Kanchanaburi:- If water throwing is not enough to ease the almost unbearable heat of Thailand’s summer, revelers can also get free ice cream from tourist police in Kanchanaburi on April 17.

“We will hand out about 5,000 ice cream bars that day,” says Pol Lt Colonel Dr Chanathep Suankaew, a senior tourist police based in the western province.

While most parts of Thailand will celebrate the Songkran Festival and have fun with its water splashing between April 13 and April 15, Kanchanaburi Municipality has organized the big day on April 17 in recent years.

Chanathep says while some residents do splash water during April 13-15 period, the Songkran Festival is at its height on April 17 in the municipal area.

“Most shops in the area close down to join the fun,” he says, “People from other zones also flock in”.

According to him, the most popular zones for water throwing on April 17 are Saengchuto Road, Uthong Road, and Nanachart Road. In Thai, Nanachart means international, reflecting the fact that a huge number of foreigners gather there.

“Tourist police will be on duty to ensure public safety,” Chanathep says.

According to him, aware that Mercury soars high in April, tourist police will also have ice cream ready to serve interested tourists.

“It is a way to cool down,” he adds.

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is one of Thailand’s most colorful festivals.

What about me i can't eat cold ice cream due to sensitive teeth but i'm ok drinking iced beer through a straw.

Free? Or purchased with Tax-payers' money? If money came from their own pockets - then yes! That would be free indeed.

What about me i can't eat cold ice cream due to sensitive teeth but i'm ok drinking iced beer through a straw.

Truncheons are very good for removing teeth, sensitive or otherwise.

Maybe next time the cops stop me I'll give him an ice cream as a.... present

What about me i can't eat cold ice cream due to sensitive teeth but i'm ok drinking iced beer through a straw.

they should hand out cold beer instead......

Maybe next time the cops stop me I'll give him an ice cream as a.... present

As a present? Or a sweetener

Great idea and great place for a holiday too. Good on yer copper.

Tea money Ice cream money...whatever you call it, it is the same thing.

i would be naturally suspicious by anyone giving out something FOR FREE, specially from the coppers

if it is in a shopping mall and you get a free sample, no problems with that

who is "sponsering" this ?

"Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is one of Thailand’s most colorful festivals."

Yeah all the blood on the roads are so beautiful