Forget the drought; Thailand's national water fight is on

BANGKOK -- Drought? What drought? Bring out the water guns!

Thailand may be going through its driest period in 20 years. But the country's military government wants visitors from around the globe to know the biggest water fight in the world is still on.

So, get your buckets, hoses and other gear ready for the three-day nationwide street party that begins Wednesday to mark the Thai New Year.

"We can still use water for the new year festival. It's not that dry," said a government spokesman, Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

The government has instructed the Tourism Ministry to make sure foreign tourists don't misunderstand the severity of the drought and cancel holiday plans out of concerns the water supply will be cut off, he said.

After all, there are millions of dollars at stake.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects this year's holiday will generate more than $427 million for the tourism sector and attract half a million visitors in a span of five days.

Songkran, as the festival is known, has the spirit of a soggy Mardi Gras and is a major tourist attraction.

Revelers line the streets or prowl the roads in pickup trucks, armed with water guns and plastic bowls, and douse anyone in sight.

Some areas are closed to traffic for wet and wild street parties with loud music, booze and dancing.

Controversy has preceded this year's water fight, with environmentalists and other critics calling for festivities to be curtailed.

Twenty-seven of Thailand's 77 provinces have been declared drought zones, with the lowest level of rainfall in more than two decades. Farmers have been ordered to curtail their water use and scale back planting. Tap-water rationing is in effect in certain provinces.

And yet Thailand's military government is playing down the dry spell and says it is powerless to crimp such a popular national holiday.

"As the prime minister has said, Songkran brings happiness to the Thai people, and canceling it would be too difficult," Sansern said.