Temperatures During Songkran to Hit 43 Degrees Celsius

The Meteorological Department has warned that temperatures in Thailand could reach 43 degrees Celsius in some regions during Songkran 2023 Festival.

The Department of Health warns of food poisoning and diarrhea caused by eating stale food during the summer because food-borne bacteria develop quicker in warm temperatures. Summer temperatures in Thailand can reach 35-45 degrees Celsius in some regions, according to the department’s director-general.

Food spoils quicker in the summer because microbes (bacteria and viruses) grow faster. Food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid, and cholera can all be caused by contaminated or old food. According to him, 410,699 diarrhea cases were recorded from January to September of last year, with two deaths.

He advised consumers to purchase food from reputable sources or that has been certified by state agencies. Meat and fresh seafood necessitate cool keeping below 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

People should avoid purchasing ready-to-eat food packaged in plastic containers that show indications of food spoilage, such as rising air bubbles. People are also advised to consume hot, clean food and to avoid raw meat dishes.

Thailand’s New Year, Songkran 2023: The Good and the Bad

Songkran is derived from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, which translates approximately as “astrological transition.” The term “Farmer’s Market” refers to the sale of farm products in the United States.

It’s a time for spiritual purification, merit-making, and staying cool in the midst of scorching heat. It’s also a chance for families to gather and enjoy freshly prepared meals.

Thais deep-clean their homes and public places, including workplaces and schools, in preparation for the holiday. Parks and sidewalks are also beautified. People get up early to worship at temples and present monks with food, robes, and donations.

As an expression of gratitude and devotion, youthful family members pour rose and jasmine water over the hands and feet of elders at home.

Songkran is also a moment to remember and honour ancestors.

The theme of splashing water to symbolize the washing away of sins and bad luck runs throughout the celebration. The concluding day is known as Wan Payawan, or Buddha Bathing Day.

As a sign of respect, temple goers carefully trickle water down the backs of monks, after which the chief monk blesses those assembled. People also pour water on statues and figurines to wash away the misfortune of the previous year.

Small bowls of water were traditionally tipped over family and friends to symbolize the cleansing process. This has developed into the more exhilarating “throwing of water” that Thailand is renowned for, and the good news is that water splashing will return in 2023, after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Preparation is essential for anyone intending to participate. Participants should keep valuables in a waterproof zip lock container to keep them dry during the “hostilities” in addition to purchasing a water gun and Din Sor Pong, a form of talcum powder. The difference between the two is that the former has a different name than the latter.

Stock up on sunscreen, have a bottle of drinking water available and invest in a pair of cheap swimming goggles. donning a swimsuit makes sense, as does donning good-grip shoes. The roadways become extremely slick.

You’re now prepared to drench as many individuals as possible and smear them with talc. You’ll undoubtedly win a few battles, but you’ll be outgunned by firemen wielding powerful hoses and elephants spraying water from their trunks.

Don’t presume that just because you don’t have a gun means you won’t be soaked. The majority of parties will enjoy it even more. Only monks, babies, and the elderly are exempt from being doused – if you unintentionally saturate someone you shouldn’t, apologize profusely and move on.

The water war is a national event, but the atmosphere is particularly lively in Bangkok, the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest water-gun fight was broken in 2011 with 3,477 people fired water at each other for 10 minutes.

In Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, the moat surrounding the old town offers an endless source of ammunition for water guns during Songkran, while, DJ’s and bands play in the background.

Songkran is also a time for friends to get together for a social beer or two, assuming they can locate a venue away from the chaos. “They can squirt whoever they want – as long as they don’t get water in my beer,” one expat forum member put it.

Excessive alcohol consumption, rather than the occasional watered-down beer, has long been the most difficult task for police during the holiday season. Despite numerous safety efforts, traffic accidents skyrocket during the annual “seven dangerous days.”

Last year, between April 11 and 16, 278 persons were killed and 1,869 were injured in traffic accidents. Drink Driving led to more than 60% of the reported fatalities, with motorcycles and pickup trucks being involved in the overwhelming majority of incidents.

The original meaning of Songkran has been lost for many Thais, especially the older generations, and the celebration has become commercialized and boisterous. The practice of respectfully sprinkling small amounts of water on monks, friends, and family has given way to what is being billed as the world’s wildest water battle.

Every year, the guns get larger and the fire hoses get more deadly – unleashing powerful jets on (inebriated) motorcyclists is a recipe for disaster.

In a survey performed by Thailand’s Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation, half of the women and girls polled reported being groped or sexually harassed during Thai New Year water festivals.

Increased police presence, designated safe zones, and encouraging victims to report instances have all done little to change such inappropriate conduct.

Infections are still a problem – the brown Chiang Mai moat water is of questionable quality, so shield your eyes and avoid swallowing it. Because buckets and water guns are filled from unfiltered sources, tourists frequently experience stomach issues after Songkran.

Furthermore, frequent changes in body temperature caused by overexertion during the hottest time of year, as well as being doused with buckets of iced water, result in an April cold and flu pandemic. Pneumonia is not uncommon.

Even when phones are wrapped in zip-lock bags, they can get damp. To save a water-damaged device, online troubleshooters suggest using silica gel packets to absorb moisture, followed by a quick professional clean before corrosion sets in.

Songkran marks the end of the dry season and the start of the monsoon rains, assuming they come. To emphasize the importance of tourism to the Thai economy, tourists are urged to pour water on each other, while others are expected to limit their consumption.

During a severe drought in 2016, farmers, rather than revelers, were told to reduce their water use and, in some areas, were subjected to tap water rationing. Calls for a calm Songkran were met with silence.