Thai public health minister says alcohol and parties should not be part of Songkran, focus should be on tradition and religion

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By Adam Judd

 

Bangkok, Thailand-A dry Songkran? No, we aren’t referring to water fights, which is a different matter and is also likely to, for the third year in a row, be curtailed, but alcohol.

 

At a press conference yesterday Thai public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that Songkran will take place in mid April and that people will be allowed to travel and visit with family, which is the main focus of the holiday for most Thais.

 

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Songkran is the Thai new year, also known as the water festival, and the single biggest holiday in Thailand and the largest annual migration of people within the country to their hometowns and villages. For many Thais it is the only significant time off they get every year.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/18/thai-public-health-minister-says-alcohol-and-parties-should-not-be-part-of-songkran-focus-should-be-on-tradition-and-religion/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-18

 

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[kotsak]

"focus should be on tradition and religion"

 

Yes, but where is the money in that?

[itsari]

Songkran is a time for people to have fun and business to make hay from my observations . 

 

[mikebell]

When Anutin speaks people have stopped listening. As Health Minister, he should know, with deaths running at 70 a day, that family gatherings across all provinces will cause an explosion of cases soon after.

[ThailandRyan]

Is Anutin supposed to obey his own rules that he spouts.  I would love nothing more than to see Songkran return to its original roots, but many including foreigners think it should be a uncontrolled water fight and full on party like the full moon parties...

[jacko45k]

We get this message each year.... but let us face facts, the locals seem to enjoy the modern raucous version too! Only us older grouches hate it with a vengeance!

[herfiehandbag]

"Anutin says..."

 

I've seen him on TV - like interference!

[CelticBhoy]

Songkhran gets a Scrooge  ..... ????

[KhunLA]

I personally avoid Songkran, but hey, let them eat cake.

[bkk6060]

There is pent up frustration from the past 2 years.  People want to let loose.  I bet it will b e a party like no other Pattaya 9 days of partying carnage.

[Excel]

Whilst him and his wealthy pals go off to their private places for a few days of drunken debauchery.  Nothing but f*****g hypocrites

[ThailandRyan]

10 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

There is pent up frustration from the past 2 years.  People want to let loose.  I bet it will b e a party like no other Pattaya 9 days of partying carnage.

Party carnage and covid deaths will definitely thin the heard a little here.

[JonnyF]

"people will be allowed to travel and visit with family,"

 

Well that's very gracious of you Anutin. When are we going to get away from this mentality that the default position is being locked down, and we need permission from people like Anutin to travel and visit our families?

 

The fact that these illegal power grabbers feel like they have any kind of authority to lock us up is really concerning. They're going to keep Covid fear dragging on as long as possible, they simply love the power it gives them to micro manage the lives of the population.

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by JonnyF

[internationalism]

his own ministry advising against tradition of washing hands and feet of elders, as they believe it is a close contact and should be avoided.

[Tropicalevo]

"focus should be on tradition and religion"

They missed a bit of Anutin's original quote - focus should be on tradition, weed and religion.

[Jimbo2014]

7 hours ago, kotsak said:

"focus should be on tradition and religion"

 

Yes, but where is the money in that?

Believe me - there is money in that ????

[TropicalGuy]

Imagine if Western Leaders were to make the same ludicrous insulting request to their voters about how they should celebrate Xmas ……would be voted out never to return !????

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, kotsak said:

"focus should be on tradition and religion"

 

Yes, but where is the money in that?

The tradition and religion I witness around me is to get as pi##ed as possible, dance the days/nights away.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Is Anutin supposed to obey his own rules that he spouts.  I would love nothing more than to see Songkran return to its original roots, but many including foreigners think it should be a uncontrolled water fight and full on party like the full moon parties...

Songkran tradition was overtaken by commercialism... it's now a free-for-all.

[Burma Bill]

alcohol and parties should not be part of Songkran,

 

[Rhys]

Oh really... Glad that Anutin is on the job.

[mtls2005]

So no ganja I guess?

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

Nothing you say means anything anymore. You continue with your daily lies, and you are at a stage where nobody in this nation, other than some of the generals and cabinet ministers and the PM seemingly, take you seriously anymore. You have undermined your own credibility time and time again, with bad information, fake news, broken promises, and terrible leadership. Do you even know what the definition of leadership is? 

True leaders really are in the service of their people. True leaders act with integrity and in doing so they establish trust. True leaders genuinely value their people and in doing so they create loyalty. True leaders are in the business of assisting people to realize their full potential, and in doing so they inspire excellence. Nobody can demand respect, loyalty or trust, like you constantly do. These things have to be earned. There are no short cuts, no way to cheat the process. Great leaders have integrity and truly value their people. And you do not inspire confidence, as you have never had any follow up in your weak game, you are highly insincere, and grossly incompetent and under qualified for the job. One would think after 7 plus years you have had time to learn. That does not appear to be the case.

 

Anutin, you are a terrible health minister. Absolutely awful. It would be best to avoid making public statements, at this stage, to avoid embarrassing yourself, and bringing shame to your family.  

[ThailandRyan]

So Song Kran is a go, a no go, a go for only family events, no water splashing, no drinking, well 3 years without Song Kran isn't all that bad....but lets wait and see what actually occurs....Tried to book some places in the south over that week and everyone has doubled their prices, really silly....

[RocketDog]

focus should be on tradition and religion.

 

???? 555555555555555

[Cake Monster]

8 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Is Anutin supposed to obey his own rules that he spouts.  I would love nothing more than to see Songkran return to its original roots, but many including foreigners think it should be a uncontrolled water fight and full on party like the full moon parties...

Its such a shame that traditional Songkran has almost died out.

The original roots and traditions are very calm and gentle, vastly different than the commercialized mayhem we witness ever Year now.

[Jumbo1968]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Songkran tradition was overtaken by commercialism... it's now a free-for-all.

Same as Valentines Day, Hallowe’en, Christmas etc, it’s not about tradition it’s about commercialism.

ok let’s have Songkhran but keep it to specific areas instead of having to run the gauntlet of getting chilled cold water in your face when on your scooter, close of Beach Road and let them party there

[swm59nj]

Unfortunately it seems the majority of expats and tourists come here for parties and alcohol 

[Jumbo1968]

1 minute ago, swm59nj said:

Unfortunately it seems the majority of expats and tourists come here for parties and alcohol 

Thailand in general has always been a party place, even the Thai people enjoy parties and alcohol.

[Tubulat]

I think it is better he shut-up.