Asia After Dark May 2017 | Page 20

SONGKR AN

Songkranisatimeofcelebration , it ’ stheThaiNew Year . Peoplecomefrom alovertojoininthepartyandfestivities . However , this celebrationisalsooneofthemostdangeroustimesoftheyearassadlymanypeopleareinjuredanddeathscontinuetorise . Whatis itaboutthispartythatcausessomanyinjuries ? Therearetwomainaspectstowhatcausessuchahigh deathtolaswelashundredsofinjuries . Alcoholand vehicles , nomaterhow manytimeswarningsareissued andsafetycampaignspromoted , peopleignorethem and continuetodrinktoafrenzyanddrivetheirmotorbikeor car . Whatisinterestingishow peoplereactindiferent areasofThailand .
Forexample , inPatayathereisalargeamountof touristspresent . Getingdrunkseemstobethebiggest priorityandoncethealcoholtakesefect , unfortunately thegreycelsseem todisappear . Somanytimesyou witnessforeignersdeterminedtothrow waterashardas theycanatoncomingmotorbikes . Thewatergunsaimed atpeople ’ sheadsratherthanbodies , helbentontrying toknockpeopleoftheirbikes ! Iwonderhow manyof theseculpritswouldbehappytoletthishappenshould thepersononthebikebeamemberoftheirownfamily .