Songkran in the Deep South

Despite the latest car bomb attack in Yala townseat early this month and the risks of bombings and shootings by the separatists, many Buddhist residents in the municipal areas of the three southernmost provinces  managed to free themselves from all the worries just to have fun a couple of days in celebrating Songkran festival.

          But unlike the rest of the country where police are rarely seen on the streets to ensure order among the water-splashing revelers who seem to rule the roads and break traffic laws at will, check points were set up throughout the municipalities as security forces trained their eyes to look out for suspicious people, vehicles or other objects. 

          In Pattani’s Muang district, over 1,300 officials from different branches including village headmen police, troops and defence volunteers were mobilized to ensure safety so the people could celebrate the water festival without fear.

          The focus of the celebration was on Khao Yum road (an assumed name just for the event) or, in reality, Makrood road where the provincial administration had set up a 200-metre tent to form a tunnel where revelers had fun splashing water at one another or shooting with water guns.  There was also a mini concert within the tunnel.

          All revelers were given free khao yum, a traditional southern rice dish.

          Mr Panya Thepcharoen, an official of Pattani’s Muang municipality, said that the “tunnel” was introduced during Songkran two years ago, but this year it was special ad the tunnel was extended up to 200 metres long thanks to the provincial administration.

          Mr Pisanu Khamboonkerd, a native of Chiang Rai who has been working in the Deep South since 2004, said that he didn’t feel stressed working in the province despite the danger from militant attacks.

          Serving as a police volunteer, he said he could be seen almost every day help direct traffic at various intersections and in front of the hospital. 

          In Narathiwat, Soi Prachaphirom in the municipal area was sealed off on Songkran day to allow revelers to have fun for three successive days from April 13-15.  But security was stepped up by the order of  governor Natthapong Sirichana with troops, police and volunteers being mobilized to man checkpoints.

          In Yala where a car bomb exploded early this month, the festive atmosphere was somewhat dampened compared to a year ago.  Most revelers flocked to Ruammit road to celebrate instead of the youth centre where the municipality designated as the venue of celebration.

          In Narathiwat’s Rueso district, about 1,000 people attended a ceremony to change the robe of Luang Po Toh image and to celebrate Songkran festival.

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Captions :

1 Songkran festival in Yala

2-3 Mini concert on Khao Yum road in Pattani