Government denies issuing Songkran water splashing ban

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As many of you know, much of Thailand is in the midst of a serious drought, affecting mostly north and east Thailand. Some areas are in serious danger of running out of water and some already have completely run out of water.

Over the past few weeks stories have appeared in the media saying the government is going to curtail the Songkran water splashing and in the most severely affected areas ban the water throwing altogether. Apparently those stories are not true.

By the way, so far Pattaya remains unaffected by the drought. There have been no water shortages in Pattaya, no urging to curtail water usage, and no mention of any kind of curtailment of Songkran water splashing. As a matter of fact, despite the drought, yesterday Pattaya was hit with a heavy rain - first rain seen here in at least two months. More rain is predicted for Pattaya through Thursday, this week.
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Govt denies Songkran water ban

27 Mar 2016

The government has denied a report on the social media that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has issued an order to allow splashing of water only on April 13, Songkran Day.

Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the government spokesman, said Gen Prayut had never issued such an order because under Thai tradition people can play with water throughout the festival, not only on Songkran Day.

The spokesman said the prime minister had said very clearly that water throwing would not be prohibited as it is a Thai way of life. He said only that he wanted all to bear in mind that in the wake of the drought crisis they should use water with full discretion while maintaining the fine tradition.

He called for people to be careful about taking in information, particularly from the social media.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... -water-ban
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PM has not banned water throwing at Songkran: govt

by Anapat Deechuay

The Nation
March 28, 2016

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd has denied reports Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is okay with water being thrown on only one day of the three-day Songkran Festival next month.
Sansern said the PM had made it clear that Songkran was a Thai way of life and it was impossible to ban water throwing during the festival.

"If the PM is going to issue any instruction, he is not going to talk to one person but [will talk to] the Cabinet,'' Sansern said.

Prayut has urged Thais to be aware of the water crisis in the country and celebrate Songkran responsibly, the spokesman said.

Sansern said police and concerned agencies would take action against websites that ran the water-ban story.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 82660.html