Songkran holiday eerily quiet after Covid mutes celebrations

Thailand rang in another Lunar New Year, or Songkran, without its normal festivities, highlighting the impact that the Covid pandemic has had on the world. For the 2^nd year, the biggest Thai holiday was subdued without water-splashing, parties, and concerts. Instead, the predominantly Buddhist nation turned to its more muted, traditional activities of making merit to observe the 3 day holiday, that started yesterday.

Morning time activities included followers offering alms and a bit of sprinkled water to show respect for Buddhist monks. But the monks wore plastic face shields, following pandemic precautions. Culture Minister, Ittipol Khunpleum, led officials and celebrants in what was called a “New Normal, Preserving Thai Culture” event at Wat Arun Ratchawararam.

The temple was open while others were partially closed because of the pandemic. Other normally bustling areas of Bangkok were also silent, as Songkran was cancelled due to what’s being described as a 3^rd wave of Covid hitting the country in some media.

Dr. Opas Kankawinpong, the Disease Control Department director-general, recently warned that Covid-19 infections could shoot up 10-fold starting in May unless the government implements urgent measures to control new infections.

“If we don’t do it right, in the next one month the spread will spin out of control – 9,000 new infections a day.”

Throughout Thailand, the government began shuttering night spots on April 6 in at least 41 of 77 provinces for at least 2 weeks, after a new wave of Covid swept the nation earlier this month. Just yesterday, Thailand reported 965 new infections. The number was the lowest in 13 days, but warnings of an even higher spike continue as the WHO says the pandemic has reached a critical level in South Asia.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wished the people of Thailand “good health and happiness on the occasion of Songkran.”

“The United States of America is proud to recognise Thailand as one of our strongest and most enduring allies. We look forward to deepening our friendship with the Kingdom of Thailand even further.”

SOURCE: Benar News