Plastic pouches for
keeping valuables dry during Songkran hang for sale among the water guns
and other paraphernalia.
Warunya Thongrod
Street vendors have found a new source of revenue for Songkran
besides ice and powder: telephone covers.
In Naklua, water fights continued as normal, but many Thais and tourists
this year could be seen wearing plastic pouches around their necks
containing telephones and other valuables vulnerable to water damage.
The waterproof pouches are easier to manage than the larger dry bags
that became popular during the Thai New Year five years ago.
Pouches and bags have evolved, with vendors now hawking items with print
and “Happy Songkran” and “Songkran Festival Pattaya” emblazoned across
them. Not only are they useful, but they serve as a good souvenir of a
fun (or frustrating) holiday Most pouches sell for less than 30 baht.
