Thailand is mulling celebrating Songkran in July 2020 to make up for lost holidays in April that could not materialise because of Covid-19.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in Thailand is actively considering a series of holidays as reimbursement.

The authorities said they will assess the results of phase three relaxations this month, which started on June 1, and are even dangling carrots in front of people to behave in socially-responsible ways to keep the coronavirus at bay and number of infections in the single digits.

If all goes well, the Thai new year festival and its festivities will be back in July.

Previously, the government delayed the holiday from April 13 to 15 until further notice.

Businesses re-open

All businesses have been given the go-ahead to re-open on June 1, except bars and pubs, and some other entertainment venues.

Some 16 business types and leisure activities resumed and the curfew has also been reduced to 11pm to 3am daily.

Phuket is trailing behind the rest of the country with a ban on its beaches and airport still in place.

According to Bangkok Post, ”if the Covid-19 situation improves satisfactorily and people strictly observe the basic guidelines of social distancing, regular hand-washing and face mask-wearing", the CCSA said it "might ask the government to declare special public holidays in July”.

There has been no recorded local transmission of Covid-19 for over a week in Thailand.

A state of emergency is still in place until at least the end of the June, though.

It provides the prime minister and his appointed committee sweeping powers to address the Covid-19 situation in Thailand without consulting parliament.

Songkran's popularity

The annual water festival has traditionally been held on April 13, in between the transition from the dry season to the wet season.

The event has become a big tourist magnet for more than 10 years.

It has gone from traditional Buddhist festival to organised water fights in the streets of Bangkok and tourist towns.

The 2020 Songkran was cancelled as the country ordered people to be locked up at home.

However, the government is proposing holding a Songkran festival in July if Thailand's third phase of the easing of lockdown restrictions goes smoothly in June.

Background

The festival, apart from all the water splashing, is the biggest family get-together of the year.

Thais head back "up country" for large family celebrations.

The festival is also the most dangerous time on Thailand’s roads each year.