There is no wilder weekend holiday in Thailand than Songkran, and that goes for neighbouring countries as well. In Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, most business comes to a halt, as citizens and visitors mark the traditional New Year. Much fun is had, even if revellers sometimes err on the wrong side of decorum.
As for Thailand, the year's most raucous celebration has some unpleasant side-effects, especially on the highways. For many, carelessness, especially drink-driving, turns the holiday to horror. There is national concern over the accidents and fatalities that result.
For more than two decades, successive governments and civil society have fought a losing battle to call for more discipline from motorists. But the situation has only grown worse. Last year, after a strong and high-profile government campaign, the road death toll over the "seven deadly days" of Songkran rose to 442, up from 364 in 2015.
During that past few years, and especially since the military coup in May 2014, campaigns for a safer Songkran have taken a curious turn. There now are "designated water zones", where splashing is allowed. Predictably, these have become orgies of water guns, ice water and white powder, while "normal" water-throwing continues anyhow. Alcohol-prohibition groups have launched their own campaigns, this year calling for a total ban on alcohol sales during the long weekend, which officially lasts five days. A group called the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation has even petitioned for the strict enforcement of laws against sexual harassment.
The government this year even risks being seen as a "party-pooper". Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, as overall minister of security, has taken the lead here. Last week, he tried to put a ban on late night Songkran parties -- hardly a tradition but popular in some areas. Then Gen Prawit said there must be no partying at all after midnight, an edict that is both massively unpopular and impossible to enforce.
Last week, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced he was applying the all-powerful Section 44 of the interim charter to force compliance with two regulations. The first concerned seat belts. Everyone has to buckle up, or pay up. Back-seat passengers are included. And police immediately began enforcing the rule. Of course, seat-belt fastening has been mandatory since the Land Transport Act of 1979, but the Section 44 decree tightened the details.
Then the prime minister made the mistake of declaring a poorly thought-out new law concerning pickup trucks. The problem was that no passengers were allowed in the back (tray) of pickups. Passengers were also banned from the area behind the driver. This was a concern because the regulations, despite being well-intended, were announced in a rush, making it difficult to implement them due to all the confusion. On this, the government was forced to retreat.
Late last week, a wag released a fake news story on social media claiming the regime had ordered a list of "nine restrictions" for Songkran. They mentioned bans on tight clothing, high-pressure water guns, and more. Incredibly, while it drew no backing from official or mainstream media, the list went viral. The regime's top spokesman, Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, was forced to deny it as groundless.
Lt Gen Sansern not only failed to see the humour in this; he saw a conspiracy. He said "groups with ill intentions" had spread the story to try and discredit him and the regime. This gives more credit to a mere rumour than is deserved. The real issue is, or should be, highway safety and ways to improve this. The government must devise means and methods to bring down the holiday death toll, both on our highways and elsewhere.