Many Thai netizens are criticising Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the chairwoman of the national panel in charge of promoting the Songkran festival, for her plans to celebrate the festival with her children in Hong Kong.

They argue that Paetongtarn could visit Hong Kong any time, yet she has chosen to travel during the Thai New Year water-splashing festival, when she should have stayed in Thailand.

Paetongtarn, who is also the leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party, was actually discussing her father Thaksin’s plans for the festival with reporters when she unexpectedly revealed that she would be taking her three-year-old and nine-month-old on a sightseeing trip to Hong Kong.

Some Thai netizens argue that Paetongtarn’s children are too young to enjoy the trip to Hong Kong.

Others, however, defended her, suggesting that she might have planned the trip a long time ago and could not change her schedule.

As chair of the national panel, Paetongtarn has campaigned for both Thais and foreigners to celebrate the festival in Thailand. The government of Srettha Thavisin, who was her Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, has already allocated more than Bt100 million for campaigns and activities for the festival.

Thaksin, who was recently released on parole from a prison term for corruption citing old age and serious ailments, appeared healthy and strong post-release, sparking criticism and doubts about his illness.

If Paetongtarn goes to Hong Kong, she will miss the first opportunity to celebrate Songkran with her father since his return to Thailand last year, after nearly two decades of living in self-imposed exile abroad.

She mentioned that her father might travel to his home province of Chiang Mai again, but the schedule has not yet been finalised.