The Eleven Strict Rules for Songkran 2013

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Social media today has been talking a lot about these so-called eleven things that you are forbidden to do during Songkran this year. They say it should be “Songkran” and not “Songkram” which is Thai for “war”. I think most people would agree with many of these rules if not all.

1. Don’t carry barrels of water on pick up trucks
2. Don’t stand or sit in the back of a pick up truck with the intention to play water fights
3. Don’t sell alcohol in designated water fight areas
4. Don’t drink alcohol in a vehicle even if you are just the passenger
5. Don’t use high pressure water guns
6. Don’t put ice in the water
7. Don’t sexually harass women
8. Don’t play music loudly
9. Don’t buy or sell things on the side of the road
10. Don’t use talcum powder
11. Don’t drink and drive

What do you think? Is the government spoiling the fun or is it a necessary evil?

13 thoughts on “The Eleven Strict Rules for Songkran 2013

  • April 16, 2013 at 1:17 pm
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    I think you misunderstand. These rules were set by Thai government agencies. Nothing to do with foreigners. The only ones I personally agree with are the ones that help reduce fatalities on the road like drunk driving.Which ones do you disagree with?

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  • April 16, 2013 at 1:13 pm
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    All I know is that I moved here to get away from westerners who try to control every aspect of existence that they find fault with. I hope you have many great Songkrans and that, if you object, you don’t take part in it.

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  • April 12, 2013 at 4:18 pm
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    I don’t understand why this is happening this year, I’ve been staying in thailand for 14 years but this is the first time this is happening. I can’t believe about what the parliament are doing. playing with water and listening to loud songs on truck is just the fun in songkran and putting ice into cold water is just letting us cool down because it is hot here in thailand.

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  • April 6, 2013 at 3:13 pm
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    Ah okay, thanks Richard and Gordon – I guess the difference is in whether the water is ice cold or actually has ice cubes in it, though I take the point about heart conditions too. It’s difficult – I guess you’re never going to be able to regulate for every possible scenario.

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  • April 5, 2013 at 10:56 pm
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    I’ve been soaked in ice cold water before (literally from a huge block of melting ice) and it can take your breath away. What if the recipient had say a heart condition for example? It’s also not fun if you are cycling and get ice cold water on you.

    I generally avoid the drunken adults now but if I see young kids wanting to play songkran with a farang, I will let them play with good humor. The childen tend to love it, and the parents seem appreciative as well.

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  • April 5, 2013 at 9:21 pm
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    I might be missing the point but don’t see the problem with iced water (provided you’re not actually throwing ice at people, that is!) or using talcum powder. Sounds like it’s okay to sexually harass men – why is it not don’t harass others at all? – and what is with don’t buy and sell things at the side of the road? Have people forgotten that this is how much of Thailand’s retail operates and the contribution that it makes to the country’s economy, at Songkhran and the rest of the year?

    I don’t really get the basic principle of this either – the police may be ‘backtracking’, but from what? Unless parliament has passed a law banning the use of talcum powder then on what basis are they going to arrest violators?

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    • April 5, 2013 at 9:23 pm
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      As far as ice is concerned, I got a chipped windscreen after a bucket of iced water was thrown at my car. Imagine what that would have been like for a motorcyclist. As far as selling by the side of the road, they often block one of the lanes contributing to traffic jams.

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  • April 5, 2013 at 1:45 pm
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    Media reports today suggest that the police are backtracking on this saying that people “can play as normal”. But they add, just don’t go over the top.

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  • April 4, 2013 at 6:28 pm
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    And who actually thinks that any of these ‘Precepts of Songkran’ will be followed? Especially in places like Pattaya?

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  • April 4, 2013 at 6:15 pm
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    I agree with these

    4. Don’t drink alcohol in a vehicle
    5. Don’t use high pressure water guns
    6. Don’t put ice in the water
    7. Don’t sexually harass women
    10. Don’t use talcum powder
    11. Don’t drink and drive

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  • April 4, 2013 at 6:07 pm
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    12. Don’t pump klong water onto passing cyclists (happened last year on Greg’s trip to Ayuthaya)

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  • April 4, 2013 at 5:28 pm
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    1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 – are all the symbols of Songkran…for better or worse.

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  • April 4, 2013 at 5:18 pm
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    Hmmmm, I think I’ll stick to stockpiling DVD’s, food, and stay entrenched at home then… 🙁

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