So quiet

Everywhere in Chiang Mai is so quiet at the moment, I took this shot at 8.15 on Saturday night. New Covid prevention rules have been introduced covering the Songkran Festival, restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol. This also applies to bars. We can still buy alcohol to consume at home. Restaurants also have to close by 11pm. We are about to get an influx of visitors from Bangkok. Bangkok has very high levels of infection, they are supposed to quarantine for 14 days on arrival, but for those driving here I really can't imagine how this will be monitored as most will be staying with family and friends. We already have 189 new cases, we were on zero. A large field Hospital has been erected with a 500 bed capacity. I feel sure that most of you will find this as horrifying as we do. My friends in England and Scotland are enduring various lock down regulations. My nephew in England has been unable to celebrate his 18th birthday or his 19th birthday. Swimming pool restrictions have been put in place at our condo complex. Only 4 people at at time can swim, we will have to book a time slot, and only 2 people are allowed in the gym.

Songkran celebrations have been cancelled. No parade and definitely no water splashing. This is the festival where you get wet, people throw buckets of water at each other, or use hosepipes. To be honest we won't miss the getting wet side. Road traffic accidents soar due to drink driving, motor cyclists also have water thrown over them and can easily fall off or crash. It is a crazy time.


Rant over.

On the upside we have had more rain. The sun shone all day and the rain arrived last night.

Stay safe and well.