BANGKOK (DPA) — Warm, wet and wild is the best way to describe Thailand's Songkran Festival.

Celebrated each year in mid-April, when the temperatures are at their hottest, Thai New Year is marked by a three-day, nationwide water fight, as people in every province drench one another with water guns and hoses, and smear white powder onto each other's faces.

A file photo shows Thais and tourists joining the annual Songkran Festival celebration, the Thai traditional New Year, also known as the water festival in Silom district of Bangkok, Thailand, 13 April 2014. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

But among traditionalists, including some in the government, there is growing concern over Songkran's wilder aspects, which includes heavy alcohol consumption and skimpy clothing.

"I think Songkran these days involves too much drinking, too many public displays of affection and too many obscene gestures," said 84-year-old Yisoon Laohateeranonda.

"I wish it was more traditional and family-oriented."

In response to such complaints, the government and local authorities have said they will ban revealing clothing, along with the sale and consumption of alcohol and high-pressure water guns in some areas.

The Bangkok mayor's office says it will enforce the bans in Silom, one of the most popular areas to celebrate in the Thai capital.

The tighter controls, outlined in an eight-point official plan, has upset some Songkran revellers.

"This is a special occasion for celebration," said Yuthawit Boonkhoom, a 21-year-old university student. "People should be able to celebrate how they want to."

Existing laws already address such issues as drunk driving, public nudity and sexual harassment, Yuthawit said.

"Additional restrictions are making it less enjoyable. But I want to drink and have a good time, so nothing will stop me," he added.

Although Songkran has not been Thailand's official new year since 1888, when the country adopted the Western calendar, it remains one of the most important national holidays.

Many Thais try to promote traditional ways of celebrating Songkran. In the government's eight rules, people are encouraged to wear traditional Thai clothes and participate in activities that promote Thai values.

People are advised to sprinkle water on to Buddha images and monks to receive blessings, to pour water onto elderly family members' hands to show respect, and to throw water at each other in a friendly way, according to a book published by the cultural promotion department.

"Songkran was very low key when I was younger," said Yisoon, the 84-year-old. "It was quite religious. We would go to temples and there was very little water splashing going on."

The festival's humble beginnings involved family gatherings and water blessings. Water is traditionally used to symbolize purification, washing away the bad and welcoming the good for the coming year.

"Songkran has undergone dramatic change," said Mike Robinson, a cultural heritage professor at the University of Birmingham in Britain. "The performances and practices that we see today are largely a reinvention from the 1950s … It has evolved into a tourism event for both Thais and foreigners."

The celebrations have turned into large, riotous street parties.

Convoys of pickup trucks loaded with people and water tanks cruise around town soaking passersby. Armies of people roam city streets to splash and get splashed. The atmosphere is high-energy and cheerful, usually with lots of laughter and smiles.

Commercialized celebrations in major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen attract people from around the world.

Thailand's tourism industry has seen a surge in foreign tourist arrivals the past few decades, tripling since the late 1990s.

More than 2.6 million people are expected to visit this year during the holiday period, generating more than 446 million US dollars in revenue for the economy, according to the national tourism authority.

"The festival has been adapted to fit the growing number of tourists," said Robinson. "What were once small practices during the festival have become magnified so the sprinkling of water has been transformed into the throwing of water."

"I know that Songkran should be spent visiting family and going to temples," said Theeradet Suphannabut. "But that shouldn't stop me from having fun and enjoying myself during the holiday."

"I can balance spending time with my family and throwing water or partying with friends," he said.

"Songkran has combined old and new ways," said Robinson.

Bangkok exemplifies that combination with all kinds of celebrations, from traditional riverside events and live cultural performances to hotel pool parties and electronic dance music festivals.

Over time, all festivals evolve and adapt themselves to different social, cultural, economic and political situations. There is no right or wrong, but rather only what is appropriate for the local community, according to Robinson.

"Festivals symbolise and enact change," he said. "They are about allowing people and societies to change and help them celebrate the change."

(Reporting by Siraphob Thanthong-Knight)

BANGKOK (DPA) — Warm, wet and wild is the best way to describe Thailand’s Songkran Festival.

Celebrated each year in mid-April, when the temperatures are at their hottest, Thai New Year is marked by a three-day, nationwide water fight, as people in every province drench one another with water guns and hoses, and smear white powder onto each other’s faces.

But among traditionalists, including some in the government, there is growing concern over Songkran’s wilder aspects, which includes heavy alcohol consumption and skimpy clothing.

“I think Songkran these days involves too much drinking, too many public displays of affection and too many obscene gestures,” said 84-year-old Yisoon Laohateeranonda.

“I wish it was more traditional and family-oriented.”

In response to such complaints, the government and local authorities have said they will ban revealing clothing, along with the sale and consumption of alcohol and high-pressure water guns in some areas.

The Bangkok mayor’s office says it will enforce the bans in Silom, one of the most popular areas to celebrate in the Thai capital.

The tighter controls, outlined in an eight-point official plan, has upset some Songkran revellers.

“This is a special occasion for celebration,” said Yuthawit Boonkhoom, a 21-year-old university student. “People should be able to celebrate how they want to.”

Existing laws already address such issues as drunk driving, public nudity and sexual harassment, Yuthawit said.

“Additional restrictions are making it less enjoyable. But I want to drink and have a good time, so nothing will stop me,” he added.

Although Songkran has not been Thailand’s official new year since 1888, when the country adopted the Western calendar, it remains one of the most important national holidays.

Many Thais try to promote traditional ways of celebrating Songkran. In the government’s eight rules, people are encouraged to wear traditional Thai clothes and participate in activities that promote Thai values.

