Thai PM urges people to help preserve Songkran festival

BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday urged Thais to help preserve Songkran festival, or water splashing at each other celebrating Thailand’s traditional New Year, in order to promote tourism in the country. Speaking during her weekly, recorded TV and radio programme, Yingluck, now celebrating the festival in her native northern city of Chiang Mai, urged people to help preserve the annual festival by also offering alms to monks, pour scented water on Buddha images and seek blessings from parents or elderly people during the occasion, started yesterday and ends next Tuesday. As for the Family Day which falls on Sunday, the prime minister prayed that family members should stay together happily. Urging revellers to stay away from alcohol beverages, Yingluck said she is worried about the safety of drivers and their passengers and has ordered for police reinforcements to provide safety for them aimed at reducing accidents. The weather in April is hot so is the political atmosphere in the country, she said, adding that she hopes Songkran festival would be able to cool down the temperament of Thais and make them happy. (TNA)