Dry Songkran

[thrillbill]

So will this REALLY be enforced during Songkran?

News ┬╗ Local News

Alcohol may be banned for Songkran
By: Bangkokpost.com
Published: 13/02/2009 at 07:47

PM Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai is at odds with his deputy over the banning of alcohol sales during Songkran this year.

Mr Witthaya on Friday said he wanted to be certain that any regulations announced for curbing alcohol sales during long holidays would not affect the hotel industry.

"I don't want the anti-alcohol campaign to worsen the tourism industry,'' he said.

But his deputy Manit Nopamornbodee fully supported such a ban, saying the campaign has to be undertaken in a bid to reduce deaths and road accidents.

Mr Witthaya said he would discuss the issue with his deputy before making any decision on alcohol regulations. He would also listen to the Alcohol Watch Network's proposal aimed at reducing the number of road accidents during long weekends.

Mr Manit, who oversees the anti-drink-driving campaign, earlier said the sale of alcohol would be prohibited during Songkran holidays.

The official holiday for Songkran is between April 13 and April 15.

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Alcohol deprivation is trivial beside the sheer bad manners of being frequently attacked because one is a foreigner.

[x in pattaya]

Alcohol deprivation is trivial beside the sheer bad manners of being frequently attacked because one is a foreigner.

Presumably this relates specifically to Songkran rather than some campaign of physical abuse to which you find yourself regularly subjected?

While I try to limit the amount of time I'm out and about in Pattaya during Songkran, it seems that people get drenched without regard to race, creed or national origin. If anything, the ones who are most responsible for the relentless attacking tend to be farang, generally those who are well & truly inebriated and especially those positioned along Beach Rd.

Alcohol deprivation is trivial beside the sheer bad manners of being frequently attacked because one is a foreigner.

Presumably this relates specifically to Songkran rather than some campaign of physical abuse to which you find yourself regularly subjected?

While I try to limit the amount of time I'm out and about in Pattaya during Songkran, it seems that people get drenched without regard to race, creed or national origin. If anything, the ones who are most responsible for the relentless attacking tend to be farang, generally those who are well & truly inebriated and especially those positioned along Beach Rd.

Sorry. I didn't realise that discussion on this board is limited to Pattaya. My perception and experiences of Songkran extends beyond Pattaya and I do perceive that many Thais seem to think they gain greater merit for soaking Farang.

Anyway, It's not an experience I will be widening; there is no way, I will ever spend Songkran in Thailand again.

[x in pattaya]

Sorry. I didn't realise that discussion on this board is limited to Pattaya.

Of course it's not limited to Pattaya. I was merely sharing my observations from Pattaya where I experience Songkran each year. Songkran in Pattaya is generally considered to be more extreme than elsewhere.

My perception and experiences of Songkran extends beyond Pattaya and I do perceive that many Thais seem to think they gain greater merit for soaking Farang.

Anyway, It's not an experience I will be widening; there is no way, I will ever spend Songkran in Thailand again.

Awww. Why don't you make a list of all the things about Thailand that offend your sensibilities. I see a new TAT campaign in the making! :salute:

I guess some foreigners are more foreign than others.

Awww. Why don't you make a list of all the things about Thailand that offend your sensibilities. I see a new TAT campaign in the making! :salute:

I have.

[quiet1]

"Songkran" = that one time of the year that my 91-year old mother in America can be assured of my visit for at least a week.

[thrillbill]

... I think the irritation of Songkran depends if 1) you are here for the first time as a tourist 2) what city you are staying. I can handle a couple days of Songkran (not working then) but in Pattaya (live here because of job) it lasts for over a week--so it gets a bit tiring to walk everywhere for over a week and get "baptised" by some laughing Thai or farang. So, I usually fly out of LOS and go elsewhere.

The problem with highway deaths during Songkran is due to drunks driving on the road and idiot bystanders who throw water at cyclists. Most (not all) of these injuries and deaths are with the Thai population. True, the vacationing farangs are also throwing water and acting like idiots but (the majority) would be on foot, not driving a car.

I have 6 weeks today and i be in LOS ...I be in Phuket for the songkran
i never been in thailand while it there songkran
this Post sounds like a warning

[krobbie]

I also have yet to experience Songkran. I look forward to reading the posts mid March though. They consistently make my month due to the varying protestations/joy from all.

IMHO I would think it would be a better idea to have more of a crackdown on people drink-driving or acting in a dangerous fashion by throwing water at motorised transport, especially motocy riders.

Limiting alcohol sales just discourages tourism even more. It's not just the fact that you can't but alcohol at your local bar. The point here is ... it is enforced prohibition. With so many religious and other auspicious alcohol free days (prohibition) it is just one more trap that the unwary traveler may fall into. Yet another reason NOT to spend money in Thailand.

I myself am not bothered much as I am just happy with tea or gingerale these days and therefore not open to all sorts of abuse from people saying "can't you go without for 3 days". Not the point. Choice should always be with the individual, which is why we choose democracy ... IMHO.

Cheers
krobbie