Songkran Festivals Across Thailand Are Being Cancelled This Year Due To Coronavirus Fears

If you’re a frequent traveler, then the Songkran festival that is held every year across Thailand should be something that you are well-acquainted with. With its popularity among tourists, given its fun, almost party-centric vibe, the festival which is usually held around mid-April is one of Thailand’s biggest tourist draws.

However, it has been reported by The Star and The Phuket News that this year’s Songkran festival might just be the quietest one in history, as major events that were scheduled for it will be cancelled due to fears of possible Covid-19 coronavirus outbreaks.

Saensuk municipality mayor Narongchai Khunpluem said that the annual Lai Bang Saen and sandcastle building festival, scheduled for April 16th and 17th after the Songkran holidays in the Chonburi Province, will be cancelled. This is on top of the cancellations of all Songkran events in Patong, Phuket, according to Patong Mayor Chalermluck.

“I am also urging people not to splash water on one another,” said mayor Narongchai, adding that lorries carrying water for Songkrang will be banned entirely in Saensuk.

Songkran celebrations in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen are also being cancelled, according to Khon Kaen municipal mayor Thirasak Teekhayuphan. However, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yutthasak Supasorn has yet to come to a decision as to whether Songkran celebrations will be cancelled officially by the government.

So if you were planning to squeeze in some leisure time during the Songkran Festival, you might just be out of luck this year! 

Also read: Official: Thailand Confirms First Human-To-Human Coronavirus Transmission, Taxi Driver was Infected