We’re in the throes of spring! And with that come warmer temperatures, comfier clothes, and…massive city-wide water fights? At least that’s the case for those lucky enough to attend Thailand’s Songkran Festival, an annual celebration that ushers in the Thai New Year and kisses the dry-season goodbye with a festival so dope that you wonder why the only water fight extravaganza we get is that lame Waterworld War at Universal Studios.
Seriously, everyone is just hanging out with super soakers? What are we doing at home right now?
The Songkran Festival runs from April 13th-15th every year and is a celebration of new beginnings, goodwill, and love — all expressed through some friendly water war. This three-day New Year’s celebration draws more and more tourists each year as people all around the world clamor to join in on the fun and super-soak their troubles away.
Despite clearly being one of the greatest celebrations in the world, this year’s festival isn’t without a small dose of controversy after some tone-deaf/ sexist remarks made by Suthipong Chulcharoen, Thailand’s Director General of The Department of Local Administration. The official suggested women dress more conservatively in an effort to prevent sex-crimes during the annual water festival.
Considering the average April temperature in Thailand is almost 90 degrees, and its humid-as-f*ck, not to mention its a… you know… water fight, this resulted in loud criticism, notably from Cindy Sirinya Bishop, a Thai-American model whose words and story sparked the hashtags #DontTellMeHowToDress and #TellMenToRespect.
This exactly the kind of backward archaic thinking that we need to stand up to. I don’t usually go on a rant but this one hit too close to home. I was sexually assualted at a Songkran festival by a group of drunk ass men and I was in a T-shirt and jeans….
— Cindy Sirinya Bishop (@cindysirinya) March 22, 2018
Why do they warn us “Don’t GET raped” instead of telling men “DONT RAPE”
.#donttellmehowtodress #tellmentorespect— Cindy Sirinya Bishop (@cindysirinya) March 24, 2018
The hashtags brought the voices of many women together who shared their stories and words of encouragement to highlight the real problem — men who just can’t keep their hands to themselves and show a decent level of respect. Bishop’s comments have started a movement in Thailand akin to the #MeToo movement and created a much-needed dialogue.
I was literally wearing pants and a sweater and still got cat called at a mall so I don’t know what kind of bullshit they’re trying to say with “don’t dress sexy” to prevent sexual assault or harassment in Thailand 🇹🇭 #DontTellMeHowToDress
— °.~*♡•𝓒𝓸𝓬𝓸 รุ้งพลอย•♡*~.° (@Kook0w0) April 13, 2018
What began as a spur-of-the-moment rant about the injustice of women being told how to dress in order to avoid sexual assault had turned into a nationwide movement and has captured the attention of news media all over the world, likening it to Thailand’s version of #MeToo.
— Cindy Sirinya Bishop (@cindysirinya) April 13, 2018
Controversy aside, if you’re ever lucky enough to go to Songkran, don’t think you’ll be able to simply spectate (why would you?) because everyone dry is a target in this joyous celebration of togetherness and rebirth. Which means it’s also a chance for Chulcharoen to be born again, possibly with a whole new philosophy on this issue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhim8Uuj-2H/?tagged=songkran2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BheUa2Tg4f7/?hl=en&tagged=songkran2017
