A Message From Kru Ekachai - April

Let's celebrate a safe Songkran!

The Songkran holidays started today and will continue until April 16. The cabinet approved an additional holiday April 12, but this festival will officially start on April 13.Train stations and bus terminals in Bangkok, as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport, are undoubtedly crowded with passengers beginning to flow out of the capital to celebrate Songkran long holidays. It's just once a year for some people to make way to their hometowns to spend time with families and relatives.

Songkran is Thailand's most famous festival. Thai people prepare themselves for the beginning of the new year with lots of house cleaning. They then splash their elders with a little rose scented water and make merit at neighbouring temples. On top of that, splashing water in the vicinity will be the highlight of this festival. The water symbolizes washing away of the previous year's bad luck and sins.

This should be a happy occasion for the whole country , but some people abuse the spirit of Songkran year after year. They see the celebration as an excuse for the drunkenness, reckless motorbike racing, drug-taking and using powerful water guns or throwing buckets of water at innocent passers-by. These troublemakers act without thinking and cause accidents in which people die or are injured. Speeding and drunk driving are the main causes of accidents every year. Let's stop the dark side of Songkran to lessen the number of road accidents during Songkran's Seven Day of Danger (between April 11 and 17).

Last but not least, ASEAN CORNER wishes you the safe and happy time to visit your family, relatives and friends and ring in the traditional Thai New Year with peace, health and prosperity.

Happy Songkran Festival 2013!