BANGKOK — Some people this year weren’t really looking forward to Songkran.
Even some of the thousands carrying colorful buckets and fully-loaded water guns Wednesday along Silom Road said that with all the strict rules being enforced, the water wars were less fun. Others simply ignored them.
Although police officers and security staff provided towels, requested revelers to empty water guns before entering buildings and stations and attempted to ban soaking wet people from coming in, the malls, BTS and MRT stations on Wednesday in Silom had slippery floors and were full of dripping wet Songkran party participants.
Dozens of vendors were lingering on the BTS Sala Daeng skywalk and street selling overpriced waterproof plastic bags and protective eye wear.
Many foreigners with high-pressure water guns were approached by officers who confiscated their water weapons. Photographers with DSLR cameras and tripods stationed on BTS skywalks and passengers commuting on open-air buses weren’t spared by water warriors. Some passengers traveling on a bus with open windows were angered as they were drenched with ice-cold water.
A few hours at Silom or Khaosan roads are enough to learn that during this Songkran festival many have ignored advice from the junta who recommended people conserve water, dress modestly and gently splash water at each other.
Dozens of police enforced an end to Songkran festivities at 9pm at Chakrabongse Road, next to Khaosan Road on Wednesday night.
Silom Road on Wednesday
Khaosan Road yesterday
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