Tourists invited to join non-alcohol Songkran in Hua Hin

[buksida]

The Hua Hin Mayor has invited tourists to celebrate Songkran Festival in Hua Hin district. A No Alcohol campaign will be promoted to reduce the accident rate during the festival.

Mr.Nopporn Vuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin, says that the Songkran Festival will be celebrated in several places around Muang Hua Hin Municipality. On April 11, the first day of the festival, there is a Phra Phutthasihing Buddha Image showering ceremony, traditional dancing shows, a Pee Pung Dtai game and musical performances at Phon Gingpetch public park, in addition to a Songkran Parade around the town. Moreover, in front of the Market Village shopping mall, the 2014 Songkran Foam Party will be unleashed.

People can enjoy the foam, performances by famous artists and fun activities with free gifts throughout the party. During April 11-14, the Songkran Festival at the Cicada Market includes a Buddha image water rinsing ceremony, a presentation of unique Songkran desserts, a musical play and many amusing activities. The event runs from 16.00 – 23.00 hours. All tourists are invited to join the Songkran festival celebration in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The festival is non-alcoholic to help reduce the accident rate.

Source: Pattaya Mail

[blue05]

I have heard the non alcohol is advisery rather than law , anyone know

[kendo]

Tourists still have to get to these specific locations and run the gauntlet of water and traffic so that's well thought out.
In my opinion people normally like to really get into the spirit of the festivities or stay indoors and miss the whole Songkran .

Kendo.

[hhfarang]

Yeah, I posted a link to the news article yesterday in the Motoring Songkran deaths thread. I noticed an additional article today that almost reads like they are going to enforce a mandatory alcohol ban. What's not clear is if it is only at sponsored events or all over the province...

"PRACHUAB KHIRIKAN, 5 April 2014 (NNT) -Every part of Thailand is poised for the upcoming Songkran Festival where water splashing events are held nation wide.

In the province of Prachuab Khirikan, the governor has ordered all local Songkran organizers, both public and private, to focus on an alcohol-free festival

The governor Veera Sriwattanakul said every unit involved, such as police, local administration offices, the media, and volunteers, had cooperated in the province's plan to lower the number of road accidents.

Prachuab Khirikan is a major tourist destination and also a city connecting the central plain to the South which means the traffic on Prachuap Khirikan's key highway will be heavy during the Songkran holiday.

The risk of fatal road accidents is much higher during the festival, especially where the drinking of alcohol is involved. The sale of alcohol is closely monitored by authorities and those who violate the law will be punished. Local administrative offices which plan to hold water splashing or other cultural events should make sure that the fun occasion is alcohol-free."

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/new ... 4050010002

[usual suspect]

Rumours are out around town that Pratchuap will be a dry town over songkran..had 4 Englishmen who have change their plans & are staying here for N.Yr.. BUT,you do realise this may spread!..
..every year 100's of Thais are killed or injured on the roads during S'kran..so the powers-that-be will be looking to close all tourist-bars over the N.Yr period..(same as the closing of bars in tourist zones affect the outcome of any elections)..

[taffinexile]

I hope it's not dry. I arrive on the 12th which is my birthday.

[ste860]

im pretty sure it means the areas that have organized events are going to stop under age drinking and only licenced premises can sell beer etc ,

[MareeT]

@taffinexile..........I'm with you.....my birthday also. Cheers

[buksida]

I'd suggest booking a holiday to a Muslim country such as Malaysia or Indonesia, drink is forbidden for devout followers and a little more expensive but as tourists you can get one whenever you like!

[Takiap]

Well I think I'll decline this kind invitation and enjoy the day as I've always done, complete with the beers and crazy water throwing. A great day out for the kids.

[kendo]

I'd suggest booking a holiday to a Muslim country such as Malaysia or Indonesia, drink is forbidden for devout followers and a little more expensive but as tourists you can get one whenever you like!

A chap I know has just returned from working in Indonesia the photos on his phone you would never believe he was in a Muslim country plenty of bars and with no shortage of lady's.

Kendo.

[Gregjam]

Songkran has lost its appeal to me despite it being my birthday. It seems to have become an excuse for for drunkeness and in some cases molesting females both Thai and Farang. I stay at home and this year will enjoy a few beers with my family indoors.

[Pleng]

From what I read the title of the article was very misleading...

Title: Tourists invited to join non-alcohol Songkran in Hua Hin

Article content:
* The Hua Hin Mayor has invited tourists to celebrate Songkran Festival in Hua Hin district.
* A No Alcohol campaign will be promoted to reduce the accident rate during the festival.

Two separate sentences, two separate points, which have been lumped together as "Sonkran will be alcohol free in Hua Hin"

[Korkenzieher]

Am I missing something here? Are they advertising an alcohol free festival to tourists, to try to combat Thai alcohol abuse issues?

[Takiap]

Songkran has lost its appeal to me despite it being my birthday. It seems to have become an excuse for for drunkeness and in some cases molesting females both Thai and Farang. I stay at home and this year will enjoy a few beers with my family indoors.

To be honest, I haven't noticed much change at all since 1997. If anything, I would say it's quieter these days.Enjoy it while you can.