Songkran celebration amid tight security
Songkran celebration amid tight security
People nationwide celebrated Thailand's Songkran festival, or traditional New Year, in joy as they offered alms to Buddhist monks and splashed water, either modestly, according to tradition, or more vigorously, in contemporary style.
The general atmosphere on Bangkok's Khao San Road was active as both locals and foreigners participated in the water festival amid tight security measures imposed by police after the city experienced a bombing earlier this week.
But the situation in the three restive southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat was quite subdued as most families decided to depart their native towns and celebrate the festival elsewhere.
Apirak Kosayothin, Bangkok governor, presided at a merit-making ceremony in which alms and breakfast were offered to 10 senior monks and 181 other monks at Sanam Luang.
Representatives of the public and private sectors also joined in the ceremony.
Security checkpoints have been set up jointly by the metropolitan administration and Bangkok Metropolitan police as part of stepped-up security measures in the Thai capital.
Authorities also gave drivers breathalyser tests in a bid to eliminate driving under the influence of alcohol and ro reduce traffic deaths. Nine persons were killed and 78 injured in Bangkok last year during the festival.
Both uniformed and plainclothes police as well as other BMA officers searched suspected people at checkpoints to ensure that no untoward incident take place.
Several business operators along the normally congested Khao San Road complained that the numbers of tourists this year had fallen compared to 2006 and that their businesses were not doing well.
Expressing the spirit of fun and joy, however, was Swedish beauty Sarah Ericson, crowned as this year's Miss International Songkran Khao San Road, who said she loved Songkran while she had an opportunity to wear beautiful Thai dress and splashing water at others. She said she was unafraid of possible incidents and was confident regarding security measures provided in the area.
Another highlight of the exciting events along Khao San Road was seen when Phornsiri Manoharn, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), presided at a ceremony which was joined by South Korean movie heartthrob Kim Jeong Hoon, in his capacity as his country's special tourism ambassador.
Mrs. Phornsiri said the popular movie star joined the event in order to attract more Asian tourists to Khao San during future Songkran festivals. She said TAT estimated that about Bt9 billion would change hands during this year's festival.
In Yala province, few people were on streets to celebrate. Only a small group of children was seen throwing water to passing motorcyclists. Most families had left town to celebrate elsewhere, due to the ongoing violence which has haunted the region for more than three years. The atmosphere in nearby Narathiwat and Pattani was likewise subdued.
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