Subdued Songkran in Bangkok following weekend clashes

Subdued Songkran in Bangkok following weekend clashes
The weekend events that saw at least 21 people die and hundreds injured have dampened Thai new year festivities. Over 800 people were injured during the weekend's clashes between Thai red shirt protesters and security forces. The annual mass exodus of Songkran holidaymakers from Bangkok has begun, leaving behind a city in a far from celebratory mood.

Songkran, the Thai new year holiday, takes place April 13-15. But following the Saturday night clashes between protesting red shirts and Thai troops that left at least 21 people dead and over 800 injured, Bangkok remains in an uncertain, and somewhat unstable state.

All of Bangkok’s official Songkran events have been cancelled, including those set for Khao San Road and Silom -- normally the city's two most popular areas for revelers to engage in the traditional water fights.

The weekend clashes spilled into Khao San Road, Bangkok’s most popular accommodation spot for foreign backpackers. According to a report in The Nation, seven countries (including Japan and Hong Kong) have raised travel warnings relating to Thailand to the highest level. The daily English-language newspaper quotes Surat Wongchanspil, president of the Khao San Business Association, as saying hotel guests have fled the area while shops and restaurants have closed, "so the party was scrapped and this would lead to an estimated Bt500 million in damage as Khao San had anticipated up to 400,000 revellers." Many tourists have checked out and headed to the provinces, he said. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is still holding events in 13 cities and towns nationwide.

Songkran is Thailand's most celebrated annual holiday, with millions taking part in what basically can be described as a three-day water fight. Revelers set up roadside attack zones, spraying water on anyone who drives by, while the backs of pick-up trucks fill with people armed with guns and pails who splash other vehicles and people as they drive up and down the roads. Taking place during Thailand's hottest month, the tradition of water-dousing grew from retrieving the water used to clean the hands of elders and Buddha statues --- hence blessed water -- and splashing it on people for good fortune. It has since evolved into a big water fight that allows the locals to cool off friends and visitors alike.

Bangkok is normally very quiet during Songkran, given many Thais head home to visit their families or leave the city for a holiday. With the recent violence it’s expected the city will be even more subdued. Many Thais, however, will still celebrate on streets throughout the city, outside their homes and businesses, in spite of the official events being cancelled. According to the Bangkok Post, some tourists on Khao San had already started engaging in water fights, just a day after the clashes. On Twitter, many Bangkokians say the water fights have already begun in some areas.

State of emergency still in place
Bangkok remains under a state of emergency but airports are open and protesters haven’t said they’ll occupy it, as their yellow-shirted political opponents did in November 2008.

In many parts of the city it’s business as usual, though protesters remain in the Ratchprasong shopping district in central Bangkok and Phan Fa, in the old city near Khao San Road. Taxis are still readily available, and all but a few major roads are still accessible. The BTS Skytrain has reportedly resumed regular operations following weekend closures of certain stations near the key protest zones, while shopping malls in the main protest area are monitoring the situation and as of Monday have decided to open, with the exception of CentralWorld.
The Thai Tourism Authority's Hotline and Call Centre, #1672, provides 24-hour service for foreign tourists and visitors to Thailand.