No water battles this Songkran, declares CCSA

The regulations include:

• Those travelling upcountry to visit relatives or on holiday must be fully vaccinated.
• They must undergo an ATK test within 72 hours before travelling, meeting or participating in a gathering.
• The elderly and those at risk should receive a booster as per guidelines set up by the Public Health Ministry.

Communicable disease committees in Bangkok and provinces have been tasked with setting up venues where Songkran activities can be held. The venue should be set up in line with measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and activities must be held in line with the ministry’s Covid Free Setting regulations, namely:

• Allow only traditional activities such as pouring water on Buddha statues, pouring water on the hands of the elderly, cultural performances, traditional rituals, parades and concerts.
• No powder-smearing or foam parties allowed.
• No drinking or selling of alcohol at the venue.
• Visitors must be screened and registered at the entrance.
• Control the number of participants to ensure there is no overcrowding and that people can maintain a distance of four metres from each other.

All Songkran activities in villages or communities will need to be overseen by local authorities to ensure there are no Covid-19 infections. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to follow the regulations.

Meanwhile, civil servants have been urged to work from home during the Songkran period.

Here is a list of what Songkran celebrants can and cannot do:

Can

• Pour water on Buddha statues
• Pour water on the hands of the elderly
• Conduct traditional rituals
• Hold cultural performances
• Hold parades
• Hold concerts

Cannot

• Hold water battles
• Smear powder on each other
• Hold foam parties
• Unauthorised risky activities*
• Drink or sell alcoholic beverages in celebration venues*

*As per Section 9 of the Emergency Decree