BMA sets its Songkran festival at Lumpini park

BANGKOK, April 3 (TNA) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to organise its Songkran festival celebrations in the form of a temple fair at the Lumpini public park in Pathumwan district, focusing on Thai lifestyles. Bangkok governor Aswin Khwanmuang said the Songkran fair was set at the park from April 12 to 15 and the BMA would ban talcum, water guns, provocative dresses and alcoholic drinks and campaign for the minimal use of water. He suggested visitors use public transport because the Lumpini park is adjacent to Silom road, a highly popular gathering place of Songkran revelers. Pol Gen Aswin also said that the BMA coordinated special security measures with the police to guarantee safety at the public park during the Thai New Year festival. More surveillance cameras were installed. About 260 city policemen will be deployed and security officials will operate six checkpoints with walkthrough security scanners in the park. Highlights of the temple-fair style event at the Lumpini park will include the bathing of Buddha images, big sand pagodas, demonstrations of traditional Thai products, games, desserts and toys, an exhibition on Songkran, an old-fashioned market and a trade fair of outstanding local products. (TNA)