Broadcaster Hong Seok Chun helped a woman who collapsed at the Songkran festival in Bangkok, Thailand.
On the 22nd, Hong Seok Chun posted a video on his social media with the caption, “Bangkok Songkran accident. Safety comes first.” The video showed Hong supporting the woman who had collapsed during the festival, then moving through the crowd with her companions to a safe place. His calm and helpful response caught the attention of viewers.
Hong explained, “The Bangkok Songkran festival is a water festival to welcome the New Year, but accidents happen every year. This year, news reports say there were 191 deaths and hundreds of injuries.” He added, “There are many traffic accidents, but many young people lose their precious lives due to excessive drug and alcohol use.”
He said, “I was invited as a festival DJ and participated in this year’s Songkran. While enjoying with younger friends at another festival, I helped a Thai woman who had collapsed from alcohol and hypothermia to a safe place. Thankfully, it did not lead to a major accident.”
He continued, “When dancing and shouting while getting wet for long periods in an intoxicated state, shock or hypothermia can strike suddenly, so please be very careful. There will be many festivals this summer, and above all, I hope everyone enjoys them safely.” He concluded, “Youth is beautiful, but please act responsibly. From a mid-50s old-fashioned uncle.” He also added, “I wonder if that Thai woman knows I am Hong Seok Chun?”
Songkran is Thailand’s largest traditional New Year festival, held every year around April 13. Originating from a ritual of pouring water over Buddha statues, it evolved into an event of splashing water for blessings among people. Today, it has expanded into a large-scale street festival featuring water guns and fire trucks. In 2023, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.