Songkran water festival at Bangkok's major tourist spots called off for fear of COVID-19 spread

The world-renowned Songkran water-splashing festival, earlier scheduled for the middle of next month at Bangkok's major tourist spots, will be called off for fear of a COVID-19 pandemic, said a senior official on Tuesday.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Phongsakorn Kwanmuang confirmed the annual fun-filled festival at the major city spots will be canceled due to a possible COVID-19 spread among Thai and foreign revelers.

Bangkok's major spots where Songkran festival would otherwise be held next month include the tourist-frequented Khaosan road, Silom road and Ratchaprasong intersection areas, according to the BMA spokesman.

Besides, the BMA is calling on the private sector to call off the planned festival in the capital as well for fear of the COVID-19 spread with a lot of water being splashed among the revelers as a carrier of the new virus.

In previous years, Thailand provided a long holiday which might last up to five days in a row for people and tourists to join the festival organized in all provinces throughout the country.

(CGTN)