Fun drought: Songkran water festivities scaled back, says tourism minister

[snoop1130]

 

Despite earlier announcements, the traditional water-splashing activities during the Songkran festival in Thailand will not run throughout the entire month-long celebration, according to Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

 

The minister clarified that although the festival activities were scheduled from April 1 and set to end by the month’s close, water-splashing was not part of the whole duration.

 

Sudawan emphasised the necessity of avoiding confusion among local and international tourists. To achieve this, her ministry, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, will release the schedules and locations for all Songkran-related events across the country this month.

 

The minister revealed that large-scale Songkran events are slated for April 11 to 15 at Sanam Luang in Bangkok. These events will feature concerts, large water domes, floats, and daily drone flights.

 

The announcement of Songkran activities extending throughout April was made by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and President of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, in December of last year. Paetongtarn stated that people would be permitted to partake in water-splashing throughout the month, rendering Songkran a unique festival.

 

The government, in February, announced that Songkran activities would take place nationwide from April 1 to 21.

 

Last week, a disappointed Chinese visitor arrived at the Asoke intersection in downtown Bangkok, equipped with a water gun and goggles, expecting to participate in the water-splashing festivities. However, he found that the water festival was not continuing for most of the month as he had anticipated, reported Bangkok Post.

 

In related news, the Songkran festivities in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, are set to have more than 1,600 officials and volunteers on guard. This safety measure is particularly aimed at tourist hotspots like Khao San and Silom roads.

 

The Phra Nakhon District Director, Kosol Singhanat, anticipates a substantial influx of tourists in three key areas during the holiday, namely Khao San Road, Sanam Luang, and Phra Athit Road.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Picture courtesy of Stay in Thailand

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-09

 

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[bob smith]

water splashing ain’t big and it ain’t clever!

 

we need water to drink, not to throw at people.

 

cancel this silly event.

 

bob.

[OneMoreFarang]

I wonder how many tourists booked already and will now be disappointed?

 

[bob smith]

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wonder how many tourists booked already and will now be disappointed?

 

hopefully all of them.

 

bob.

[ikke1959]

No we know already... there wer no activities for Songkran until today and the first will be on Saturday 13 April.....So what are they talking about a month of Songkran celebrations??? there is and was nothing 

[ChaiyaTH]

LOLLLL I mean how much more can they make us laugh with their stupid decisions... Drought is even too bad to do more than 1 day songkran.

Edited April 9 by ChaiyaTH

[ChaiyaTH]

5 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

No we know already... there wer no activities for Songkran until today and the first will be on Saturday 13 April.....So what are they talking about a month of Songkran celebrations??? there is and was nothing 

It annoys the FK out of me that people keep saying this, nobody EVER said this was the case, they said they wanted to turn songkran into a festival that lasts longer. NOBODY ever said the water fight days would change AT ALL. Seem nobody in this country, including most foreigners, are able to read + understand. 

There is a difference between being able to know a language, read something and processing it VS reading something, UNDERSTANDING IT and processing it. 

But yeah, knowing most people lack that capability, I guess it was a very <deleted>ty news message X 10.

[TheAppletons]

3 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

It annoys the FK out of me that people keep saying this, nobody EVER said this was the case, they said they wanted to turn songkran into a festival that lasts longer. NOBODY ever said the water fight days would change AT ALL. Seem nobody in this country, including most foreigners, are able to read + understand. 

There is a difference between being able to know a language, read something and processing it VS reading something, UNDERSTANDING IT and processing it. 

But yeah, knowing most people lack that capability, I guess it was a very <deleted>ty news message X 10.

 

  In general, I agree with everything you stated.

 

  However, it's pretty clear to me that the Thai government/TAT/whomever were intentionally vague regarding the "expanded" activities in the hopes of bringing more tourists in earlier.  They were purposefully trying to make it sound like Songkran was three week instead of three days.

 

  If you live here, you know that three weeks of water fights would be ridiculous and counterproductive.  If you don't live here....

[ChaiyaTH]

3 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

 

  In general, I agree with everything you stated.

 

  However, it's pretty clear to me that the Thai government/TAT/whomever were intentionally vague regarding the "expanded" activities in the hopes of bringing more tourists in earlier.  They were purposefully trying to make it sound like Songkran was three week instead of three days.

 

  If you live here, you know that three weeks of water fights would be ridiculous and counterproductive.  If you don't live here....

In CM they actually installed water taps where you have to put 5 and 10 baht coins in, that is how ridiculous things have become.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Despite earlier announcements, the traditional water-splashing activities during the Songkran festival in Thailand will not run throughout the entire month-long celebration, according to Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Tourism and Sports Minister.

