Local reaction has been swift to the news that Singapore intends to hold its own Songkran festival at the same time as Thailand's traditional festival, complete with water throwing, Thai boxing and music.
We'll sue the organisers, threatened a senior Culture Ministry official, saying the Singapore facsimile will undermine the value of the Thai New Year celebration.
Culture Surveillance Bureau director Yupa Taweewattanakijbaworn said Singapore is using the festival to promote tourism, without acknowledging the value of the traditions behind Songkran, she said.
"This is wrong because the value of the traditional celebration is being distorted," she said.
Songkran is not just about splashing water for fun, but is aimed at strengthening relationships between family members and communities, Ms Yupa said.