Thais urged to tone down Songkran

Scaled down: The severe drought in Thailand is set to dampen the country’s Songkran celebrations this year.

Bangkok: The government wants the famed Songkran Festival this year toned down to “rod nam dam hua” – pouring a small amount of water on the hands of revered elders to ask for blessings – in the face of the country’s drought problem.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha is concerned about the drought and has asked for public cooperation in saving water, while waterworks authorities are controlling water supplies, spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.