This is completely incorrect. It was never announced that the water chucking/water guns would go for 21 days. NEVER. I would love to see this comment backed up with some evidence. Again I say it was NEVER announced that this year's "World Songkran" 🤣 would be any different to previous year's apart from certain celebrations (NOT WATER THROWING/SQUIRTING🤩) in certain places at certain times. This whole thing is a beat up and sadly the author of this article is on the band wagon. 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, bob smith said:

water splashing ain’t big and it ain’t clever!

 

we need water to drink, not to throw at people.

 

cancel this silly event.

 

bob.

You can cancel it yourself. I suggest ringing the PM's Dept or TAT. Other than that don't winge. TIT and Songkran's part of it.

[bob smith]

20 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

You can cancel it yourself. I suggest ringing the PM's Dept or TAT. Other than that don't winge. TIT and Songkran's part of it.

then don’t complain that all the reservoirs are dry at the end of April (as they do every year).

 

we are currently in the middle of a drought and you think that wasting millions upon millions of gallons of water is a good idea?

 

if a Thai squirts me this year they are getting a mouthful of the verbals back in return!

 

bob.

Edited April 9 by bob smith

[dinsdale]

I'm from the 2nd driest place on Earth. I well know about water conservation and water wastage. 20 years here and I've seen plenty of wastage on an almost daily basis nevermind just Songkran.  Yep the reservoirs do get low BUT they do tend to fill up again. This isn't to say that some regions will experience drought conditions. I very much doubt that Sonkran alone will have such a devistating impact you seem to imply.

[bob smith]

7 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I'm from the 2nd driest place on Earth. I well know about water conservation and water wastage. 20 years here and I've seen plenty of wastage on an almost daily basis nevermind just Songkran.  Yep the reservoirs do get low BUT they do tend to fill up again. This isn't to say that some regions will experience drought conditions. I very much doubt that Sonkran alone will have such a devistating impact you seem to imply.

…but those worst affected regions would be a lot better off without it (songkran) wouldn’t they?

 

it should be a crime (and is in many developed countries) to intentionally waste water during a drought.

 

bob.

Edited April 9 by bob smith

[0ffshore360]

The wet season is impending . Resevoirs are reasonably  full this  year unlike a few in recent previous past.

The Songkran festivities are as much a part of Thai culture as many other cultures celebrate such as  Christmas.

That Songkran has devolved into the Equivalent of Xmas is probably as much the fault of  foreign business interests as is in Xmas.

Perhaps the vaporization of water into the atmosphere actually encourages rainfall ?

Objecting and sweating  much in a state of fury also?

It's too hot to seriously be critical of a culture that we have invited ourselves into. A bucket of (clean) water might be welcome even at an inappropriate moment  !

 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, bob smith said:

then don’t complain that all the reservoirs are dry at the end of April (as they do every year).

 

we are currently in the middle of a drought and you think that wasting millions upon millions of gallons of water is a good idea?

 

if a Thai squirts me this year they are getting a mouthful of the verbals back in return!

 

bob.

Please remember where you are. Doesn't matter how long any of us have been here WE ARE NOT THAI. This is the biggest and most important time for Thais. I have to say though I have seen Thais get a bit pissed off with water chucking during Songkran but it wasn't because of water consevation and Thais can get away with this sometimes. I've also been in the vacinity of a stabbing and a shooting during Songkran (I was rapidly escorted away from the scene by my Thai friends). People are drunk but if you want to loud moth your way into a conflict with Thais then go right ahead.

Edited April 9 by dinsdale

[bob smith]

51 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

The wet season is impending . Resevoirs are reasonably  full this  year unlike a few in recent previous past.

The Songkran festivities are as much a part of Thai culture as many other cultures celebrate such as  Christmas.

That Songkran has devolved into the Equivalent of Xmas is probably as much the fault of  foreign business interests as is in Xmas.

Perhaps the vaporization of water into the atmosphere actually encourages rainfall ?

Objecting and sweating  much in a state of fury also?

It's too hot to seriously be critical of a culture that we have invited ourselves into. A bucket of (clean) water might be welcome even at an inappropriate moment  !

 

That's another problem, most of the water they use is anything but clean. The water in those black buckets along the roadsides is usually quite dirty and can carry water borne viruses that spread easily..

 

Seeing as though thais are so averse to walking outside without their masks it seems strange they wouldn't think to protect themselves from the viruses in the dirty water.

 

bob.

Edited April 9 by bob smith

[bob smith]

22 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Please remember where you are

I'd like to forget that if you don't mind!

 

bob.

