The weather gods are not very favorable to Songkran, the Thai New Year, this year. Due to the drought in recent months, the water reservoirs are only 54 percent full.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority has warned revelers not to waste water, as there must be enough water for domestic use until the start of the rainy season next month.
The Royal Irrigation Department joins that call. It will not discharge any extra water from the reservoirs, which does happen in other years. The large Bhumibol reservoir in Tak province is less than half full and the two other large ones, Sirikit (Uttaradit) and Pasak Jolasid (Lop Buri) do not contain much more water.
The province of Chiang Mai, a popular destination during Songkran because of the many festivities, has asked the RID to discharge 18 to 1,2 million cubic meters daily from the Mae Ngat reservoir until April 2. Normally 1 million cubic meters of water is available. The message does not state whether the RID complies with the request. Chiang Mai University says that the water from the canals can be used without risk.
Meanwhile, the so-called 'seven dangerous days' started on Thursday, a period in which the number of road casualties, mainly as a result of drunkenness, increases sharply. On the first day, 39 people died in traffic and 342 people were injured. The attached overview.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Apr 13, 2013)
Maybe things will change in Thailand after all. I now saw police posts set up for the first time at Phrae and large warning signs stating that alcohol and those water launch tubes are prohibited. A start of improvement?
The water throwing by the children along the side of the road has started. I give them that fun.
Jacques, I completely agree with your story, I really like those children who are having fun, but I must admit that I am immensely annoyed by those water-throwing drunken tourists. These people rape a beautiful old tradition, this has nothing to do with songkran!!!
In ChiangMai near Pratuh Chang Puack, households are already running out of water for toilets etc. and it's only just begun. Someone has also drowned in the Mae Ping River who wanted to grab some water but stumbled and did not come up again. Have a nice party.
There is ALWAYS water shortage, especially inland. The people who live close to the coast do not know that, they pump from the sea. While they are pouring and spraying millions of liters of water, there is still a note hanging in the elevator: “don't spill water”! With underneath, “close the tap while brushing your teeth”.
Should there still be sand? However, often passively enjoyed it. I leave the buying of toy guns to the children.
Have fun. Bart.
People who live close to the coast do not experience a water shortage, who pump it out of the sea?
Do you think that seawater comes out of our tap, dear Bert.
In Pattaya you can notice it well, during Song Kran, there is little pressure on the water, especially on the east side they suffer from this.
Last year I experienced Songkran in Chiang Mai and that will probably be the last time. The first day I went to the center and just let it wash over me. It was not fun at all what most Thais would have me believe. If it's still – like ever – just throwing a little water, it's fun, but nothing could be further from the truth. They throw a lot of water over you at the same time and then you are also attacked with water pistols with which they pretty much shoot your eyes out of your head. To make matters worse, it is also the dirty canal water that people often use. People also often mix the water with ice and if you are unlucky you will also get the ice cubes thrown hard at your body. It has become a totally degenerate and hysterical event with lots and lots of drunk Thais and foreigners.
They don't see me during Songkran outside when I'm there.
Well, come to Hua-Hin next year, I've been here for 7 years and have never been sprayed with canal water, nor have I ever experienced people throwing ice cubes at your head...! And if you are wet, it is a problem that you get a whole bucket poured over you, okay, the ice water is not always pleasant, but in the heat I don't mind such a cooling, the cold feeling disappears after 5 seconds. max. disappeared again. The water pistols aren't too bad either. I have never heard or read that during or after Songkran the emergency rooms in hospitals were overrun by people with eye injuries caused by the water pistols.
Of course there are groups of young people who become rowdy under the influence of alcohol, but I have not yet experienced degenerate and hysterical situations, the Thai keep each other in check when things threaten to go off the rails.
What could also be done is to experience and watch songkran in a strategically safe place such as from a bar or restaurant, which is also fun, I see many people (especially farangs) doing that.
In any case, songkran remains the best (water) party in Thailand for me.
For lovers (and haters) of Songkran my column of April 12 on Thailandblog's FB page.
Thailand, April 12 – Boys and girls. We will make it a fun Songkran party from April 13 to 15. Gear up with the Nerf Super Soaker Electro Storm (795 bht), Nerf Super Soaker Scatter Blast (750 bht), Nerf Super Soaker Thunder Storm (995 bht), Nerf Super Soaker Shot Wave (1.095 bht), Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock Water Blaster (1.495 bht), Water Gun Backpack (250-269 bht), Mebius Water Gun (269 bht), Avenger/Shark (319 bht), Steady Stream 2 (439 bht), Outlaw (599 bht) and Hydra ( 699 bht). Thanks to Toys “R” Us, the company wishing you a Happy SongKran Festival.
There is only one salvation for a great Songkran. That it's just like last night with us
will be washed away by the rain, but for about five days.
Water problem solved and the Thai no longer have to bother someone with the same water. A lot of booze remains and then it's still fun.
Cor van Kampen.
I thought I'd be the only whiner. Yesterday I was in Hua Hin for a while. I could walk through the shopping mall soaking wet and with air conditioning. Yeah, I shouldn't have gone. Own fault. Outside the music was deafeningly loud. I was gone again quickly. I give people their pleasure, but I don't like this kind of excess. Just act normal, then you're acting crazy enough.
My girlfriend is now at the temple. I am quietly alone at home. And I enjoy that now.
Yesterday I went to Khon Kaen with the children of the family to the Songkran event here in the city. First with everyone in the back of the pick-up, 6 children and then, by popular request, myself too. And, of course, a farang is obviously the ideal target. We drove all the way around the lake and then all walked to the Central Plaza where some stages were set up. I still had a good time. It's not necessary every day because when I got home around 21.30:10 PM I was very tired. The years of course and also throwing the little buckets of water. You could get water from the water tower here for XNUMX TB. Clean and ice is not necessary for me at all. We have taken our precautions so that we do not have to do any more shopping for the rest of the crazy days. I would say: a little understanding for their days of collective madness, take some precautions and it will be over in no time. Whining and complaining doesn't help, so what's the point. I've seen a lot of beaming children (and adults too): carpe diem, before we know it we'll all be covered in green grass... or wherever it may be.
Just got back from Laos – Luang Prabang. Songkran was also celebrated exuberantly, but still with the necessary respect for the people, in other words, it was quite fun this way. Yesterday we made a stopover in Nong Khai. It was already a bit busier when it came to Songkran, but I watched it from a distance because I didn't want to have to get on the bus in a wet suit. Never saw a water shortage anywhere.