Songkran revellers in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province are advised not to use water from the Chao Phraya River for splashing during the Songkran festival, because it is polluted by high levels of Fibrobacteres-Chlorobi-Bacteroidetes (FCB) bacteria, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).
Water from the other 21 rivers and natural water sources were also found unfit for splashing due to high concentrations of bacteria. Among them are the Nan River in Bang Mun Nak district of Phichit, the Yom River in Sawankhalok district of Sukhothai, the Tha Chin River in Mueang district of Samut Sakhon, Samphran district of Nakhon Pathom and Mueang district of Suphan Buri, the Wang River in Mueang district of Lampang, the Lam Pao River in Mueang district of Kalasin, the Songkhram River in Akat Amnuai district of Sakhon Nakhon, the Mae Klong River in Mueang, Potharam and Ban Pong districts of Ratchaburi, the Tapi River in Mueang district of Surat Thani, the Pa Sak River in Tha Rua district of Ayutthaya, the Lop Buri River in Mueang district of Sing Buri, the Phetchaburi River in Mueang district of Phetchaburi, the Rayong River in Mueang district of Rayong, the Ping river in Mueang district of Tak and Kwan Phayao lake in Mueang district of Phayao.
The PCD said that the sea water at 77 beaches all over Thailand has, however, tested mostly safe from water samples taken by the department in February and March.
The department has listed the top ten beaches in terms of seawater quality. They are:
- Thug Wua Laen in Chumphon province
- Hat Rin on Pha-ngan Island
- Hat Bang Ben in Ranong
- Hat Kai Bae on Chang Island
- Hat Sai Kaew on Samet Island in Rayong
- Hat Chaweng Noi on Samui Island in Surat Thani
- Hat Hin Ngam in Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Hat Pak Bara in Satun
- Hat Charn Damri in Ranong
- Hat Pak Koh on Khor Khao Island in Phang-nga province
