Thailand weighs suit against Singaporean organizers of ‘SONGKRAN’

[webfact]

Thailand weighs suit against Singaporean organizers of ‘SONGKRAN’
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Tourism officials are consulting with the government’s copyright office to determine whether to take legal action against the Singaporean organizers of next month’s “Celebrate Songkran” party.

Wilaiwan Tawichsri, a deputy governor with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said today that should Singapore host a Songkran party every year, it could confuse and discourage tourists from attending Thailand, the festival’s home.

She added TAT is studying methods of registering trademarks for Thai traditions such as Songkran and Loy Krathong to prevent other countries in ASEAN from stealing them.

Meanwhile Chai Nakornchai, the director general of Department of Cultural Promotion points out Singapore has the right to host a Songkran party because it’s a tradition that doesn’t only belong to Thailand and cannot be “claimed.”

However the director of Culture Surveillance Bureau says it is not right for Singapore to distort the tradition and host Songkran [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/03/19/thailand-weighs-suit-against-singaporean-organizers-songkran


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-03-19

[Bluespunk]

"However the director of Culture Surveillance Bureau says it is not right for Singapore to distort the tradition and host Songkran as a tourism gimmick, as it is about more than playing with water. The Songkran festival connects society and also involves an important display of appreciation toward elders, Yupa Taweewattana-boworn said."

Have they told TAT this?

Yet another ridiculous minister making ridiculous statements. I really hope they do try to sue, it will teach them a valuable lesson in what reality is.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Bluespunk

[clockman]

In Singapore, at least it will not result in massive road deaths!

[dcutman]

Tourism officials are consulting with the government’s copyright office to determine whether to take legal action against the Singaporean organizers of next month’s “Celebrate Songkran” party.

Thailand should really lodge a complaint with the United Nations over this .

Edited March 19, 2014 by dcutman

[khwaibah]

Closing the barn door after the cow got out.

[Captain_Bob]

Singaporeans are way too tame and law-abiding to have a real Songkran, and their police actually do their job most of the time. Next thing they'll be promoting "Tubing" on Sentosa Island but no drinking allowed and it shuts down at 6pm.

[PepperMe]

She added TAT is studying methods of registering trademarks for Thai traditions such as Songkran and Loy Krathong to prevent other countries in ASEAN from stealing them.

Hahaha come on TAT... Thailand, the hub of copying everything they possibly can second only to China and as for trademark breech..... Bwahahahahahaha

I wonder how many Singaporean passports, driving licenses and ID cards Thai authorities have allowed their forgery rings to forge and sell totally unchecked?

I will likely try the Singapore songkran out because I am bored with the Thai version and avoid it now.

The last three I attended here in Korat have erupted into gang fights swinging machetes around and throwing bottles at each other with innocent people and children in the crowd getting hit.

Edited March 19, 2014 by PepperMe

[siampolee]

Better be careful because perhaps somewhat more honest types might just contemplate taking court action regarding the Thai presumption that Buddhism was and is of a solely Thai origin.

Oh don't forget Christmas and those ''Jinger Bells too.

Edited March 19, 2014 by siampolee

[DirtFarmer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Festival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thingyan

List of Water of Festival
Local name festival Country Begin End
Chaul Chnam Thmey Cambodia 14 April 16 April
Pi Mai Lao Laos 12 April 15 April
Thingyan Myanmar 13 April 16 April
Aluth Avurudda Sri Lanka 14 April 14 April
Songkran Thailand 13 April 15 April
Puthandu Mauritius, India, Malaysia, Singapore & India 14 April

And Loy Kratong isn't inherently only THAI either... seems the whole region celebrates these seasons...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Om_Touk (Cambodian Water Festival -around the same time as Loy Kratong....

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Together with the Thai Police force they should also fire all the TAT's staff, what a bunch of fools!

[ezflip]

What's better then free advertisement for a celebration?

The Thai way, making money by suing other counties who are copying them...

Maybe TAT is trying to recoup lost tourist revenues?

[Thai at Heart]

Yay. Lets sue Singapore. <deleted> kind of attitude do these people have to anything in the world. Isn't the biggest water throwing festival at that time of the year in India? Ive seen Songkran done in South West China.

I think the West should sue Thailand for daring to put up a single Xmas tree. Alls fair and all that

[Just1Voice]

This funny, considering Songkran originated in INDIA, and that originally Songkran was a peaceful and respectful way of pouring water over the hands of elders to show respect.

Thai are so <deleted> up!

[tomyummer]

I'd rather go to the safer Singapore version.

So no more overseas Thai massage, Thai restaurants,...and no more Christmas decorations, Chinese New years,.....

Night Safari, Bangkok Eye, F1 night race....ever copied?

Thailand, land of cry babies.

Edited March 19, 2014 by tomyummer

[antimedia]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Festival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thingyan

List of Water of Festival

Local name festival Country Begin End

Chaul Chnam Thmey Cambodia 14 April 16 April

Pi Mai Lao Laos 12 April 15 April

Thingyan Myanmar 13 April 16 April

Aluth Avurudda Sri Lanka 14 April 14 April

Songkran Thailand 13 April 15 April

Puthandu Mauritius, India, Malaysia, Singapore & India 14 April

And Loy Kratong isn't inherently only THAI either... seems the whole region celebrates these seasons...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Om_Touk (Cambodian Water Festival -around the same time as Loy Kratong....

