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15 April 2011
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‘bunkered’ expats to reappear after songkran
HUA HIN THAILAND Many seasoned expats every Songkran virtually lock themselves in or hed for the hills to escape the annual revelry and mayhem that is seen here, despite the event being relatively tame in Hua Hin in comparison to places like Chiang Mai or Pattaya where the water throwing and aqua ambushes can last up to two weeks. Foreign business owners here aren’t that impressed by the festival either, citing the damage that water can do to expensive fittings, floorings and electrical equipment, as well as the usual accompanying deafening soundtrack in certain parts of town , and despite the influx of people to Hua Hin for Songkran, they do not normally see a corresponding hike in takings. Businesses also suffer as their staff, naturally, want to visit family and partake in the fun, while on the financial side the banks are closed (this year for five days in a row) and ATMs are often out of cash. Unfortunately there is also normally a mini crime wave around the Songkran period, as nefarious individuals try to take advantage of police resources being used to deal with traffic and the likelihood of more serious accidents on water soaked roads, and AWOL has heard of a number of break ins across town. This year it does appear as though efforts to reduce the death toll on the roads are bearing fruit, with reported accidents, fatalities and injuries down by over a third compared to last year so far, and it can only be hoped that will be the case for the entire period. Only figures for the first two of the ‘seven dangerous days’ were available at press time, but these showed that on Monday and Tuesday, April 11 and 12, the number of deaths was CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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