Instead of wet flesh fest, Khaosan Road to debut ‘holy water tunnel’

Anyone expecting to celebrate Songkran on Khaosan Road amid the usual bodies undulating to the beat in wet, clinging clothing will be in for a more wholesome surprise next month.

A “holy water tunnel” will greet visitors at the middle of the iconic road as the spirit-soaking highlight of an otherwise dry Songkran to take place, as well as the comeback of some vendors after the always-busy road, shut off from its supply of backpackers, turned into a ghost town for the past year . 

After health officials worried of a potential third COVID-19 wave ordered water splashing banned – meaning no watery fights that are the core celebration for many for a third year – revelers can still be blasted with some fluids – holy water and sanitizing agents, to be exact. After entering the venue through sanitizing gates (like the original, but hopefully not as useless)…