Revellers splash the cash during Thai celebrations
Hong Kong’s Thai community marked the traditional start of their new year by celebrating the Songkran festival yesterday, although some complained of a watered-down version due to newly added restrictions.
A special bazaar was set up as part of the government’s “night vibes” campaign to boost the evening economy. Some merchants in the Kowloon City neighbourhood where festivities were being held said they hoped the event could help drive up consumption by as much as 20 per cent before it ended today.
Revellers celebrate Songkran by throwing and spraying water to symbolically send luck and happiness. But instead of the neighbourhood-wide celebration of the past, water splashing with buckets and water guns was confined to basketball courts in Carpenter Road Park after three men were arrested for soaking police officers and reporters last year.
Louis Wong, 39, joined the water-splashing celebrations with his nine-year-old son and sevenyear-old daughter for the first time after moving to the neighbourhood several years ago.
“The scale used to be bigger,” he said. “The ambience was better because everyone on the street would be drawn into the festivity. There was no way they could avoid getting wet.”
Participants needed to book a slot before they were granted entry to the basketball courts. Eight rounds, limited to 300 participants each, were open for registration online or on the spot. Wong said he booked for 2pm but did not gain entry until 3.30pm.
University graduate Ffion Trundell arrived from Britain earlier to visit a friend. She knew about the festival because her friend’s stepmother is from Thailand. “It is my first time in Asia. It is really fun,” she said. “I tried the Thai food and culture. It was really cool.”
Yotham Sunittha, 50, a waitress at a Thai restaurant in the area, said moving to the Carpenter Road Park was the “correct decision”.
“Those who want to join can still join the activities. But passers-by and onlookers don’t have to worry about getting wet.”
At the adjacent bazaar, stalls touted a range of Thai and local delicacies, such as curry fishballs, coconut water and meat skewers. There was also live music and Thai boxing displays to enjoy.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing visited the bazaar with Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen and Thai consul general Chaturont Chaiyakam.
Cheuk said some of the performers had flown from Thailand for the three-day festival. Chaiyakam joined in the water spraying and they both left soaked after 10 minutes, he added.
“To revitalise the neighbourhood’s economy, merchants in Kowloon City have provided various discounts to allow residents and tourists to spend happily together,” he said. “I hope everyone has a great time. I would also like to express my gratitude here.”
Mak said if people were found splashing water outside the basketball courts, she believed law enforcers would show discretion.
Sellers were offering chilled young coconuts for HK$22 a piece and a set of five skewers for HK$80. A masseuse in charge of a booth offering a 15-minute Thai massage for HK$30 said they used traditional Thai ointment but customers could also choose herbal balls or hot stones.
A coconut seller surnamed Yau said she expected to sell her entire inventory of 500 fruits.
A Thai restaurateur, who had also set up a stall offering coconuts and skewers, said he hoped the celebration would help drive spending in the neighbourhood.
“I hope sales will be 10 to 20 per cent higher than last year,” he said.