140 dead in Thai new year celebrations
Some 140 people are known to have died in frantic Buddhist New Year celebrations in Thailand – despite efforts to tone the celebrations down.
All across south-east Asia, millions of people have been taking part in the festivities, which are traditionally based around water and now involve the use of buckets, water pistols, hoses – and even the trunks of elephants – to soak anyone within reach. In tourist resorts, foreigners are frequently targeted by gangs of teenagers.
But, <I>The Independent</I> newspaper reports, thousands are injured during the festivities and, due to a vast increase in alcohol consumption, the traffic death toll rises fast as well.
Thai authorities are threatening three-month jail sentences for parents of teenagers who damage property or sexually harass anyone, young women have been told not to wear provocative clothing, and throwing water has been banned after sunset; even so, the party atmosphere frequently degenerates.
<I>The Independent</I> quotes Cameron Cooper, editor of the <I>Farang</I> (foreigner) magazine, as saying: “In the big cities, Songkrang unleashes an ugly sexual vibe, and isn’t that fun after a while. Bangkok is the worst.”
<I>Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad</I>
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