thais may still be unwilling to let their hair down to any great degree. 

After a meeting of the cabinet at Government House prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said that he had ordered a sub-committee of the CCSA (Covid authority) to come up with measures to be discussed by the main CCSA committee next week. 

His message to the people was that his government had been keeping a close watch on everything whether good or bad for the prospects of having Songkran this year.

His feeling was that the Covid-19 situation had improved sufficiently for it to go ahead in some form but he cautioned that it would be less fun than in some years but that he could not stop the festival from going ahead. 

Meanwhile Manager reported that the business association chief of Khao San Road in Bangkok announced that a three day event would be held there from April 13th to 15th.

The time would be limited to 3 pm to 8 pm for the celebration though exactly what form that would take is yet to be ironed out.

An indication of what the celebration might be like was that the first day will be taken up by a merit making and alms giving ceremony - a traditional and staid Thai event. 

This is a far cry from pictures of water throwing and water gun activities of past years published on the Manager site. 

However, Sanga Seuangwatanakul was upbeat about the three day event in the tourist area saying that all Covid-19 protocols would be followed.

He indicated that a limit of 5,000 participants at any one time may be imposed.

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-11

 

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2 minutes ago, webfact said:

he could not stop the festival from going ahead. 

He uses whatever methods he can to try and stop demonstrators asking for democracy, but he can't stop an event that could well start another Covid wave !

Pathetic.  

Hee-haw eeyore

1 hour ago, webfact said:

saying that all Covid-19 protocols would be followed.

not the slightest chance that social distancing will obtain

He had been waiving Article 44 for so long, what happened, is he getting soft, how will he respond when the next wave happens, what will be his excuse then, "I told you, I couldn't stop you, you brought this upon yourselves" I am now vaccinated, so best go and get yours.

Protesters Article 44 applies to you, don't you dare !

No sanook, no want, Khup! 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Songkran: PM says he can't stop the party but warns it'll be "less fun" - Khao San expect 5000 people

I'm sure he must have some alcohol spray left over from spraying those journalists. He could use that  pro-actively and spray a few songkran revellers, if suddenly he's that weak and 'he can't stop the party'

 

Edited March 11, 20215 yr by bluesofa
misprit

3 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

He uses whatever methods he can to try and stop demonstrators asking for democracy, but he can't stop an event that could well start another Covid wave !

Pathetic.  

3 hours ago, webfact said:

His feeling was that the Covid-19 situation had improved sufficiently for it to go ahead in some form but he cautioned that it would be less fun than in some years but that he could not stop the festival from going ahead. 

 

He's twisted himself into quite the pretzel.

 

Delegating this to provincial authorities seems like a sign of weakness.

 

Love how he rules with an iron fist, but stopping a festival is beyond his authority.

 

 

What you mean you can't stop it?  You are the man right?  you got the emergency policy or maybe you aren't on top?????

Let's hope it Rains during Songkran, then the government can not say no water splashing....lol.  Is the PM above the weather God and mother nature.

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Let's hope it Rains during Songkran, then the government can not say no water splashing....lol.  Is the PM above the weather God and mother nature.

I always thought kissing a few frogs put him into this powerful position.

15 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

I always thought kissing a few frogs put him into this powerful position.

Feet, feet, not frog.  Same number of letters though.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He indicated that a limit of 5,000 participants at any one time may be imposed.

And how will they monitor social distancing with 5,000 people...?

Same as protest marches with police and water canons?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

PM says he can't stop the party but warns it'll be "less fun" 

Everything has been less fun since 2014.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

can't stop the party but warns it'll be "less fun"

Rather a metaphor for this government don't you think?

No water splashing no problem ...spray alcohol.

Maybe no water splashing but being drunk acting the fool will still be going on Oh and the carnage on the roads will be in full swing also Must get those morgues full

Sure if the water splashers held up three fingers while they did it , the soldiers would be in with their own chemical Songkran water gun