Songkran celebrations this year to focus on water using

BANGKOK, March 30 (TNA) -- The Office of the National Culture Commission agreed to the holding of a Songkran Festival 2017 between April 13-17, which would stress on the idea of how to use water wisely as the celebrations would be organised in three locations in Bangkok, including at Siam Square, Thailand Cultural Centre, and Siam Paragon. Deputy Premier Gen Tanasak Patimapragon said after chairing the meeting of the National Culture Commission on Wednesday that the board has agreed to the holding of a Songkran Festival 2017 under the theme, "Thai-Style Songkran, Use Water Wisely, Keep All Lives Safe", between April 13-17. Celebrations, said the deputy premier, would be held in three locations, namely Siam Square between April 13-15, at Siam Paragon from April 13-16, between 11 am to 9 pm, and at the small conference room of the Thai Cultural Centre on April 11 at 1 pm. Three main measures are set to also be promoted during the festival this year, these include dressing appropriately with Thai textile to honour the late beloved monarch, use water economically, while refraining from using high pressure water gun, hoses, and powder, and lastly, strictly adhere to traffic rules and drive safely. As for the holding of musical event and Miss Songkran pageant, the deputy prime minister said they are allowed, though organisers must consider the appropriateness of such events. Furthermore, the Culture Ministry has reported that the Cabinet has approved on March 28 the documents created to nominate Khon dance and Thai massage as intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO. (TNA)