The Interior Ministry must be pleased that the number of traffic casualties during the holiday season turned out lower than the target.

Inspired to revive traditional Songkran costumes, the Culture Ministry also succeeded in encouraging girls not to wear spaghetti-strap tops. Instead they opted for two-piece swimsuits underneath a thin light-coloured shirt which, once wet, allowed everyone to see through to the sexy swimsuit.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand must also be pleased with domestic tourism spending during the holiday season. The exact figure will be released today, but gauging from the empty streets in Bangkok, nearly everyone travelled out of town, while provincial people also took trips.

But the Culture Ministry might be displeased with the unsuccessful ban of "coyote dancing", where girls dance along to extra-loud music in flesh-exposing outfits. Even little girls, like these two in the photo, were encouraged to join the dance. Worse, they boogied in front of a Buddha image.

The disgruntled must also include the police, who failed to reduce alcohol consumption at water-throwing scenes. In fact, alcohol companies set up booths, so buying booze was as easy as going to a convenience store.

No wonder drunk-driving is listed as the prime cause of casualties during the holiday season. Does it surprise you that the number of casualties was still lower than last year?

I guess the Grim Reaper also took a summer break, too.

achara_d@nationgroup.com