Businesses on Bangkok’s well-liked Khao San Road are axing their Songkran celebration plans, following information that they must abide by several restrictions. Backed would come with an alcohol ban, having to offer free face masks to partiers if their masks got moist, and being held accountable if partiers took off their masks.
The president of the Khao San Road Business Operators Association told Thai PBS that some smaller business owners insist on holding celebrations, although water splashing in public areas and roads won’t be allowed this 12 months. The Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee determined to allow “water sprinkling” in particular areas that have sought permission, though officials didn’t go into detail about what exactly that means.
But for many companies, the president stated having to adjust to the strict measures will be too risky. He said the Songkran vacation shall be enterprise as traditional for house owners. The president added that he expects 30-40% of resort rooms to be occupied, and for more Thais to go to the realm to dine and drink in the course of the festive week.
The Khao San area is popular among western backpackers. In pre-Covid days, Songkran celebrations there drew a number of 1000’s of each local and foreign visitors. Apart from its Songkran parties, Khao San is generally called a well-known avenue in Thailand. In 2019, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority announced it was investing $1.6 million to rework Khao San Road into a regulated “international strolling street.”
Khao San was ultimately renovated in 2020, though because of Covid-19 the renovation was much less climactic than anticipated, with a lot fewer foreigners. However, the streets had been still full of younger Thais on weekends.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World | CNNg