Splash On! Songkran to Go Off Wild as Ever

[rooster59]

Splash On! Songkran to Go Off Wild as Ever

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Songkran revelers celebrate April 2014 on Khaosan Road in Bangkok.

 

BANGKOK — The Thai New Year festival, or Songkran, will be as fun as ever despite the ongoing mourning period for His Majesty the Late King, a top tourism official said Friday.

 

In Bangkok, the usual festivities will play out on Khaosan and Silom roads as usual, and state-sponsored events will be held nationwide for the festival’s days, which fall April 13 to 15, said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, though he added that revelers are advised to observe customs and behave appropriately.

 

“Songkran won’t be changed,” Yuthasak said by telephone. 

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/events/2017/03/25/splash-songkran-go-off-wild-ever/

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2017-03-25

 

 

 

RELATED: No celebration activities on Khao San road this coming Songkran water festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fruitman]

So can we also wear bright colored songkran shirts again?

[whoareyou]

There is another thread running that says Khaosan is canceled

[jollyhangmon]

So what is it then ...??

 

> ... the usual festivities will play out on Khaosan and Silom roads as usual ...<  ^^

 

vs.

 

 

... left hand / right hand ...?

[ezflip]

This is so confusing...

 

Typical in Thailand

[whoareyou]

Oh God this means the aging hippies and smelly back packers will decend on lower Sukhumvit bangkok if Khaosan is shut.

 

Pattaya starting to look good

 

 

[Captain_Bob]

Article posted 2 hours ago: "Khaosan Road Business Association president Piyabutr Jiwaramonaikul said no celebration activities will be held this year on Khao San road" 

 

And now: "Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand: “Songkran won’t be changed,” 

 

Try to get these two "authorities" in the same room ;-) 

[DavisH]

19 minutes ago, jollyhangmon said:

So what is it then ...??

 

> ... the usual festivities will play out on Khaosan and Silom roads as usual ...<  ^^

 

vs.

 

 

... left hand / right hand ...?

I wish they would make up their minds. You know you have been in Thailand too long when you are waiting to be told what to think or do.

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, whoareyou said:

There is another thread running that says Khaosan is canceled

Always amusing to read the completely contra-dictionary reports

[fruitman]

16 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Always amusing to read the completely contra-dictionary reports

Yup and maybe they change the plan again tomorrow or so.

[JAG]

2 hours ago, fruitman said:

So can we also wear bright colored songkran shirts again?

Yes, as long as they're in black ad white...

[metisdead]

A post using ALL CAPS has been removed, please refrain from posting in ALL CAPS, there is no need to shout:

 

Forum Netiquette
 
1. Please do not post in all capital letters, bold, unusual fonts, sizes or colors. It can be difficult to read.

[williamgeorgeallen]

well they have covered their bases. sure it will go on as always. been months since the unspoken one departed and everything else is back to normal right?

[dinsdale]

It's quite clear. Although Songkran is cancelled for Khaosan Rd. it will be the usual Songkran activities for Khaosan Rd. How can anyone not understand this. Clear as mud.

[geriatrickid]

Our SOP is to leave Thailand before  the madness starts. Best way of addressing the issue.

[bkkcanuck8]

10 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Our SOP is to leave Thailand before  the madness starts. Best way of addressing the issue.

I usually just hibernate during that period..... this year I might look out the window at how it is when there are no foreigners around.... hopefully it is more of a traditional celebration around here with a minimum of the madness.

[jabis]

14 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Our SOP is to leave Thailand before  the madness starts. Best way of addressing the issue.

Because they are having the festivities or because they are not having the festivities, then? Madness either way, lol 

[Destiny1990]

4 hours ago, jollyhangmon said:

So what is it then ...??

 

> ... the usual festivities will play out on Khaosan and Silom roads as usual ...<  ^^

 

vs.

 

 

... left hand / right hand ...?

Maybe go on but with 50%of the water.u guys need to learn to read between the lines

[nikmar]

Shall we toss a coin then. [emoji4]

Sent from my SM-J700F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[connda]

4 hours ago, whoareyou said:

There is another thread running that says Khaosan is canceled

Personal observation taken from the village I live in, but the official mourning period seems to be wearing thin here in rural Thailand with a country of people who work hard and then on occasion wish to play hard.  Over the last few months the locals have turned anything that they can into a cause to celebrate.  Buddhist holidays, weddings, funerals, government tree plantings, whatever.  However, since last Thursday and continuing through this weekend the village just went into party mode.  It seems that every second or third house has a sound system set up and blaring.  We're getting hit from three sides with the loudest being a truck with a mobile sound system mounted in the bed.  Everyone is playing music jacked to the max right along with off-key karaoke.  Lol.  Personally the noise doesn't bother me.  It will end Sunday, but the locals all over the Tambon are out in force and partying hardy.  Right down to tossing the black, white, and drab clothing and donning bright, festive colors.  It's actually good to see the village and villagers come back to life.  Really!  What's life if you can't enjoy it.  So personally, I don't think we'll be seeing a demure Songkran, at least here in Northern rural Thailand.  Thais want to get back to business as usual.  ohhhhh! Fireworks are going off.  I guess they can go back to mourning on Monday.  With all due respect.

