Thailand beefs up security ahead of water festival

The festival, the traditional Thai New Year, running from April 13 -15, is expected to draw a big crowd of tourists. 

Lieutenant Colonel Akrawat Sitanabun-ubon, a Koh Samui police inspector, said in order to ensure safety for all tourists, especially during the upcoming Songkran festival, the security force has implemented many security measures on Koh Samui and Koh Pa-ngan islands just off the coast of Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, as well as on the shore where boats leaves for islands. 

According to the officer, the relevant agencies will also carefully check the safety of boats as well as the condition of crew members, and ensure boats are equipped with lifejackets and lifeboats. 

The Thai called its traditional New Year festival Songkran which is the occasion the Thai pay their homage to the Buddha, cleaning their home and splashing water on the elderly to express their respect. 

During the festival, there are many parades and beauty pageants, people cook traditional dishes and wearing colorful costumes. 

Songkran has become an international festival. The more splashes the festival-goers get the more luck they have.