Govt Urges Safe and Respectful Songkran Celebrations Amid Concerns of Violence, Harassment

[webfact]

 

National—On April 11th, 2024, Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, called for the cooperation of all citizens to play water during the Songkran celebration safely and appropriately.

UNESCO registered the Songkran festival from Thailand as humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. The Thai government had then prepared for the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 as a major celebration.

 

According to the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, Songkran is a fun festival frequently celebrated with alcoholic beverages. However, it could lead to violence and crimes, including sexual harassment.

A survey of citizens regarding the Songkran Festival 2024 showed that 57.79% of the majority had clay powder applied to their faces, 32.43% experienced molestation, and 76.77% of the age group under 18 years had clay powder applied to their faces.

 

The most encountered sexual harassment behaviors included being touched without permission on hands, arms, and physical contact at 61.45%. More than 92.10% of the survey takers recognized that sexual harassment was an offense under Thai criminal law.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-12

 

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[flyingtlger]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

Songkran is a fun festival frequently celebrated with alcoholic beverages. However, it could lead to violence and crimes, including sexual harassment.

Don't forget the numerous deaths and horrific accidents from drunk driving....

[ezzra]

Yeah right, like asking grand Prix formula 1 drivers to watch the speed limit of 40... Good luck...

[mikebell]

What could go wrong? The police are putting in their bi-annual appearance to draw their overtime payments.

[bob smith]

any thai squirts me with their dirty water this year and they will know about it!!

 

much love!

BOB.

[dinsdale]

46 minutes ago, bob smith said:

any thai squirts me with their dirty water this year and they will know about it!!

 

much love!

BOB.

Some people would pay money for that.😋

[mfd101]

In sum, less celebration, more cerebration required.

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, called for the cooperation of all citizens to play water during the Songkran celebration safely and appropriately.

It will be the usual mix of celebrations and screams... 

[connda]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

A survey of citizens regarding the Songkran Festival 2024 showed that 57.79% of the majority had clay powder applied to their faces, 32.43% experienced molestation, and 76.77% of the age group under 18 years had clay powder applied to their faces.

I've participated in the past.  The Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson perhaps isn't Thai as everything listed above is typically part and parcel of a typical Songkran celebration and it's almost always done in the spirit of the celebration.  The elites who are too "special" to come down and party with the commoners should either take the sticks out of their derrieres or just go to their country clubs where they don't have to rub shoulders with the hoi polloi and commoners.  They'd be better off to just jump in the private planes and leave for the week.  Everyone else in Thailand will get along just fine.

[peter zwart]

7 hours ago, bob smith said:

any thai squirts me with their dirty water this year and they will know about it!!

 

much love!

BOB.

Then stay home. Its their party, not yours.

[bob smith]

2 minutes ago, peter zwart said:

Then stay home. Its their party, not yours.

water wasters should be punished! 

 

1 year jail time for first offence and/or a fine of not more than 100,000 baht!

 

BOB.

Edited April 12 by bob smith