Full blast Songkran, Human wave brings festival to a head

Bangkok Post News

Tens of thousands of Songkran revellers in Khon Kaen are expected to break their own record today as they round off the three-day water festival with a gigantic human wave.

HerRoyalHighnessPrincessMaha Chakri Sirindhorn performs a ramwong dance during Songkran celebrations at the Lao embassy in Thailand yesterday. PATTANAPONGHIRUNARD

Last year's event, which took place on Khao Neaw Road, drew 42,652 participants. This year, the event organiser has sectioned off 800m of road, up from 650m, to ensure it can accommodate bigger crowds.
Revellers have been warming up for today's main event. On Wednesday, 23,104 people joined in a human wave for the first day of Songkran.
In Bangkok on Wednesday, Thailand landed an official Guinness World Record when 3,477 revellers gathered in front of CentralWorld and took part in the largest ever water pistol fight.

Agirl in Thai traditional costume brings out her water pistol in a Songkran celebration in front of Sukhothai historical park. PHUBAS FAITES

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Centre yesterday reported that 57 people were killed in road accidents on Wednesday _ the third day of the so-called "seven dangerous days" of Songkran. The total death toll now stands at 116.
The number of road accidents and casualties were less than for the same period last year. As of Wednesday, 1,626 accidents were reported with 1,760 people injured.
According to the centre, the main reason for most injuries is riding a motorcycle without a crash helmet. About 30% of the victims are under 20.
Two people have been arrested for violating a ban on the sale of alcohol on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Deputy Public Health Minister Punsiri Kullanartsiri.

It’s a hopelessly onesided encounter for this young guy on the pickup truckashefires his water gunagainst buckets of water in Soi Chokchai 4 in the Lat Phrao area. APICHIT JINAKUL

The first arrest was made in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district when a vendor allegedly sold alcohol in a temple compound.
Another vendor was arrested for allegedly selling alcohol at a petrol station in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The ministry has received various complaints about sale of alcohol on Khao San Road in Bangkok and police have been asked to look into the matter.

FARLEFT Love thy neighbour and drench them thoroughly say residents of Chokchai 4 Intersection in the Lat Phrao area. APICHIT JINAKUL
LEFT People carry food offerings and flags across the country’s longest wooden bridge to payhomage to theimage ofLuang Phor Uttama in Sangkhla Buri district in Kanchanaburi.Many local people and visitors pour scented water over the image andseek blessings in a ceremony marking the annual Songkran festival. PIYARACH CHONGCHAROEN
FARLEFT Traffic barely crawls along Silom Road where Songkran revellers celebrate for the second day of the festival. PATIPAT JUNTHONG
LEFT Atourist ducks return fire as he engages in awater battleonKhao San Road. BUN KOSOLAWAT