THE BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration says it is preparing an eventful Songkran this year
The BMA is organising an alms offering with 190 monks at its main Songkran venue in Sanam Luang on April 13.
On the same day, an evening mass prayer for Their Majesties the King and Queen will be held, followed by the distribution of 400,000 tubes of holy water to mark the 234th anniversary of Rattanakosin.
The Phra Buddha Sihing image will temporarily be relocated to Sanam Luang for people to worship during the BMA's Songkran celebration from April 12-14.
A procession to move the image from the Putthaisawan Throne Hall in the Phra Nakorn National Museum through Wongwiang Yai, Santi Chai Prakan Park and Wat Chana Songkram en route to Sanam Luang will be held on Tuesday April 12.
Deputy city clerk Atthaporn Suwatthanadecha said given Songkran would be held while a severe drought grips the country, people should celebrate the festival by making merit at temples in accordance with Thai tradition instead engaging in the usual water fights.
BMA governor adviser Wanlop Suwandee said the Bangkok Songkran Festival at Silom 2016, to be held from midday to 9pm on April 13-14. Alcohol would be banned and the event overseen by police and army personnel.
Silom Road will be closed from 10am to 10pm on those two days.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Amorn Kijchawengkul warned people to practice caution on the roads, citing last year's Songkran road toll in the capital that saw 23,004 accidents and 193 deaths and 6,988 injuries. On Tuesday, the BMA will organise a campaign under the theme "No speeding, no cutting in front of other car suddenly, and no running red lights" for Songkran at Phya Thai traffic island at Victory Monument before taking it to schools in six districts.
In related news, deputy national police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen yesterday presided over the launch of the "Keep houses with the police" campaign for Songkran at Chokchai Police Station.
People can now register to have their homes monitored by police free-of-charge while they are away during Songkran.
Police said the campaign would result in officers checking registered houses nationwide from April 12-18 and keep homeowners updated on the situation via Line.
A total of 4,634 homes were placed under police guardianship last Songkran including 1,497 in Bangkok. The Chokchai precinct had the most homes at 61, followed by Phra Khanong (57) and Tha Kham (47).