Bangkok governor led people to give alms on Songkran day

BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) -- Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang led officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and general public to give alms to 191 Buddhist monks in front of the City Hall on April 13, the Songkran day. Ten senior monks were among the Buddhist monks receiving alms in the morning of the Thai New Year Day. The highly revered Phra Buddha Sihing image was brought from the Bangkok National Museum to the City Hall for people to pay respect and bathe traditionally until April 15. The BMA also organised a traditional temple fair in front of the City Hall. In the fair, visitors can traditionally build sand pagodas, bathe the Buddha images of their birth date, and see Thai cultural performances. The BMA also encouraged people to save water during the Songkran water festival, dress well and refrain from using talcum powder and drinking alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, about 100 City Hall police were deployed to secure Silom Road for Songkran revelers. They were ordered to search visitors carefully, ban high-pressure water guns, talcum powder, alcoholic drinks and provocative dresses, and promote water-saving activities. Silom Road would be closed for traffic between noon and 8pm from April 13 to 15 for Songkran revelers and the road would reopen to motorists at 9pm after cleaning. Wallop Suwandee, chief adviser to the Bangkok governor, said that operators on Silom Road agreed to suspend special Songkran activities this year to join the mourning for the passing of King Bhumibol. (TNA)