Sansern said the PM had made it clear that Songkran was a Thai way of life and it was impossible to ban water throwing during the festival.

“If the PM is going to issue any instruction, he is not going to talk to one person but [will talk to] the Cabinet,” Sansern said.

Prayut has urged Thais to be aware of the water crisis in the country and celebrate Songkran responsibly, the spokesman said.

Sansern said police and concerned agencies would take action against websites that ran the water-ban story.