Nation braces for Songkran fun and chaos
City celebrates early in traditional style
Authorities across the nation are bracing for huge crowds of revellers expected to flock to celebrate Songkran, the water splashing festival, late next week.
In Bangkok, a traditional Songkran festival kicked off yesterday.
The “Songkran Water Festival”, an event initiated by His Majesty the King, will take place at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Sua Pa until tomorrow.
At the Royal Plaza in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, the King Rama V equestrian statue is surrounded by myriad exquisite structures including a sand Buddhist stupa; a lotus pond adorned with a fountain and giant Thaistyle bowls; and a replica of the Suphannahong royal barge arrayed with the rich greenery of plants and flowers.
The event also features seven threedimensional portraits of traditional activities relevant to the Songkran festival drawn by the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, Silpakorn University and the Office of Traditional Arts, an agency under the umbrella of the Fine Arts Department.
There is an exhibition featuring pictures of the King and King Rama IX taking part in royal activities during previous Songkran festivals while another exhibition narrates the history of the Songkran New Year festival.
At Sanam Sua Pa, places for merit-making ceremonies, traditional performances and a food court are designated while a King’s Cup sand stupa competition is also being held with 40 teams competing.
Visitors are required to pass four security checkpoints and produce their ID cards for officials manning them before accessing the activities at both places. Water pistols and powder are not allowed.
Royal Thai Police spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda has ordered police officials nationwide to strengthen their forces to ensure security during the Songkran festival period between April 12-16.
People who participate in events will be strictly checked and screened for the sake of public security.
Meanwhile, Royal Irrigation Department chief Thongplew Kongchan said his department has prepared to release a sufficient amount of water from reservoirs and dams for people to enjoy the splashing festival, particularly in big cities and tourist spots.
In is expected that many tourists will flock to big cities such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and Phuket to celebrate the festival this year.
In Phuket, provincial governor Norrapat Plodthong encouraged Thais and foreign visitors to take part in an event to celebrate Songkran at the Phuket Historical Park in Thalang district.
Merit-making and water-pouring ceremonies will be held during the event which will feature local performances, food and handicrafts.
Visitors are encouraged to wear Thai traditional outfits. They are not allowed to carry water guns, powder, white paste or consume alcohol at the event.
In the Central region, 100,000 bottles of holy water produced by local revered monks will be distributed to motorists during the long holiday in Phitsanulok to raise awareness about traffic accidents and give them New Year blessings.
In Tak, a western province on the border with Myanmar, local authorities and villagers from Thailand and the neighbouring country will take part in a “Big Cleaning Day” on Monday at the 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Ban Rim Moei.
Wallop Wutthapanit, chief of the Mae Sot customs checkpoint, said the event aimed to improve the working environment of local offices along the border to welcome travellers who cross the border during Songkran.