Thai Covid-19 Center says final decisions on Songkran rules will come NEXT Friday, March 18th, still being debated

[snoop1130]

 

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is planning to discuss the implementation of Covid-19 preventive measures for Songkran, the Thai New Year/Water Festival, and Thailand’s biggest holiday in April at its general meeting on March 18th.

 

Dr. Sumani Watcharasin of the CCSA revealed at the daily briefing yesterday, March 7th, that the government would like to ask for cooperation from families with the elderly, chronically-ill patients, and/or young children to receive full vaccination as there could be a lot of traveling and family gathering during Songkran which could be the risk of finding more infections.

 

Any restrictions on travel have already been ruled out, Sumani stated, and people will be allowed to visit family for the longest and biggest holiday of the year which will be at least five days in mid-April. Songkran, like Chinese New Year or Golden Week elsewhere, is the biggest migration of people internally yearly and Thailand’s most important festival.

 

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Normally, however, the event is also accompanied by concerts, parades, festivals, beauty pageants, contests, religious, ceremonial, and, of course, world-famous water fights that attract tens of thousands to tourist areas. These are the issues that will be debated and discussed by the CCSA next week.

 

Songkran was completely canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19, including travel restrictions and alcohol sales bans, and only small religious and ceremonial events were allowed in 2021, although travel was allowed. Bars and entertainment venues were shuttered only days before Songkran last year due to concerns around parties and gatherings. Technically, they remain closed and are currently converted “restaurants”.

 

On Monday, the Department of Health had proposed preventive measures to control the Covid-19 spread during the 5-day Songkran holiday to the CCSA. The assessment of the Covid-19 infection risk must be conducted during the long weekend issue which normally includes several activities such as returning to hometowns, family gatherings, doing joint activities, pouring water onto elders’ hands, splashing water, powdering each other’s faces, etc.

 

Dr. Sumani declined to state exactly what the proposals were so far, noting that there were “many opinions” and “much debate”, especially in tourist zones with high vaccination rates that depend economically on Songkran celebrations and have been pushing for eased restrictions, such as Pattaya and Phuket.

 

Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/08/thai-covid-19-center-says-final-decisions-on-songkran-rules-will-come-next-friday-march-18th-still-being-debated/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-08

 

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[aussienam]

Just imagine being involved in a Songkran water fight/dousing whilst wearing a mask. The mask will rapidly turn into a soggy cloth unable to receive oxygen - instant water boarding!

[hughrection]

The stepson has been told to stay where he is in Bangkok - he readily agrees.

Making a trip of 6 to 7 hours to just be drinking in another province makes no sense. People can see & talk to their family members using the vast amount of social media websites and others.

There is no need to travel back to the provinces to get drunk. The original ethos behind the celebration has long since gone.

Numbers of covid are beginning to slow now in the provinces, so stay where you are Bangkok people and we will see you again on New Years when this is all over. ????

[jcmj]

This is just the normal run up to It’s Cancelled. 

[arithai12]

8 hours ago, hughrection said:

The stepson has been told to stay where he is in Bangkok - he readily agrees.

Making a trip of 6 to 7 hours to just be drinking in another province makes no sense. People can see & talk to their family members using the vast amount of social media websites and others.

There is no need to travel back to the provinces to get drunk. The original ethos behind the celebration has long since gone.

Numbers of covid are beginning to slow now in the provinces, so stay where you are Bangkok people and we will see you again on New Years when this is all over. ????

"Making a trip of 6 to 7 hours to just be drinking in another province makes no sense."

True, but this is regardless of Covid.

As for the risk of infections when travelling, really, how's it worse than taking the Skytrain or a ferry in Bangkok.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, jcmj said:

This is just the normal run up to It’s Cancelled. 

Nah, I think this year they might say no large organised events, festivals, private music events etc. Yet family gatherings, temple visits etc can go ahead with precautions in place.

[blackshadow]

no need to debate just CANCEL this stupid event for good !!!!