No water-splashing activities allowed in Bangkok during Songkran this year, several authorities confirm

Bangkok –

There will be no water-splashing activities in Bangkok for Songkran this year, several authorities confirmed today, March 28th.

Dr. Suthat Chottanapund, director of the department’s Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, told the Associated Press this afternoon regarding the regulations and rules for Songkran in the capital that the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) committee had been discussing the matter today and would finalize and draft them as measures with Bangkok’s Commission of the Disease committee.

However, he stressed that despite the talks and discussions, water/foam-splashing activities and similar celebrations would still be prohibited for Songkran this year.

“The measures were not fully drafted yet but they would be more relaxed. However, splashing water was still not allowed. Drinking alcohol allowance was not yet discussed but it was likely to be eased. Gathering to drink alcohol was still a risk and there were both positive and negative comments regarding the issue. In the end, the authorities may allow drinking at an SHA+ establishment but gathering and drinking may not be recommended,” the director said.

Dr. Suthat Chottanapund

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also affirmed the ban of water-splashing activities and urged the public to wait for another year as the country was approaching the plan to call the disease endemic.

He said: “We’ll still need to reduce the risk of the Covid-19 spread from as many aspects as possible. Gathering and splashing water for Songkran celebration were still a risk, so please wait for a year as we were working to call the Covid-19 as endemic….And once it was accomplished, a lot of measures and regulations would be eased.”

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Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October, 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.