People are advised to sprinkle water on to Buddha images and monks to receive blessings, to pour water onto elderly family members’ hands to show respect, and to throw water at each other in a friendly way, according to a book published by the cultural promotion department.

“Songkran was very low key when I was younger,” said Yisoon, the 84-year-old. “It was quite religious. We would go to temples and there was very little water splashing going on.”

The festival’s humble beginnings involved family gatherings and water blessings. Water is traditionally used to symbolize purification, washing away the bad and welcoming the good for the coming year.

“Songkran has undergone dramatic change,” said Mike Robinson, a cultural heritage professor at the University of Birmingham in Britain. “The performances and practices that we see today are largely a reinvention from the 1950s … It has evolved into a tourism event for both Thais and foreigners.”

The celebrations have turned into large, riotous street parties.

Convoys of pickup trucks loaded with people and water tanks cruise around town soaking passersby. Armies of people roam city streets to splash and get splashed. The atmosphere is high-energy and cheerful, usually with lots of laughter and smiles.

Commercialized celebrations in major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen attract people from around the world.

Thailand’s tourism industry has seen a surge in foreign tourist arrivals the past few decades, tripling since the late 1990s.

More than 2.6 million people are expected to visit this year during the holiday period, generating more than 446 million US dollars in revenue for the economy, according to the national tourism authority.

“The festival has been adapted to fit the growing number of tourists,” said Robinson. “What were once small practices during the festival have become magnified so the sprinkling of water has been transformed into the throwing of water.”

“I know that Songkran should be spent visiting family and going to temples,” said Theeradet Suphannabut. “But that shouldn’t stop me from having fun and enjoying myself during the holiday.”

“I can balance spending time with my family and throwing water or partying with friends,” he said.

“Songkran has combined old and new ways,” said Robinson.

Bangkok exemplifies that combination with all kinds of celebrations, from traditional riverside events and live cultural performances to hotel pool parties and electronic dance music festivals.

Over time, all festivals evolve and adapt themselves to different social, cultural, economic and political situations. There is no right or wrong, but rather only what is appropriate for the local community, according to Robinson.

“Festivals symbolise and enact change,” he said. “They are about allowing people and societies to change and help them celebrate the change.”

(Reporting by Siraphob Thanthong-Knight)

BANGKOK — The Thai junta has reportedly ordered relatives of those who died in the military crackdown on Redshirt protests in 2010 to cancel a Buddhist ceremony dedicated to the victims.

The merit-making ceremony was scheduled to take place at a temple in Pathum Thani province on Friday, the fifth anniversary of clashes between soldiers and Redshirt protesters that left at least 20 civilians and five soldiers dead. In total, more than 90 people died in the crackdown, which lasted until 19 May 2010.

Redshirts initially planned to organize their annual memorial service at Khok Wua intersection, the site of the clashes, but changed the venue and made the ceremony a strictly religious affair after the junta said the event would violate its ban on political gatherings. Redshirt leaders also said yesterday that the ceremony would only be attended by family members of the victims, and asked other supporters of the Redshirt movement to stay home in compliance with the junta’s orders.

However, a group of military and police officers arrived at the temple where families were preparing for the ceremony today, and asked them to cancel the event entirely, Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan told Khaosod English.  

According to Jatuporn, who was not at the temple, the commanders leading the soldiers and police asked to speak to him on the phone when they arrived. The chief of police in Pathum Thani, Pol.Maj.Gen. Montri Yimyaem, reportedly told him over the phone that the junta had received intelligence reports that Redshirt leaders would attend the ceremony. Jatuporn said he insisted that the ceremony would only be attended by relatives of the victims, but after a short deliberation, the officers told him the event must be canceled altogether.

"I am disappointed to see that those in power do not use their humanity in making decisions," the Redshirt leader told Khaosod English. "I understand that in the current climate we cannot hold anniversary protests like we did in previous years. That’s why we decided to hold only Buddhist ceremonies."

Yesterday, a junta spokesperson expressed concern that the ceremony could be infiltrated by "indiviudals with ill intentions," who could "misuse" the event for political purposes. The junta banned all political gatherings after seizing power from a Redshirt-backed government in May 2014.

Banjerd Fungklinchan, whose son died in the crackdown, said Pol.Maj.Gen. Montri told the group that he was ordered by the junta to cancel the event. The officer added that the families were free to hold personal merit-making ceremonies at their respective homes, Banjerd said.

"I will just hold a ceremony for my son at my own home, for the sake of peace of mind of the officers and of myself," Banjerd said. 

In addition to Pol.Maj.Gen.Montri, the group of security officers and officials were led by Col. Somchai Onsomchit, deputy commander of 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, and Phachai Poriyanond, chief of Klong Luang district. 

The 2010 crackdown was ordered by then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on 10 April in an effort to disperse tens of thousands of Redshirts who were rallying in Bangkok to demand a new election. As dusk set in, clashes between security officers and shadowy "Blackshirt" militants who were allied to the demonstrators broke out on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok. At least 25 people were killed in the violence, including the commander of the military operation and a Japanese journalist. 

The military later mounted another assault on the Redshirts in late May 2010, forcing the movement’s leaders to surrender and call off the protests on 19 May 2010.

Since 2010, Redshirt activists have gathered in Bangkok every 10 April to honor the victims and commemorate the crackdown, which is considered the bloodiest period of political unrest in recent Thai history. 

Several military commanders who played major role in the 2010 crackdown are leaders of the current government, including junta chairman and Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Minister of Defense Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan.