Songkran in Koh Samui, Thailand
THAI authorities are strongly urging locals and tourists alike to focus on culture and tradition rather than partake in drinking and massive water fights during this year’s Songkran Festival which kicks off today.
Songkran, or Thailand’s traditional New Year, is being celebrated from April 13-15 this year, and is usually a raucous affair where people splash each other with water.
But due to ongoing droughts, the worst the country has seen in decades, the government is calling for restraint on the injudicious use of water.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “TAT is following the government’s water-saving policy which encourages people to use water more conservatively when celebrating Songkran.”
“Songkran is the most important festival in the Thai calendar and is celebrated in different ways up and down the country. We want travellers to discover more about this unique Thai event and to get a taste of the huge range of distinct local festivals,” added Yuthasak, as he aims to focus this year’s celebrations on the more cultural aspects of Songkran.
Traditionally, this was the time when agricultural work would come to a halt for a few days so that Thais can pay respects to their ancestors and to senior family members by sprinkling their hands with scented water. It is also a time to visit temples and to bathe Buddhist statues in a symbolic gesture of purification.
Many celebratory events, such as Thai Beverage’s Water Festival 2016, will be featuring cultural activities as a result.
“I am very pleased to extend our support to Thai Beverage or any private organisations who’ve stepped forward to assist us in the preservation and promotion of Thai culture and, of course, the traditional way of celebrating Songkran,” commented Yuthasak.
The government also plans to restrict alcohol and behavior it considers improper this year.
“I would like to urge all Songkran revellers to use water sparingly while engaging in a Thai tradition that has been around for generations,” said Prayuth Chan-o-cha, prime minister of Thailand, during a national television broadcast, adding that improper attire and excessive alcohol consumption were “embarrassing, in particular for many foreigners.”
However, this has not stopped people from engaging in water gun fights and partying on the streets as the celebrations broke out in many parts of the country earlier this week.
Tourists are also still expected to flock to Thailand during this festive period with an expected 10 per cent increase in revenues from last year.
Youssef El Khomri, general manager, Mercure and ibis Erawan, says his properties are “running at high occupancy” and he is expecting a full house during the period.
