People urged to use water sparingly during Songkran festival

[webfact]

People urged to use water sparingly during Songkran festival

BANGKOK, 17 March 2016 (NNT) - Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul discussed with officials of the Ministry of Culture a planned campaign for the public to use water sparingly while still engaging in Songkran festival and other cultural activities during drought season.

The campaign will limit zones for water-splashing festivities in major provinces such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen where there will be fewer water distribution points.

She revealed that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has called on tour companies to inform foreigners of proper etiquette during the water-splashing events to help promote the country’s good image.


-- NNT 2016-03-17

[jaltsc]

"...engaging in Songkran festival and other cultural activities..."

So, getting rip roaring drunk and trying to injure others with high pressure water guns is now a Thai cultural activity. I can't wait to see how they sanitize the "cultural activities" of Pattaya.

"...there will be fewer water distribution points."

This will be accomplished by draining the rivers and moats.

"Ministry of Tourism and Sports has called on tour companies to inform foreigners of proper etiquette during the water-splashing events to help promote the country’s good image."

Any tour company promising a an exciting and pleasurable dry Songkran should be out of business by the next day.

[NongKhaiKid]

Use water sparingly !

And the whole nation collectively sprang to attention, saluted or waied, and said " Yes Khun Minister, No Khun Minister, Three Bags Full Khun Minister "

[leeneeds]

"proper etiquette " does that mean no bra- less ladies showing off their lumps and bumps ?

My optic nerve's will be disappointed.

[deckape]

People urged to use water sparingly during Songkran festival

[DM07]

Yep!

That will happen!

[Caveat Emptor]

Please come and enjoy our festival and bring all your lovely money but don't do as we do just do as we should but never do.

[marko kok prong]

As if any notice will be taken,thank God i will miss the whole ghastly thing,as i will be in the Philippines,relaxing on a beach,in reasonable tempratures,and only getting wet when i swim.

[cmsally]

Geez this is about the lack/shortage of one of the most important natural resources and they still harp on about image ,

un f..... believable!

[thai3]

If there is one event which displays the true nature of Thais to the world it's songkran. Childish, selfish, dangerous and pointless.

[bark]

This is an important tourist event. Both from local and foreigners. If they make it no fun people will go to other countries. Better to ask people

to reduce water use from now to Songkran; even 5 %. Then let everyone enjoy for 3 days.

[Geoffggi]

So the local authorities still remain spineless when it comes to making tough decisions and standing up to be counted, everyone knows that asking people not to do something will have no effect what so ever, why not do the right thing and state Songkran will only be permitted on three days and will cease at 18:00hrs on these three days like it used to be before the local government saw Songkran as a money making racket instead of the Thai New Year celebrations.

[madmitch]

If Phuket can manage with a day and a half then why can't everywhere else?

[soalbundy]

They have also been urged to wear crash helmets, that worked well didn't it.

[chicowoodduck]

As if any notice will be taken,thank God i will miss the whole ghastly thing,as i will be in the Philippines,relaxing on a beach,in reasonable tempratures,and only getting wet when i swim.

I'm just back form the Philippines...still the same shi* hole as always....taking in the Maldives this time around and so very happy to miss all the DRY? Songkran activities in Pattaya.....my guess it will be twice as wet....lol...:-(

[soalbundy]

Let them throw beer

[DM07]

If there is one event which displays the true nature of Thais to the world it's songkran. Childish, selfish, dangerous and pointless.

...yep...and I love it! (for one day, that is!)

[Kabula]

It's being acknowledged and confirmed water is getting scarce and people misbehave. My question is why still have it and waste the world’s most precious, life sustaining resource? I personally hate the water festival and stay in my home.

[Ceruhe]

Does anybody will like collecting all the topics from the past 2 weeks about....Songkran is gonna happen, no worries! We are short on water so please..... We need to celebrate songkran to the fullest! Some restrictions apply.... Party Party Songkran sanook sanook! But but....

<deleted>, why are the news here always the same and thus predictable? I'm not going to be surprised about the next songkran "news" that will pretty much say "nothing to worry" again followed by a "we are short on water".

[bangon04]

They have also been urged to wear crash helmets, that worked well didn't it.

and not to throw litter in the street, p*** in the street and s*** in the canals.

[Searat7]

"proper etiquette " does that mean no bra- less ladies showing off their lumps and bumps ?

My optic nerve's will be disappointed.

Don't forget that some topless ladyboys are usually arrested each year at Songkran

[Tatsujin]

Despite these "requests" to use less water, I'm expecting the usual nose to tail train of drunk morons on their skinny-wheeled bikes and no mufflers and trucks with their beds full of water tanks to continue their normal endless parade on the On Nut Road circuit from 6am to at least midnight for 6 or 7 days, i.e. same same as every year.

[freebyrd]

They have also been urged to wear crash helmets, that worked well didn't it.

April 1st 1995, the 'new' law re helmets was to be 'strictly enforced'. On the way to work by bus, Thonglor to Pratunam, I counted 50+ with no helmet. Good luck getting people with no concept of responsibility or discipline, with the minds of children to boot, stopping this once proud celebration that has turned into the shameful soaking of all and sundry.

Now I'll wait for all the slingshots from those who think they are an embedded part of Thai society and so much more well versed in maters such as this than a 'novice' (25+ years) such as I.

[Jonmarleesco]

'Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul ... revealed that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has called on tour companies to inform foreigners of proper etiquette ...' First I knew Songkran recognised any etiquette. If there really is such a thing, they would do better to instruct the Thais in it before presuming to lecture foreigners.

[Thaidream]

Thailand has a serious drought problem and the government should be limiting the throwing of water to 1 day only. In addition, advertising the ban on TV and Radio so people understand the country is in a crisis. If your government never asks for your help then a citizen does not understand the serious nature of the problem. The other days of Songkran can be filled with food festivals; concerts or beauty pageants. Throwing water is a waste of time and resources. Where is Section 44 when it is actually needed?

[soalbundy]

use sea water,that's wet. Sorry i cant take a ministers post, i don't have a work permit.

[Gonsalviz]

Yeah right. Like that will happen.