National—
On April 11th, 2024, Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, called for the cooperation of all citizens to play water during the Songkran celebration safely and appropriately.
UNESCO registered the Songkran festival from Thailand as humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. The Thai government had then prepared for the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 as a major celebration.
According to the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, Songkran is a fun festival frequently celebrated with alcoholic beverages. However, it could lead to violence and crimes, including sexual harassment.
A survey of citizens regarding the Songkran Festival 2024 showed that 57.79% of the majority had clay powder applied to their faces, 32.43% experienced molestation, and 76.77% of the age group under 18 years had clay powder applied to their faces.
The most encountered sexual harassment behaviors included being touched without permission on hands, arms, and physical contact at 61.45%. More than 92.10% of the survey takers recognized that sexual harassment was an offense under Thai criminal law.
Concerns during Songkran 2024 included 85.06% worried about road accidents, 40.22% concerned about intoxicated people causing quarrels, and 34.13% concerned about sexual harassment.
The Thai government emphasized the importance of respecting and valuing one’s body; no one should violate another’s rights over their body. The Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson emphasized that no violence, molestation, or sexual harassment of any form should be committed during the Songkran Festival.
TPN Media notes that an unscientific poll posed on our own social media pages showed almost the exact opposite response to these groups polls, with the vast majority of our readers, 83 percent, saying they preferred to drink alcohol during celebrations and festivals like Songkran.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
