CityNews – 11th March 2020, Tassanai Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai city’s mayor, announced today that for the first time ever, Songkran will be cancelled.
The coronavirus outbreak, said the mayor, may not have affected too many people here in Chiang Mai yet, but it is not a risk he said he is willing to take. Even though the tourism and economy will be drastically affected, he says that he hopes that Chiang Mai can take this opportunity to honour the traditional Songkran by organising exhibitions showcasing traditions and customs at both Three Kings Monument and The Pae Gate.
He also said that he would step up the city’s festive décor and make it look beautiful.
He said that this was a joint decision made by many different organisations and it has been a hard one to come by because of the deeply ingrained nature of this New Year festival.
Tassanai went on to say that there will be no morning alms events, no pretty girls on bicycles, no parades around town and he requests people to not throw water around the moat.
However, he insists that we retain some feel of the festivities and both Tha Pae Gate and Three Kings Monument will be the designated areas for any activities.
Those who wish to make merit are encouraged to go to local temples or visit the designated areas where there will be Buddha statues to water for blessing.
Sand pagodas will be erected for people to go to plant the tung flag and other more traditional aspects of the festival will be upheld.
In case some tourists still insist on playing with water, the municipality will be putting signs up all over the city urging them not to.
Having been the city’s mayor for 11 years, said Tassanai, this is the most critical situation Chiang Mai has ever been in. There is an estimated 70% drop in tourism though he says that the real affects can not yet be calculated.