PHUKET (NNT) - People across the country are now celebrating the Songkran Festival or Thai New Year, but with no parties or water battles. Temples and communities in many provinces today held traditional Songkran celebrations under strict measures intended to contain the spread of COVID-19.

 

Families in the province of Phuket in southern Thailand today brought their children to make merit at Wat Chai Thara Ram in the province’s city district. Many people came to attach gold leaves to the the statue of Luang Por Chaem, as well as other holy items in the temple for good fortune.

 

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the temple has set up an entry screening point where visitors are temperature screened and asked to check in and out of the temple by scanning Thai Chana QR code.

 

Announcements are constantly made reminding visitors to wear a mask at all times and practice social distancing. The temple currently allows people to enter the temple compound at specific times to prevent crowding.

 

In Trang province, families have joined the morning alms giving ceremony for Buddhist monks at home, or delivered food to the temples as a traditional way of celebrating the Thai New Year.

 

Trang province’s Songkran alms giving ceremony was generally held as a special event, but the event has been cancelled this year due to the surge of COVID-19 cases.

 

Moving to the northeastern province of Roi Et, Provincial Governor Chayan Sirimas today presided over a Songkran alms giving ceremony for 101 Buddhist monks, a bird and fish releasing ceremony, and the traditional Buddha bathing ceremony held at Saket Nakhon plaza in the province’s city district. The province is asking all participants to wear masks, practice social distancing, and strictly follow preventative measures against COVID-19.

 

In the Central region, villagers of Op Thom subdistrict in Ang Thong today joined the bathing ceremony of 59 Buddha statues and a folk sports competition was held by village headsmen as part of New Normal cerebrations of Songkran.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-04-13

 

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the last year, with less infections and less potent virus, the songkran was cancelled and people were told not to go to temples or celebrate in any other way.

Instead, people carried normal working days and took days off work when the first wave has passed.

This year looks like an orchestrated by the health minister and TAT deputy director (now both under quarantine) mass spreading of wirus.

Very few have got vax on Phuket, and despite of the 3rd wave they want domestic and foreign tourists, no matter what.   

I've seen Thais on Facebook having street parties and water fights today. It seems a lot of young people in particular are suffering from covid fatigue and don't really care anymore.

51 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

It seems a lot of young people in particular are suffering from covid fatigue and don't really care anymore.

I get the feeling covid fatigue will be a main driver of opening up the world in the end - not number of deaths. Going round and round in circles over covid waves is driving people nuts.

 

Traditional Songkran events held with COVID-19 measures

Which explains why the Songkran holiday will be a complete economic bust.  And my guess is that it will continue to be an economic bust for years to come as we are all promised a "New Normal" which essentially means an end to cultural and national celebrations of the past. 
"Get your jabs, then continue to wear masks, continue to social distance, no drinking, no entertainment, no splashing water, no fun.  New Normal here to stay.  We (as in you commoners) can never be allowed to let guard down again, forever, or bad virus kill entire human population.  Vaccine work ???? but vaccine no work ????.  Confused?  Mai bpen rai.  Just stay home and give up everything you use to do."

There's the future of "New Normal."  Read 'em and weep. 

10 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

I get the feeling covid fatigue will be a main driver of opening up the world in the end

Unfortunately, the people may rise up as "covid fatigue" becomes more prevalent, but it will be met with police with trudgeons to enforce the will of the state and corporate interests. 
Welcome to "New Normal" dystopia.  The future isn't going to be pleasant.

when are people going to wake up to the this vaccine has nothing to do with covid its bill gates way to get into your DNA he has allready had a go with aids