Songkran was celebrated in the temple Wat Dhammapateep in Mechelen, Belgium.
Songkran one more time (video)
Today is the last day of Songkran. That is why we take a moment to reflect on the Thai New Year.
Songkran 2014: Water, foam, baby powder and road deaths
Thailand celebrated the first day of Songkran yesterday. Exuberant in some places, traditional in others. And like every year, traffic claimed its fair share of casualties. After two of the 'seven dangerous days', the death toll stands at 102.
Songkran: an exuberant party with a black edge
Last year, 373 Thais died in traffic with Songkran. Why can't we make it less, Spectrum, the Sunday supplement of the Bangkok Post, wonders.
Songkran water fight with elephants in Ayuttaya (video)
It's that time again: Songkran has been a fact since Saturday. Until today you run the risk of a wet suit (unless you stay in Pattaya then you will be screwed a little longer). Not from the sweat, although it is the hottest period of the year, but from the water.
Songkran in Hua Hin – Happy Thai New Year!
Songkran in Hua Hin had a strange beginning. This year the weather gods also wanted to participate in this celebration of water. About two o'clock in the night we were awakened by doors slamming loudly.
If Dutch and Belgian tourists are in or arrive in Bangkok between April 13 and 15, you can experience the Songkran party in all its glory. But where is the best place to go?
Songkran 2013: Thai New Year! (video)
The countdown to Songkran has begun. Songkran is the most important national festival in Thailand. It is the start of the new year for the Thais.
The dual face of Songkran
Two different Songkran parties are celebrated in Thailand, I wrote on my website a year ago. The piece never appeared on Thailandblog. Today in the resit: Songkran, as it is celebrated in the hamlet of Somboon Samakkhi.
Songkran, a fantastic children's party for adults!
It couldn't be my preparation. A huge water gun completely filled. Money and phone carefully packed in waterproof plastic bags. Ready for the start of Songkran, the Thai New Year.
Guns in Thai shops
They are plentiful in Thai shops: pistols. I bought two. One for my girlfriend and one for myself. It is necessary that I can defend myself in the coming days when the fight breaks out.
Stress test for Suvarnabhumi with Songkran
It's about tightening up with the Songkran holiday at Suvarnabhumi. Between 9 and 18 April, the airport has to handle 170.000 passengers a day, compared to the normal 160.000. There are 9.437 extra flights during that period with a total of 1,73 million passengers.
Songkran: "Sawasdee pii mai!"
'Sawasdee pii mai!' is Thai for 'Happy New Year!'. Something travelers can expect to hear during the three days of Songkran.
Songkran in Pattaya, a week-long 'party'
That was a bit of a shock when I drove into Pattaya. I hadn't realized that Songkran is celebrated days later in this seaside town compared to the rest of the country. Hua Hin is the leader with only one day of water festival, but in the city where sin was invented, Thai and farang take no less than a week for it. A possible explanation for the late celebration could be that the many bargirls then …
It's over again, the festival of Songkran or the Thai New Year. For some, a wonderful celebration of tradition and Buddhist rituals. For others an ordinary water fight and drinking party. We can take stock and the positive news is that there have been significantly fewer deaths this year. The number is still substantial, but less than in previous years. Whether this has to do with announced police checks is not entirely clear 25% less …
Songkran is over, now back to Bangkok
It is over. The three-day celebration officially ended yesterday. The population movement is starting again, but now in the opposite direction. The Thai have said goodbye to family and are on their way back to Bangkok to get back to work today or tomorrow. Once again it will be very busy on the Thai roads. The SRT is deploying extra trains to transport travelers from the Northern and Northeastern provinces to Bangkok. It …
Songkran in Chiang Mai (video)
Chiang Mai is known for the Songkran celebration. It is a mix of the modern celebration (water festival) and the traditional celebration with parades and festivities. The whole is therefore a bit more subdued but still very cheerful.