What’s Songkran in Pattaya without water? City officials hope it’s not so boring that all the tourists stay away.
After announcing plans to stage its traditional “wan lai” water-throwing day April 19, Pattaya City Hall backtracked March 15 in the face of a central government policy to discourage water-throwing and powder-spreading as a precaution to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19.
While most expats will give a standing ovation to a mid-April without being soaked regularly, Pattaya businesses will jeer, as a dry Songkran offers no reason for domestic tourists to visit.
Of course, the no-water rule applies only to official, organized Songkran events. Unless police enforce it, there’s nothing to stop kids, bargirls and others from engaging in their water fights.
