Songkran Standies stand alone without visitors to come play at Wat Molee, Nonthaburi (Photo: B.Tribune)

Silent Songkran 2

The Songkran holiday has gone quiet for the second year as it has been hit by the prematurely third wave of Covid-19

Although the government has not imposed lockdown or a ban on the event, people are apparently not in a festive mood.

It’s the third time that that country has been hit by Covid-19. In fact, the second wave has not yet completely subsided. This prompts a noted virologist to call the situation, a new wave (of outbreaks) overriding the second one.

Now, the third wave has demonstrated the extent of damage it can cause. Because it’s the newly emerging variant belonged to the UK, which is fast-spreading, the virus has contracted people in almost every province over the past week after it was first confirmed_ and it keeps spreading.

The fast spreading variant has dashed people’s moods, in spite of the fact that the government has not declared any lockdown or a ban on gatherings. Celebrations have been scaled down, leaving only some sacred rituals to perform in temples or at home. No water splashing. No dancing and powdering.

This is particularly true in Bangkok, where has become the epicenter of this third round of widespread outbreaks.

So, some have just prepared food to make a merit for their late loved ones in temples, while others have just sprayed water onto Buddha images to ask for the blessing for themselves in this hard time.

Several temples in the cities have scaled down their Songkran celebrations, leaving only some rituals to be allowed at the compounds, including this Wat Nang Ratchawihan, Chom Thong, Bangkok.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
Some residents prepare food to make a merit for their late loved ones at temples, like communities near Wat Kamphaeng, Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
Only family members gather to make a merit at temples together, like this family at Wat Kamphaeng, Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
Popular tourist attractions including Khao San Road have also gone quiet, in contrast to their glory days when revellers flocked and packed the places to join water splashing up to midnight.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
Empty seats at Khao San Road.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
Some shops at Khao San Road remain opened in a hope that some customers would come and visit them during Songkran.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
No festive moods around again this year at Khao San.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
No festive moods around again this year at Khao San.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
No festive moods around again this year at Khao San.
(Photo: B.Tribune)
A hotel at Khao San tries to open in a hope to receive visitors, with full disease control measures including protective suits for its employees in place.
(Photo: B.Tribune)