Despite their expensive water, Singapore vowed to host a two-day Songkran party-slash-music festival featuring international artists next month, and although water-fight party doesn’t exactly violate copyright infringement, some Thai netizens are irked by Singapore’s pending party.
“Here we go! Just when Songkran is no longer a tradition our ancestors wanted it to be, Singapore has stolen this ‘crazy water-fight party’ and our tourists because Thais are still fighting … #RIPsongkran,” wrote Pongsuk Hiranprueck, a popular Facebook personality.
As described on their website CelebrateSongkran.com, the event aims to create an “all-Thai” Songkran experience for Singaporeans by hosting a Muay Thai match and a shopping bazaar of authentic Thai handicraft and delicacies.
Many Thai pop stars are also invited to perform at the event such as For-Mid, KnomJean, Film Rattapoom and Neko Jump.
The debate between Thai netizens whether it is right for Singapore to host a Songkran party as a competition to Thailand was heating up the social network this afternoon.
“Originality only exists in one place. They can take it but will not be able to imitate the Thainess,” one user on the Postjung forum wrote.
Meanwhile, many netizens do not seem to mind and feel this is a way Singapore promote their culture.
“It’s all good. They like our tradition, and they promote it. Not like we haven’t stolen anything from the West. Valentine’s, Halloween… ring a bell?” Tatu wrote.
After all, the fact is Songkran is not solely a Thai tradition. The water-fight festival is also celebrated in Laos and Myanmar, but they’re not as popular because they don’t have coyotes dancing on stage.
“Songkran is not only ours. Laos and Myanmar celebrate it too. What’s the big deal? Summer is hot, and they have rights to splash water at each other. No harm,” Lady Galadiel wrote.
We don’t feel too threatened. After all, we all know anything more fun than shopping is illegal there.
The Celebrate Songkran will be held on April 12 and 3 at the Padang on St. Andrews Road. For those of you staying in Thailand during the holiday, we found another interesting party in Bangkok during our research called “Songkran 8.” Not entirely sure what it is, but tickets are available online and there’s a hot promo video.
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