Phuket Police Crack Down on Inappropriate Songkran Celebrations

[Jacob Maslow]

Phuket police are cracking down on inappropriate Songkran celebrations this year. Local authorities have barred alcohol in water-play zones, sexy outfits, sexy dancing and water-fight trucks. The crackdown follows a national order to support a traditional Songkran festival, which will run from April 13-14.

Police have also banned the mixing of foam, powder or ice with the water used to bless festival celebrants. Water guns are also prohibited. Col Kraithong Chanthongbai, Phuket City Police Superintendent, suggests using a traditional water bowl to offer water blessings.

Chanthongbai says celebrants should dress appropriately and suggests participants wear traditional Thai costumes. Those partaking in the festival should also avoid inappropriate dancing and behavior.

These new rules will be especially enforced at the Songkran No Al party on Limelight Avenue in Phuket Town. Police will check for drugs, alcohol, weapons and cigarettes. To keep partygoers in line, officers will be patrolling the areas around the event.

Phuket’s “No Al” party is designed to help reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents during holidays, which account for 39% of accidents on the road.

To attract young celebrants to the alcohol-free party, a free concert will be held featuring the pop-rock band Paradox. The “Sonkran No Al” Party will offer teens a safe place to enjoy the festival in an alcohol-free environment.

-- 2015-04-02

[bangkokfrog]

A typo? I think this should have been dated April 1 rather than today.

[ColdSingha]

surprised they didn't ban the rock music too

[NongKhaiKid]

A typo? I think this should have been dated April 1 rather than today.

Some great ideas though such as go out in your traditional costume and get it ruined. Surprised foreigners not asked to dress appropriately too, wearing a three piece suite would be about right.

[PHP87]

No sexy outfits?

No water guns?

But that's the best part of Songkran!

[jaywalker]

"Police will check for drugs, alcohol, weapons and cigarettes."

They should turn on a fire hose at those naughty people caught with cigarettes.

The last thing in the world you'll see is someone smoking at Songkran.

[madmitch]

As the esteemed Prime Minister would put it: "Bringing Happiness to the People".

[steelepulse]

Won't happen. They say the same thing every year.

[ldiablo]

This country is moving back in time instead of forward all thanks to you know who.

[mr chow]

Phuket police are cracking down on inappropriate Songkran celebrations this year. Local authorities have barred alcohol in water-play zones, sexy outfits, sexy dancing and water-fight trucks

Might as well cancel Songkran!

[lumply]

Phuket police are cracking down on inappropriate Songkran celebrations this year. Local authorities have barred alcohol in water-play zones, sexy outfits, sexy dancing and water-fight trucks

Might as well cancel Songkran!

Would'nt go quite that far but certainly lock up the idiotic Farang element for a day or two. But then one might argue that it's not unlawful to be an idiot.

[Ocicat]

Police will just hail the miscreants to the police station, fine them 100 baht and set them free to continue what they were doing.

[Johnny S]

Phuket police are cracking down on inappropriate Songkran celebrations this year. Local authorities have barred alcohol in water-play zones, sexy outfits, sexy dancing and water-fight trucks

Might as well cancel Songkran!

I wish they would but that would cost touristmoney and loosing Money is NOT an obtion - Who cares about all the roadkillings due to that ridiculous Water/piss spraying carnage

[jerojero]

Banning sexy dances. OMG! Puritans are coming Puritans are coming! Cover your ankles ladies! Un-F***Believable. Gasp

[mcfish]

Shame its only Phuket

[bangon04]

As the esteemed Prime Minister would put it: "Bringing Happiness to the People".

Can hardly wait to see the TAT press release spinning this one.....

maybe a video to go with it showing the correct behaviour for Songkran (non) celebrations.

[northernphil]

Banning ciggies. I nearly wet myself. Still, better now than later in Phuket.

[wgdanson]

Shame its only Phuket

Yes. Pattaya is the worst of all. BAN IT.

[thaiguzzi]

Ban everything. Everywhere. Exterminate. Invade Poland, sorry, i meant Cambodia. 10 years for smiling. Life for having fun. And we've only just started folks...