The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has cancelled all of its Songkran activities in the wake of intensifying redshirt rallies and the state of emergency.
"All festivities including religious rituals will not be held this year," Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra announced yesterday.
The BMA initially planned to organise the procession of a sacred Buddha statue, hold a Miss Songkran beauty contest, prepare festivities at Santi Chai Prakarn Park and conduct many more events.
All these activities will no longer take place despite the fact that the Songkran festival is one of the biggest events in Thailand.
However, operators on touristcrowded Khao San Road have vowed to keep the festive mood alive there.
"The Maha Songkran celebration at Khao San will run from April 12 to April 15 as scheduled," Khao San Operators Association president Surat Wongchansilp said yesterday.
He said the number of security guards around Khao San Road during the festival would be 200 a day.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand insisted that it would continue to promote "Celebrate Songkran with Pilgrimages to Nine Royal Monasteries in the Capital".