A pity they don't teach history in Thai schools. Thailand you own nothing.

[antimedia]

When I thought it couldn't get any worse, Thailand really amazes me. Where in the hell do they get these people to run these departments.

[Thailand]

Complete dipsticks!

[khwaibah]

When I thought it couldn't get any worse, Thailand really amazes me. Where in the hell do they get these people to run these departments.

Same place they got the people to run their radar..

[siampolee]

As I've said before. ''Thailand is the hub of imitation as opposed to innovation.'' Now we can throw in ''The hub of AESEAN litigation too.

Edited March 19, 2014 by siampolee

[toybits]

And any other country celebrating the Carnival (as in Brazil) should cease and desist? Seems so childish to me. The Kingdom has more urgent issues to deal with - such as mafias, animal cruelty, human zoos, dangerous driving, sons of rich people who never see a day in court...

Edited March 19, 2014 by toybits

[Thailand]

Check out their website. Looks like quite a show they are putting on including a few Thai artistes.

[Soutpeel]

Thailand you own nothing.

What about the bum gun ?.....

Well I am going to copyright Saint Paddies day, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and any of you <deleted> lot on TV even mention one of those holidays, I want US$ 10 everytime you use one of those those names....

but back to topic, how arrogant are these people to claim a "holiday" which I think originated in India and the actual word comes from Sanskrit anyone want to inform the Indian goverment and maybe they can counter sue the Thai goverment ?

What a gang of morons

[fakename]

At least in Singapore, you probably wouldnt get knocked off your motor bike, with a bucket of water!

[NongKhaiKid]

Thailand you own nothing.

What about the bum gun ?.....

Well I am going to copyright Saint Paddies day, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and any of you <deleted> lot on TV even mention one of those holidays, I want US$ 10 everytime you use one of those those names....

but back to topic, how arrogant are these people to claim a "holiday" which I think originated in India and the actual word comes from Sanskrit anyone want to inform the Indian goverment and maybe they can counter sue the Thai goverment ?

What a gang of morons

Can anyone help ? I seem to remember a few years ago they tried to claim exclusive ' ownership ' of Full Moon parties.

The stupidity at times defies description.

[Thai at Heart]

This country really is getting more moronic every day.

Next they will find this Malaysian airlines plane having a wash on Don Muang. Maybe Thaksin stole it? Or Suthep has parked in in the south.

I mean every day, there is another idiotic fantastic headline. Its like Notthenation come to life

[coma]

The strict policing in Singapore will make it a "claytons' Songkran. And it would be 10 times more expensive for the average traveler.

Thailand shouldn't be worried too much. If they have a good product they will come. I don't see the Chinese kicking up a fuse about Thailand having large Chinese New Year festivals .

[Loles]

In Singapore the tourist don't have to be scared:

- street fight with army weapons (in popcorn sack of course), grenades, M16 machine gun,

- extremely corrupted police officers who may do anything for money,

- high risk on roads.

They have to scared only the water-guns and splash, and this is the true Songkran celebration. Isn't it?

AND the Songkran celebration is not a trade mark, can be organized every-where around the world.

[Misterwhisper]

Oh my goodness, the hypocritical "culture surveillance center" is at it again!

And nobody there seems to be aware that this water festival is celebrated throughout the region and even in India, Sri Lanka and China's Yunnan province. Even the dates appear to be pretty much the same.

Songkran is just as "inherently Thai" as kui tiow noodle soups, chili peppers and - yes! - Buddhism itself.

Let me try something with Khun Yupa's statement and amend it a little bit:

"...it is not right for Singapore Thailand to distort the tradition and host Songkran Christmas as a tourism gimmick, as it is about more than playing with water just splurging money on tons of gifts and posing for photos in front of plastic Christmas trees. The Songkran festival Christmas connects society and also involves an important display of appreciation toward elders one's family and friends."

See?

I really hope a few countries will come together and sue Thailand's a** off over its inappropriate annual hijacking of Christmas to serve the pagan deity of materialism.

It's also about time for Germany to file a lawsuit against Thailand for its audacious misappropriation of the time-honored Oktoberfest.

And how about Valentine's Day while we're at it?

Jesus Christ (pun intended), Thailand! Get a grip!

Edited March 19, 2014 by Misterwhisper

[LomSak27]

About time the US starts getting cash from countries who take our Halloween celebration and distorting the true cultural significance of it.

Lets party!

[Thai at Heart]

The strict policing in Singapore will make it a "claytons' Songkran. And it would be 10 times more expensive for the average traveler.

Thailand shouldn't be worried too much. If they have a good product they will come. I don't see the Chinese kicking up a fuse about Thailand having large Chinese New Year festivals .

No u dont. Why?, because the Chinese actually have something to be proud of, and are slowly but surely developing the country forward.

Which is completely in opposition to thailand, who have little identity, other than what Bangkok has driven onto everyone, and an international image that extends barely beyond "hey GI, love u long time".

All very tragic really. What an image.