The Songkhran festival is a fun part of living in Thailand! Not that I go out these days to throw water around. The kids and young people have a very wonderful time getting doused and dousing whomever they can.
You can also access my photos of the event through my Thailand Photo Album or from my Songkhran 2006 Album.
Songkran ‘water’ festival cools Thailand’s political temperature
By Channel NewsAsia’s IndoChina Correspondent Ken Teh
BANGKOK : Thailand’s New Year or Songkran ‘water’ festival has cooled the kingdom’s political temperature.
Anti-government protests have eased and Thais are putting aside their political differences to celebrate the nation’s biggest holiday, which officially starts on Thursday.There’s yet another battle being fought on the streets of Bangkok, but it is a much more ‘watered down’ version of the massive political protests that gripped the capital in the past few weeks.The kingdom is celebrating the Thai New Year, or Songkran festival, and Thais are out in force enjoying several days of water and powder fights.
And tourists who shunned the kingdom due to the political turmoil are back. One study estimates a 15 percent increase in visitors compared to last year’s festive season.
One French tourist says: “It’s incredible I’ve never seen anything like this in my whole life.”
A German tourist says: “So many happy lucky people here, I enjoy it very much.”
A Canadian tourist adds: “You just give a gun to an adult and everyone just becomes a kid, it’s completely crazy.”
Traditionally, Songkran is a family occasion, a day the Thais sprinkle water on their loved ones for good luck.
But the sprinkling turned into full-fledged fights in recent years, which spiralled out of control.
So this year, the authorities are banning the use of powerful water guns, which have caused many injuries.
The police have also launched a nationwide crackdown on drunk driving to reduce the high number of road fatalities that occur during the celebrations.
But the focus this year is really on unity and renewal.
Sanam Luang, the site of massive anti-government protests in the past month, has been replaced by numerous cultural activities.
There are even special Songkran cultural booths representing the different regions of Thailand.
Vendors from Thailand’s diverse regions gathered in Bangkok say they have put aside their political differences for the Songkran festival.
A Thai man from Chiang Mai says: “We had arguments before, but now we hope that all Thais will all come together and celebrate Songkran.”
One girl from southern Thailand says: “I hope that Songkran festival will make people cool off and teach people how to love and work together for our king.”
So despite the political tensions that divided the nation, it’s clear the true spirit of Songkran isn’t lost on most Thais. – CNA/de