Edited March 25, 2017 by connda

[Asiantravel]

4 hours ago, fruitman said:

So can we also wear bright colored songkran shirts again?

I noticed a huge number for sale in the department stores so presumably yes

[Global Guy]

Why restrict this wonderful holiday and pass up the opportunity to needlessly kill hundreds and injure thousands of people by bombarding them in the face with water as they drive/ride down the road?

 

Good clean fun right? Death and disability is just part of the fun.

[Billy Bloggs]

Yep Im off out of the country for the duration, even had to stay away a day longer as the trains were booked out trying to get back.

 

[whoareyou]

Why restrict this wonderful holiday and pass up the opportunity to needlessly kill hundreds and injure thousands of people by bombarding them in the face with water as they drive/ride down the road?
 
Good clean fun right? Death and disability is just part of the fun.

Unfortunately it's a second high season. Loads of westerners come here to see it. To much money to scrub it or even cut it back.

Eventually it will be restricted to a day or 2 but not anytime soon

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, jollyhangmon said:

So what is it then ...??

 

> ... the usual festivities will play out on Khaosan and Silom roads as usual ...<  ^^

 

vs.

 

 

... left hand / right hand ...?

It's simple... Khao San road is cancelled this year. everywhere else is as usual
what's the confusion??

 

[Wilsonandson]

Suppakrit Boonnyakhan who is the Director of the Phra Nakhon district office which supervises the Ko Sarn Road said late afternoon that there is no cancelation of the Songkran festival. Some aspects might be toned down out of respect during the mourning period but water fights with water pistols, talcum powder and wearing of flowery shirts is okay.

[Wilsonandson]

Ok I have done some research on Songkran 2017 Khao San Road. I have this google chrome translation from a good Thai newspaper.

 

I shall paste it in quotes

Songkran Festival on Khao San Road this year. Phranakhon Office requests cooperation with local operators. To be organized according to Thai tradition and to play the water as appropriate, because it is still in the process of offering. It will ask for the contest stage to stop playing the music of all kinds. Asked to play only plain water. Including the offerings of holy water. It is a tradition in Thailand. The Khao San road operators understand and cooperate with Bangkok. There will be activities focusing on the Thai way of worship at Santichai Prakan Park. The ceremony of inviting the Buddha. It is enshrined on the mantle in Sanam Luang, like every passing year. This year, it will be enshrined on the mondop in the courtyard of the City Hall, Bangkok City Hall.

 

"This year will focus on charitable giving as Thai way of life, the office of Phra Nakhon has urged entrepreneurs to be aware of the conservation of water play. According to tradition Not to dance Opens the song. No stage set But to splash water as usual. But it must be flour-free. Non-gun and non-pornographic And free of all kinds of alcohol. With emphasis on safety most. The entrepreneurs are pleased and cooperative, "said Phra Nakhon said

 

That is the situation. You will find out the proper translation in tomorrows news media until then it looks like songran in Khoa San Road is NOT cancelled.

[dcnx]

4 hours ago, connda said:

Personal observation taken from the village I live in, but the official mourning period seems to be wearing thin here in rural Thailand with a country of people who work hard and then on occasion wish to play hard.  Over the last few months the locals have turned anything that they can into a cause to celebrate.  Buddhist holidays, weddings, funerals, government tree plantings, whatever.  However, since last Thursday and continuing through this weekend the village just went into party mode.  It seems that every second or third house has a sound system set up and blaring.  We're getting hit from three sides with the loudest being a truck with a mobile sound system mounted in the bed.  Everyone is playing music jacked to the max right along with off-key karaoke.  Lol.  Personally the noise doesn't bother me.  It will end Sunday, but the locals all over the Tambon are out in force and partying hardy.  Right down to tossing the black, white, and drab clothing and donning bright, festive colors.  It's actually good to see the village and villagers come back to life.  Really!  What's life if you can't enjoy it.  So personally, I don't think we'll be seeing a demure Songkran, at least here in Northern rural Thailand.  Thais want to get back to business as usual.  ohhhhh! Fireworks are going off.  I guess they can go back to mourning on Monday.  With all due respect.

In general it seems no one really wanted to be inconvenienced. As always, money #1. 

[houlicha]

My old friend Commander Somchai, may he RIP, did his annual foray to the Philippines during Songkran. Allowed him to never miss a beat.

[Destiny1990]

Its good and interesting to make foreigners more understand what Songkraam is actually about because 95% of foreigners  thinks its a water fight for 7 days with lots of alchohol.