BANGKOK – Under new guidleines set by the Ministry of Culture, the traditional water blessing that takes place on Songkran will now be limited to married couples, members of the same family, and one’s self.
“It is improper for unmarried persons, especially young ones, to be getting each other wet for any reason,” explained Teera Slukpetch, the recently appointed head of the Ministry. “Moisture leads to improper thoughts and improperly moist feelings, which may lead to immorally damp activities.”
Some 34,000 police nationwide will patrol the streets of Thailand’s cities and villages, checking for marriage licenses among any persons of the opposite sex who cause water to touch each other. Violators will be fined 2,000 baht.
However, Teera insists that this year’s Songkran celebrations can still be lots of fun. “For example, you can tell a friend that you wish to throw water on him or her, and that friend can then get himself or herself wet,” he explained. “That’s the kind of fun that we can all enjoy safely.”
