Songkran event in Singapore to help promote traditional Thai New Year

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - Thailand does not forbid a Songkran event in Singapore, as it will help promote the traditional Thai New Year in the lead-up to the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. Thai Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Suwat Sitthilo told journalists of the stance on Monday, in response to an online report that Singapore plans to organise an extravagant "Songkran 2014", during which Thailand's traditions and cultures will be showcased to attract international visitors to the neighbouring island state. Suwat said Thailand will also launch PR campaigns aimed to invite international tourists to experience the original Songkran Festival in Thailand, with unique cultures and traditions lying underneath in each region to be introduced to warmly welcome them, namely those in Chiang Mai, Sokhothai and Samut Prakan.(TNA)