Businesses on Bangkok’s popular Khao San Road are axing their Songkran celebration plans, following news that they would have to abide by a number of restrictions. This would include an alcohol ban, having to supply free face masks to partiers if their masks received wet, 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, even though water splashing in public areas and roads won’t be allowed this year. The Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee determined to permit “water sprinkling” in particular areas that have sought permission, although officials did not go into element about what exactly meaning.
But for many businesses, the president said having to adjust to the strict measures will be too risky. He stated the Songkran holiday will be enterprise as traditional for homeowners. The president added that he expects 30-40% of resort rooms to be occupied, and for extra Thais to visit the world to dine and drink during the festive week.
The Khao San area is popular amongst western backpackers. In Worldwide -Covid days, Songkran celebrations there drew a quantity of thousands of each local and overseas guests. Apart from its Songkran events, Khao San is generally recognized as a famous street in Thailand. In 2019, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority introduced it was investing $1.6 million to remodel Khao San Road into a regulated “international strolling street.”
Khao San was finally renovated in 2020, although because of Covid-19 the renovation was less climactic than anticipated, with a lot fewer foreigners. However, the streets were nonetheless packed with young Thais on weekends.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World | CNN