[ikke1959]

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

It annoys the FK out of me that people keep saying this, nobody EVER said this was the case, they said they wanted to turn songkran into a festival that lasts longer. NOBODY ever said the water fight days would change AT ALL. Seem nobody in this country, including most foreigners, are able to read + understand. 

There is a difference between being able to know a language, read something and processing it VS reading something, UNDERSTANDING IT and processing it. 

But yeah, knowing most people lack that capability, I guess it was a very <deleted>ty news message X 10.

I can read very well and the extended period would be filled with other activities than water splashing.. But there are no other activities whatsoever at least in my amphur or province...So why proclaim a extended version of nothing?

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Sudawan emphasised the necessity of avoiding confusion among local and international tourists. To achieve this, her ministry, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, will release the schedules and locations for all Songkran-related events across the country this month

Only TAT spread the confusion.... 

[thesetat]

12 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

It annoys the FK out of me that people keep saying this, nobody EVER said this was the case, they said they wanted to turn songkran into a festival that lasts longer. NOBODY ever said the water fight days would change AT ALL. Seem nobody in this country, including most foreigners, are able to read + understand. 

There is a difference between being able to know a language, read something and processing it VS reading something, UNDERSTANDING IT and processing it. 

But yeah, knowing most people lack that capability, I guess it was a very <deleted>ty news message X 10.

When the government and TAT announce songkran lasting all month. Any foreigner would automatically think they meant the water-throwing. Given that Songkran is a holiday about pouring water on the hands and converted to water-throwing usually every day for the holiday period in all the past years. Thailand used/abused this to get tourism dollars up for longer than only the normal few days by extending the holiday but not telling anyone that there is no real Songkran activity during those times. I hope 90% of the incoming tourists cancel and demand refunds because really they were outright misled to schedule their holiday to participate in this water-throwing event unlike anywhere in the world when it is not allowed now. 

[Gottfrid]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Last week, a disappointed Chinese visitor arrived at the Asoke intersection in downtown Bangkok, equipped with a water gun and goggles, expecting to participate in the water-splashing festivities. However, he found that the water festival was not continuing for most of the month as he had anticipated, reported Bangkok Post.

That´s a thing that only a Chinese would believe.

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wonder how many tourists booked already and will now be disappointed?

 

I hear quite a few Chinese joined in on the April fools celebration by running around carrying water pistols on the 1st!

[bamnutsak]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

To achieve this, her ministry, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, will release the schedules and locations for all Songkran-related events across the country this month.

 

 

It is already the 10th of April, one would have thought that they had a schedule prepared after declaring this three-week "soft-power" event?

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The announcement of Songkran activities extending throughout April was made by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and President of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, in December of last year. Paetongtarn stated that people would be permitted to partake in water-splashing throughout the month, rendering Songkran a unique festival.

 

I expect that since a committee must be formed, we'll see the schedule by June.

 

 

[djayz]

Much to do about nothing. 

[BritScot]

12 hours ago, bob smith said:

then don’t complain that all the reservoirs are dry at the end of April (as they do every year).

 

we are currently in the middle of a drought and you think that wasting millions upon millions of gallons of water is a good idea?

 

if a Thai squirts me this year they are getting a mouthful of the verbals back in return!

 

bob.

Looking forward to reading about a stupid foreigner having seven bails kicked out of him and reading the coments on here about how he deserved it and must have said something!!!

[retarius]

A totally infantile holiday. It's not even New Year which occurs on Jan 1st. 

[bob smith]

3 minutes ago, BritScot said:

Looking forward to reading about a stupid foreigner having seven bails kicked out of him and reading the coments on here about how he deserved it and must have said something!!!

I know mate!

 

I really don’t like the water splashing part of Songkran. 

 

I usually stay in and if I do go out it’s very briefly. 

I don’t mind the holiday aspect of it, just the water splashing I find abhorrent. 

 

bob.

[fredwiggy]

12 hours ago, bob smith said:

…but those worst affected regions would be a lot better off without it (songkran) wouldn’t they?

 

it should be a crime (and is in many developed countries) to intentionally waste water during a drought.

 

bob.

Exactly, just as it's illegal to burn anything during a drought in America, fires bringing devastation, loss of life, homes and businesses, along with wildlife, trees and native plants. You burn, you pay, unlike here where they don't care and let millions breathe in toxic fumes.

[fredwiggy]

25 minutes ago, BritScot said:

Looking forward to reading about a stupid foreigner having seven bails kicked out of him and reading the coments on here about how he deserved it and must have said something!!!

Or, in retaliation, a foreigner fighting back against those armed with sticks and putting them all down for being cowards and teaching them not to fool with westerners.And I don't mind a bit about being splashed with water because I saw this firsthand since the first time I visited here in 2015.

Edited April 10 by fredwiggy