Last Day of Water Festival in Bangkok City Center

As the last day of Water Festival approaches, Thais are still making merit near the city center.

This morning, Bangkok's city hall is still crowded as Thais celebrated the Water Festival holiday by pouring blessing water on the Phra Phuttha Sihing, a sacred Buddha statue that is respected by all Thais.

The Thais wished good health to His Majesty the King, and hope that the nation realizes harmony soon. Some people wish for an improvement in the political situation after the election, and hope the Southern flood victims are all safe.

This year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration organized an event at which there were many Thai traditional performances such as a puppet show, Thai-style antiphon, and many pop and country folk music performances.

The Four Seasons traditional Thai houses were also all decked out, and there was also a recreation of a traditional temple fair so that teenagers could get the feel of ancient Thai traditions. Fun activities at the fair included the Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, trick motorcycle show, and the building of sand pagodas.

Today is the last day of the event, and it will end at 11.30 pm.

As for merchants near Ratchaprasong, they report that business during the Water Festival this year is better than the previous year, when the Red-Shirt protest occurred. However, they said that production costs had increased, and that therefore, they had to adjust their prices upward as well.

Merchants add there was a decline in the number of tourists, especially Japanese tourists, as they were affected by the massive earthquake and tsunami.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-15

Democrat Party to Announce New Policy after Songkran

The Democrat Party is set to announce its new party policy on April 20. The party also said that if the Pheu Thai Party wins the election, it would solve the problems of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, rather than the people's problems.

Ruling Democrat Party Spokesman Buranat Samutruk disclosed that the Democrat Party will announce its new policy on April 20 before and after the evening news, which was set by the Election Commission.

The policy is aimed at tackling social problems, particularly the well-being and livelihood of the people.

The Democrat Party spokesman commented on the Opposition Pheu Thai Party's election campaign policy stating that if Pheu Thai wins the election, it will solve the personal issues of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra by granting him a pardon, rather than trying to address and solve the hardships that the people face.

He also believes that if Thaksin receives a pardon, it is very likely that chaos will re-erupt in Thai society.

Regarding Thaksin's Twitter post urging all parties to stop criticizing the Monarchy, Buranat said that the public must judge an individual based on actions rather than a Twitter messages.

The Premier's Spokesman Thepthai Senpong stated that the Democrat Party's Election Commission has prepared all of the necessary measures and policies. After the Songkran festival, it will open its campaign in the northeastern region so that the Pheu Thai party will not have the upper hand in the region, which should heat up competition in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-15

to be continued

Thailand Live Saturday 16 April