Pattaya-
Pattaya City police chief Kunlachart Kunlachai spoke with The Pattaya News this afternoon and made it clear-public water splashing and fights is forbidden this year during the Songkran festival or Thai New Year.
Due to Covid19 concerns, for the third year in a row Thailand’s famous water fights during Songkran were banned nationwide in public by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA.
In Pattaya, the city’s famous city wide Wan Lai festival traditionally on the 19th has been replaced by ceremonial activities at local temples.
The Police chief also, pun intended, poured cold water on hopes for “restaurant” owners who wanted to have water splashing in front of their venues, saying it was prohibited in public as it could spread Covid-19.
He also added that the popular activity of driving around in trucks and throwing water is also banned.
Finally, the Chief also discouraged alcohol drinking during the festival, especially for driving, and instead urged people to enjoy traditional activities like paying respect to the elderly and making merit at temples, saying this could be just as rewarding and enjoyable.
Pattaya Police have pledged a major traffic safety campaign during the festival and will also be looking for people violating the public water splashing rules. According to the chief they would mostly warn people without fines at first in regards to water splashing but if people continued to break the rules legal action could apply.
TPN notes that many expat readers are likely pleased by the news although many tourist and business owners that usually rely on the wild waterfights for revenue and tourism are not. The water fight portion of the festival is incredibly divisive with most people either loving or hating the water splashing with little in between. For now, however, that portion will wait at least another year.
