Controversial Songkran Dance Near Sacred Statue Sparks Outcry

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of พ ส Facebook

 

Two teenagers have ignited widespread controversy after a video of them dancing and inappropriately touching the face and head of a revered Luang Phor To statue went viral. The incident took place during the Songkran festival on April 15 and has since attracted significant backlash on social media platforms.

 

The footage, which shows the teenagers engaging in perceived disrespectful actions next to a significant Buddhist monk statue, has triggered a wave of criticism. Shared by a member of the News for Rangsit Residents group, the video garners comments questioning the appropriateness of the teenagers' conduct, labelling the act as highly disrespectful.

 

The online reaction reflects a broader concern over cultural respect and sensitivity, especially during the Songkran festival, which is a time deeply rooted in tradition and religious significance. Many social media users expressed disappointment over the apparent disregard for cultural norms and respect for religious icons.

 

 

 

This incident underscores the critical need for cultural awareness and reverence for traditions during significant events like Songkran. It serves as a reminder of the expectations surrounding the respectful engagement with cultural and religious symbols.

 

At the Songkran celebration venue, where five revered monk statues, including Luang Phor Toh, were displayed for traditional New Year blessings, the event was otherwise filled with joyous attendees partaking in water festivities. However, the controversial video cast a shadow over the celebrations, with adults expressing concerns over the teenagers' actions.

 

The behaviour in the video is seen by many as degrading the sacred purpose of the statues. Elders and festival-goers assert that such actions not only tarnish the image of the religion but also set a poor example for youth. They urge for greater respect and understanding of the customs that are meant to bring communities together in appreciation and reverence, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-16

 

 

[mfd101]

Every year Songkran gets bigger & better.  Woops, worse.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Many social media users expressed disappointment over the apparent disregard for cultural norms and respect for religious icons.

Out with them. No respect for Thai culture. They should not be here.

[factual monk]

It's matter of few more years... Songkran will lose it cultural significance... as it is ... past couple of years... it has changed drastically... thanks to extreme commercialization of Songkran by Authorities...

[hotchilli]

26 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Out with them. No respect for Thai culture. They should not be here.

If they're nationals they live here, unless you know something the post didn't cover?

[newbee2022]

Just now, hotchilli said:

If they're nationals they live here, unless you know something the post didn't cover?

And if they're foreigners they stay there, unless you know something the post didn't cover?

[Geoffggi]

The fact is that so many Thais are such hypocrites they change their minds constantly dependent on the company they are in.

[BangkokReady]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

especially during the Songkran festival, which is a time deeply rooted in tradition and religious significance

 

🤦‍♂️

[quake]

Deport them and give them a 10 year ban and a 100k fine.

Oh, hold on, look who they are. 

 

Respectful is a funny old word in Thailand.  

T.I.T. 

 

[Purdey]

I wonder what Luang Phor To himself would say to this? Probably he would be a lot more laid back about it than the Protectors of Culture^tm.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, factual monk said:

It's matter of few more years... Songkran will lose it cultural significance... as it is ... past couple of years... it has changed drastically... thanks to extreme commercialization of Songkran by Authorities...

 

No it won't...  even 30 years ago the 'water fight' aspect of Songkran was a major facet - that has not change in every town across the nation - commercialisation has brought more tourism to key areas, thats all.

 

The traditional aspect of Songkran is still respected and valued as much as it ever was, its just not as 'social media' newsworthy to trigger netizen outrage as a ladyboy getting her norks out or someone dancing near a statue where 'faux offence' can be taken or the 'honourable family resort reputation of Pattaya Soi' to be brought into question... 

 

 

 

 

[factual monk]

.

[factual monk]

47 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No it won't...  even 30 years ago the 'water fight' aspect of Songkran was a major facet - that has not change in every town across the nation - commercialisation has brought more tourism to key areas, thats all.

 

The traditional aspect of Songkran is still respected and valued as much as it ever was, its just not as 'social media' newsworthy to trigger netizen outrage as a ladyboy getting her norks out or someone dancing near a statue where 'faux offence' can be taken or the 'honourable family resort reputation of Pattaya Soi' to be brought into question... 

 

 

 

 

Time will tell... for you it's 30... for me it's 16... 👍 

[Grumpy one]

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Out with them. No respect for Thai culture. They should not be here.

Are you related to Trump?

[newbee2022]

10 minutes ago, Grumpy one said:

Are you related to Trump?

What? Do you think he's my son?😂

[connda]

7 hours ago, factual monk said:

It's matter of few more years... Songkran will lose it cultural significance... as it is ... past couple of years... it has changed drastically... thanks to extreme commercialization of Songkran by Authorities...

No it won't.

[rattlesnake]

They look very young, maybe off their heads on lao khao. No Thai (and they do look Thai, or at least South-East Asian) would do that in a normal state.

[connda]

Thai Buddhists get in an uproar because of farang insensitivity toward sacred Buddhism in Thailand.

Then Thai Buddhists in Thailand commit insensitivity toward sacred Islam in Thailand.

 

Everyone has their own dog in the fight when it comes to getting "outraged" by other's "insensitivity" toward what they themselves consider sacred.  Funny how that works, 'Eh?

[watchcat]

On 4/16/2025 at 10:08 AM, snoop1130 said:

the Songkran festival,

 

AKA the water war.

[kimamey]

Come Christmas I wonder how much respect for the religious aspect of the celebration of the birth of Christ there will be in all the shops and supermarkets in Thailand that cash in at that time of year. 

Before anyone mentions it, I know that's also often the case in the west and other supposedly Christian countries. The point is these are complaints from people who for the most part are only interested in their religion and couldn't care less about anyone else's. It's the same with the expected respect for the Thai national flag but not any other flag. 

For the record, I'm not religious so it doesn't worry me too much,  although I would never show such disrespect. I'm also British and if you want to have my flag printed on you shorts, underwear, bra or doormat, go ahead. I'm fine with that,  just don't be hypocritical.

[still kicking]

On 4/17/2025 at 9:18 AM, newbee2022 said:

Out with them. No respect for Thai culture. They should not be here.

Yeah, could you send them to Venutuala? 

[it is what it is]

On 4/17/2025 at 2:50 AM, Geoffggi said:

The fact is that so many Thais are such hypocrites they change their minds constantly dependent on the company they are in.

 

and other nationalities don't? any excuse to thai bash

[sidneybear]

They probably think that they're in Britain or America. Let's hope they get caught and corrected the Thai way.

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, still kicking said:

Yeah, could you send them to Venutuala? 

I can do.

Do you have the zip code for "Venutuala' btw?

Can't find it.