#Songkran2021 Is Dry But Not Too Dry To Celebrate Anyway!
Author: Liberal HomoDeus
Posted on: 1st April 2021
Keywords: #NewYear, #WaterSplashing, #festival, #tourism, #economy, #pandemic, #holiday, #Summer
Length: 1282 words
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For the uninitiated, #Songkran is the Thai #NewYear which takes place during April 13-15 every year. However, the celebration of #Songkran2019 was canceled for the king’s coronation and of 2020 due to the pandemic and the #Songkran2020 official holidays were postponed to September which #WaterSplashing was prohibited, which was literally a #Songkran, without #Songkran. Every sector in the society supports the return of #Songkran, the traditional Thai #NewYear’s festival. Sure, with limitations, signaling that the infamously wild, wet street party of #Songkran will return after being called off two years in a row.
As we see people around the world begin to return to celebrate in groups, we may feel encouraged by humans’ inherent social resilience. In the country itself, there is an optimistic sign showing infection numbers in the three digits, we are now seeing two digits; it means that Thailand is ready to return to pack the streets to spray water and touch each other’s faces. So #Songkran2021 festivities has the go-ahead from the government.
It is a hope that throwing the cities most popular event will boost the local economy and domestic tourism. The comeback of tourists to some big cities like Pattaya, Phuket, Phang-nga, etc., after these always-busy tourist destinations, shut off from their supply of backpackers and foreign travelers, turned into a ghost town for the past year, will make their communities back to be a tourist destination and gold mine for domestic business. #Songkran2021 would definitely boost the tourism-bereft economy. But, wait!, at the last minute official announcement, the #Songkran2021 may not what we imagine!
After health officials have voiced their worry of a potential third #COVID-19 wave, consequently, the number of people at #Songkran2021 events and parties are ordered to be limited to prevent the new clusters of #CoronaVirus infection. Event organizers are also asked to ensure #SocialDistancing. Chairs will be arranged for participants. The government officer said they will find a balance between helping the economy and the prevention of new clusters of #COVID-19. #WaterSplashing is also banned, meaning no watery fights that are the core celebration for many for a third year. Revelers can still be blasted with some fluids such as #HolyWater and sanitizing agents, to be exact. The use of ‘Din Sor Pong’, the white powder usually mixed with water and smeared on strangers’ faces is also not allowed.
Generally, Thai people know well that the cities officers cannot completely stop people from splashing each other, but they are just trying to avoid a hectic clean-up. The streets will still be open as usual and people can still engage in minor water play such as splash bucket-style, not SuperSoaker Armageddon.
It is possible that people travel around on trucks and splashing water on roads. But with temperatures predicted to hit 40 degrees Celsius this summer particularly in April, apart from #SocialDistancing measure to be observed during having fun time at #Songkran festival, revelers should prevent themselves to not get overheated and suffer heatstroke. These conditions are usually caused by the body’s prolonged exposure or physical exertion under the hot sun. Symptoms include confusion, altered speech, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing and palpitations.
Health experts recommend people going out and joining this most familiar and fun feature of wet festival to wear loose clothes, water-proof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply every two hours, and drink plenty of fluids.
Overall, #Songkran2021 will focus more on the cultural aspects such as merit-making, sprinkling water on Buddha statues or ‘Song Nam Phra’, along with sand pagoda-building on the temple’s grounds, a traditional Thai #NewYear’s merit-making ritual.
With the #NewNormal limitation of the celebration, it sprung innovation. The usual bodies undulating to the beat in wet, clinging clothing will be in for a more wholesome surprise this year, as communities come up with their own idea to make #Songkran2021 to be less dry as possible. They build a ‘#HolyWater Tunnel’ to greet the participants, visitors, and tourists to give the spirit-soaking highlight of an otherwise dry #Songkran to take place.
They allow people to bathe in the tunnel of water consecrated by local monks. But it is the water that is not for drinking. However, all super soakers or buckets will be confiscated at the entrances of the event, and no refill locations will be available to those who sneak one in.
It is as well an advice when giving traditional greetings, such activity requires people to wear #facemasks and observe #SocialDistancing. It is necessary to have a public consciousness as well as take care of oneself.
If wearing #facemask and practicing #SocialDistancing are extra bothers, there is an alternative to join the #Songkran2021 festival without having to leave home; in the era when things go virtually, the celebration of #Songkran2021 is also taking this trend, for example TAT will broadcast live the Thai #NewYear event called ‘Spring into #Songkran Splendors’ taking place in Chiang Mai, which features several segments that highlight Thailand’s traditional culture, festivals and food. People can choose to take this option if they do not want to go out mingling with the crowd and risk being infected. Celebrating #Songkran2021 virtually will allow them to gather and enjoy the meaning of the holiday in a new way that feels exciting at this time.
More importantly, elderly people are deserved to be paid attention not only by family members but also the government. They are the large part of the present society as the civil record says that Thailand is officially a fully-fledged ageing society this year as 13.1 million people, or 20% of the population, will have passed the retirement age of 60.
At the individual level, the elders themselves, once reaching this milestone, it is necessary to ponder ways to implement proactive measures to ensure that their transition into this phase of life is smooth.
The pro-ageing concept is being satisfied with one’s own ageing cycle; it can in fact make the elders adopt healthier behaviors, feel in control of how they age, and even heighten their immune system. Meanwhile, health researches reveal, anti-ageing, or perceiving ageing negatively, can do the opposite.
Moreover, as long as one develops a healthy outlook towards looking after oneself both physically and mentally, longevity and good health are attainable as one advances in years without the need of outside factors.
To achieve a healthy mental health is important in this phase of life and nothing can be better than meditation; start by sitting for meditation for ten minutes. Use a timer. Lengthen the time gradually as being possible. Sit a little every day and be consistent. Do not make meditation a burden but a leisure activity.
Ultimately, #Songkran2021 may not be too dry to celebrate but with the last week’s uptick of infected cases in Bangkok, it might keep some Bangkokians home and it is likely that many people will not come out because they are still in fear with a new cluster emerging and warnings made by health officials. Wish everyone have a safe and fun #Songkran.
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Related article(s):
Songkran: A Fun Time And Others More to Go Through
Author: Witcoin Miner
Keywords: #fun, #festival, #Songkran, #family, #relationship, #Newyear, #watersplash, #temple, #Buddhist, #culture, #breakup, #IT, #COVID-19
Length: 1423 words Posted on: 1st April 2020
https://aloosechitchatblogg.blogspot.com/2020/04/songkran-fun-time-and-others-more-to-go.html
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