BANGKOK: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha made a surprise visit to Khaosan Road in Bangkok yesterday and joined thousands of revellers in a water fight to celebrate the Songkran Festival.
Prayuth, the prime ministerial candidate for the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, arrived at the popular backpacker district around 1pm local time, accompanied by Party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, secretary-general Akanat Promphan, and other party members.
Carrying a colourful water gun, Prayuth—dressed in a casual blue and white shirt—walked through a half-kilometre stretch of Khaosan Road among the crowds who were splashing water at him under the scorching heat, and the prime minister happily returned the gesture.
Although Prayuth’s security team warned the public not to spray water on the prime minister’s face, he still ended up getting completely wet when he left Khaosan Road.
“In the past 15 years, I have never been soaked before. This is the first time in 50 years that I have joined a water fight.
“I didn’t join the Songkran celebrations since I became a soldier. I’m here today, and I feel refreshed,” the visibly delighted Prayuth said.
Earlier, he had also visited three temples in Bangkok, namely Wat Hong Rattanaram, Wat Ratchaworawihan, and Wat Phitchaya Yatikaram Worawihan.
After a three-year hiatus, Thailand is finally unleashing the full-scale celebration of the traditional new year, Songkran. The three-day celebration started on Thursday.
Dubbed the world’s biggest water fight, the yearly Songkran Festival draws thousands of tourists from around the world to celebrate it. – BERNAMA
