The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will organise a major event to celebrate this year's Songkran festival after a three-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Tuesday.
While Lan Khon Muang in front of City Hall in Phra Nakhon district has been designated as the main venue for the capital's water-splashing celebrations, all 50 district offices across Bangkok will also organise their own events to celebrate Songkran, or the Thai New Year, Mr Chadchart said.
To mark the start of the celebrations, Phra Phuttha Sihing, a highly revered Buddha image, will be paraded on April 12 from Phutthai Sawan Throne Hall at the Bangkok National Museum to City Hall, where it will be displayed for worship until April 14.
Other traditional rituals, including almsgiving and rot nam dam hua ceremonies -- in which water is poured over the hands of elderly relatives to seek their blessing for the year ahead -- will also be organised at Lan Khon Muang, said Mr Chadchart.
Songkran celebrations will also be organised near Klong Phadung Krung Kasem, said the governor.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau will be responsible for maintaining peace and order during the festival, during which the sale of alcoholic drinks, powder for smearing, high-pressure water guns and inappropriate dress will be restricted, he added.
In related news, the cabinet on Tuesday agreed to promote authentic Thai customs that are associated with Songkran.
