Thai authorities between a rock and hard place over Songkran celebrations

REUTERS file photo

As Thailand prepares what to do about this year's Songkran celebrations officials find themselves between a rock and a hard place.

On the one hand many people - particularly the young - are keen to let their hair down after lockdown and especially as last year's traditional Thai New Year was cancelled during the first wave of the pandemic.

But others are fearful that fresh ground gained in the battle against Covid-19 after the second wave over the last several months may be all for nothing if Thais have too much freedom.

Especially if the Songkran celebration resembles anything like the water splashing free for all that the festival has become over the last few decades. 

Indeed many are comparing the Thai authorities' decisions with those faced by the governments in the US in November concerning Thanksgiving and the UK in December about Christmas.

Critics - especially those in the health industry - said that both countries were irresponsible in allowing travel and meeting up to take place resulting in unnecessary death and suffering. 

They thought the celebrations should have been cancelled and the governments should not have given in to the public wishing to celebrate.

Thailand - with a jittery public still wary of what to do next - is faced with similar dilemmas when it comes to the precise nature of Songkran this year.

Head of the National Security Council General Nattaphol Nakpanich epitomized this caution ahead of a CCSA sub-committee yesterday when he talked about the need for caution amid calls to get Songkran up and running again. 

Manager reported fears that water splashing at the event would result in clusters of infection. 

Final decisions will not be made until the main CCSA or Covid steering committee meets on March 19th.

Channel 7 suggested the likelihood was that Songkran 2021 would be a socially distanced event that, if water splashing were allowed, would be in wide open areas. 

Critics might ask whether this is workable. The up close and personal nature of water splashing, as well as the inevitability that people would be drinking and losing their inhibitions will have many nervous.

Reports have suggested that an event in Khao San Road will be limited to 5,000 people but that possibility, while enticing to some, may be tinged with dread and fear to others.

Thailand may go to their fall back position of only allowing traditional lustral water sprinkling and ceremonies to honor ancestors and the aged. 

Though whether they can dictate to the people on how to celebrate in smaller gatherings remains to be seen. 

Meanwhile, Channel 7 reported the latest vaccine news with 5-6000 jabs being delivered daily and 36,797 done so far, 3976 in Bangkok.

They reported that the highlight of today (Friday 12th) would be the Thai prime minister and members of his cabinet receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine in a show designed to inspire public confidence in the VAX rollout. 

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Thai authorities between a rock and hard place over Songkran celebrations

OMG! Decision, decisions! ????

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

as well as the inevitability that people would be drinking and losing their inhibitions will have many nervous.

i will not be nervous. 

Simple solution.

Covid free areas - party

Others - stay at home.

I think this will be a good experiment. Let the people party, wait 6 - 8 weeks, see what happens. If another wave, then at least you know what NOT to do. If no wave, open things up.

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

But others are fearful that fresh ground gained in the battle against Covid-19 after the second wave over the last several months may be all for nothing if Thais have too much freedom.

Why not have designated areas for people to play especially places like Pattaya where there is a division within the population, have a station for temperature checks for people to enter these dedicated areas to throw water leaving others that don't want to play free to go about their business or going for a meal or drinks without getting soaked.

The culling festivals go ahead during a time when covid is still about. 

Songkran - the greatest thinning of the herd event, after the Wildebeest migration of the Serengeti.

You can't stop natural selection.

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Simple solution.

Covid free areas - party

Others - stay at home.

"Thought to be" covid free areas-party

Others- What the hell, go for it.

Edited March 12, 20215 yr by Surelynot

9 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

The culling festivals go ahead during a time when covid is still about. 

 

With 5000 a day jabs, it will likely be around for a very long time.

Meantime, ppl deserve a life worthy to live, not slow starving death at home, in fear, locked up bcos others so scared for their life.

The world's 7.8 billion, so far 2.63 million covid deaths.

In Thailand particular, more die on the road daily than wave 1 & 2 combined total over the last 13 months.

I get your point. But do you get mine too?

 

16 minutes ago, tingtong said:

 

With 5000 a day jabs, it will likely be around for a very long time.

Meantime, ppl deserve a life worthy to live, not slow starving death at home, in fear, locked up bcos others so scared for their life.

The world's 7.8 billion, so far 2.63 million covid deaths.

In Thailand particular, more die on the road daily than wave 1 & 2 combined total over the last 13 months.

I get your point. But do you get mine too?

I find it hard to get anyone's point here on TV these days, I guess there are now a lot younger people here and we don't see things the same way. 

I have 8 stalkers in the TV ignore facility I no doubt there will be many more to follow. ???? ???? ????

 

Edited March 12, 20215 yr by Kwasaki

I say, go ahead with a full blown drunken water blasting celebration.

The Thai Tourism Authority can then have a large Darwin Awards ceremony can be held 2 weeks later.

Just don't expect me to attend either.

Should be cancelled until the pandemic is over.

I imagine they will pass a law soon that no Myanmar workers can partake, or they will be locked up for another 8 days or so

6 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

i will not be nervous. 

Legend! ????

There's not going to be a Songkran and they know it.

8 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Thai authorities between a rock and hard place over Songkran celebrations

OMG! Decision, decisions! ????

It did not take them very long to decide on extending the Holiday to 6 Days

Of course money was the governing factor.

8 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Thai authorities between a rock and hard place over Songkran celebrations

OMG! Decision, decisions! ????

Rock paper, scissors time 

2 hours ago, grain said:

Should be cancelled until the pandemic is over.

Should be cancelled till common sense prevails! Five incarnations from now, maybe!

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Head of the National Security Council General Nattaphol Nakpanich epitomized this caution ahead of a CCSA sub-committee yesterday when he talked about the need for caution amid calls to get Songkran up and running again. 

Profit or loss..... decisions decisions, what a dilemma !

Allow Songkran to go ahead, but ban interprovincial travel.

Stay close to home to celebrate.

Think of the money$$$$$

9 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Simple solution.

Covid free areas - party

Others - stay at home.

And what happens when people leave the party and mix with those who, wisely, decided to stay at home?

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

There's not going to be a Songkran and they know it.

There will be a Songkran and nobody will take any notice of safety measures and restrictions and they know it.

2 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

There will be a Songkran and nobody will take any notice of safety measures and restrictions and they know it.

Just like last year?

11 hours ago, webfact said:

may be all for nothing if Thais have too much freedom.

Not only Thais, but resident ex-pats and stranded tourists??

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

There will be a Songkran and nobody will take any notice of safety measures and restrictions and they know it.

The people are far more cautious currently. There has been a seismic shift in attitudes everywhere and Thailand is no different. 

18 minutes ago, BostonRob2 said:

The people are far more cautious currently. There has been a seismic shift in attitudes everywhere and Thailand is no different. 

True, but there will certainly be huge  numbers who will ignore any safety rules.

6 hours ago, grain said:

Should be cancelled until the pandemic is over.

Actually should be cancelled forever while people are still alive.

3 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Allow Songkran to go ahead, but ban interprovincial travel.

Stay close to home to celebrate.

But still allow the throwing of missiles at traveling motor vehicles.