Thailand-
The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and get their insight and opinions. We then share their feedback a week later and pick a variety of diverse and interesting responses.
These questions, by the way, are read by authorities and we have had feedback on multiple occasions by those in local and regional power.
This week we are asking you the following: What should Thailand do about Songkran this year? Should it be canceled for the second year in a row? Postponed? Allowed with rules? Only traditional? Etc.
Although the current Covid-19 situation in Thailand appears to be mostly controlled in quarantined and restricted migrant communities in Samut Sakhon after a month of what seems to be improved across the rest of the country, some people are starting to look ahead to Thailand’s BIGGEST holiday-Songkran.
The Thai tourism industry is already betting big on this year’s Songkran, hoping that the Covid-19 situation will either be completely eased or eliminated like most of last year and that travel and events can once again take place. This will, in turn, allow domestic tourism to take place during the biggest holiday of the year for Thai people. This is also, by the way, the period of the year when most Thai people go home to be with their family, sending millions of people out of Bangkok and back to Northern provinces. Last year, authorities begged people not to go and travel restrictions helped limit the amount who did, although hundreds of thousands still traveled.
A two-year cancellation in a row would be “devastating” for Thai people said many tourism-related groups last week. Meanwhile, Pattaya is already looking ahead to the festival as a chance to bring thousands of people to Pattaya if the Covid-19 situation is improved as they did for the fireworks and music festival.
So, what do you think? Should Thailand allow the festival this year? Should they ban water play perhaps and only focus on the traditional parts of the event (family gathering, cleaning, blessing the elders, etc). Do you think the government should wait and see depending on the virus? Should small events be allowed at bars but maybe large gatherings banned? Do you think a ban on water play would work this year as it did last year? We urge you to think of this from a national/overall perspective and not based on if YOU personally enjoy the holiday or not.
You can reply to us here in the comments, on our social media channels, or mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com.
We look forward to your answers!
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