Our rich culture is highlighted during the festival. The Culture Ministry has a campaign on how to celebrate the Songkran festival in a charming Thai way. Since the festival is now being celebrated in the wrong way, the government has begun campaigning for it to be celebrated in traditional Thai style, which means no water wars, putting powder on people's faces or spaghetti-strap tops for the ladies.

Water pouring is not the only key activity for this summer festival. Making merit and paying respect to the elderly as well as family reunions are also vitally important. Temples are the traditional centres for Songkran activities. We pour perfumed water or "namob Thai" over Buddha images and also pour water over the hands of the elderly - not only our parents, but also seniors in our communities. By showing this respect, Thai people believe they will be bringing about good fortune in their lives.

More fun also takes place in temples. While the elderly and monks take the opportunity to share their views on society and life with each other, youngsters enjoy creating sand pagodas and taking part in folk plays with the help of community experts. The making of a sand pagoda reflects the artistic talents and the unity of community members. After the festival, the sand from these pagodas is used for the construction of a temple. This is one way of making merit while having fun at the same time.

To rebuild the "family" institution and Buddhism, the Culture Ministry is trying hard to bring back the Thai way of life from the "good old days" in an era in which globalisation and capitalism widen the gap between successive generations.

In rural areas we might still see that charming Thai way of life, but in metropolitan areas such as Bangkok it is pretty hard to find as we are influenced by Western culture - and, for sure, culture is always changing.

Many Thais, especially the younger generation, break the rules. The Kingdom's backpacker paradise, Khao San Road, yesterday was turned into a "water war zone". Revellers were using white powder while they fired off water guns and got drunk. Girls were still clad in ultra-sexy outfits. Scenes such as this also took place in other tourist centres like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya. However, the government's campaign did help to reduce the amount of powder being used, and people were splashing one another more gently than in previous years. But the most lovely scene was that of many more Thais, and some tourists, clad in traditional Thai costume.

Refocusing on traditional Thai costumes during the Songkran festival is a key part of the Culture Ministry's campaign. Along with government officials, the ministry also asked media representatives, especially television reporters, hosts and masters of ceremonies to dress in beautiful traditional Thai silk costumes. For a week before the festival, you could see television hosts from all channels in yellow traditional Thai dress. When dressed in such a costume a person is expected to act politely, especially a lady, but many TV hosts of variety and news shows displayed an improper knowledge of manners - they talked noisily, while some ran around while working outside the studio. TV hosts are people considered by many to be role models for today's generation. I do not blame these hosts, but we cannot deny that they are like the second parents of today's teens who are raised in front of a television and computer instead of a warm family. Indeed, parents should take responsibility for their own children. Dressing up in a particular style does not equate to proper behaviour, as good manners come from habit. Campaigning only during the festival in not sufficient for preserving our rich culture, as culture is passed from generation to generation.

Like wearing yellow to pay respect to His Majesty the King, many Thais just think of the outfit without acting from their heart and understanding. After the Songkran festival, we will not be concerned with wearing beautiful traditional Thai outfits. Next year, the same campaign will be promoted. However, this needs to be promoted continuously in a smart and practical way.

The decision to wear or not to wear a traditional Thai costume does not determine whether we will be able to preserve our heritage if we think of it only as a "surface" issue.

 Phatarawadee Phataranawik