Crackdown on Songkran Fundraising?

[mikenz66]

One of the things I enjoyed last year at Songkran here in the Northern Ang Thong countryside was helping the locals with the fund-raising for the local Wat. I spent many long an sweaty hours collecting small change and 20B notes from passers by. Having a Farang holding out the bowl was a bit of a novelty for some...

This year things started the same. Earsplitting music from 7am to 5pm. However, while we were out yesterday afternoon they were apparently told to shut down and go home. I'm told this is a nationwide crackdown on such activities, and wondered if anyone had any more info. Presumably it does cause hassle and danger in some places, but out here it seems a bit silly...

Mike

[Curt]

Over in the nearby slum, Mr Microphone is busy as ever, pitching for donations, between sessions of mor lam and bad chinese opera!

He shuts down around sunset, just after the drunken masses power up the boom boxes. They take over until well after midnight.

I'm assuming they will continue through the weekend ...

[mikenz66]

Well it came right yesterday. Must have bee a temporary problem. Off to the Wat later today to present the donations...

Mike