Just a little while and it's that time again: Songkran aka Thai New Year. Songkran is the most important national festival in Thailand. It is the start of the new year for the Thais.
The celebration lasts on average 3 days, from April 13 to April 15, but this can vary per place. In Pattaya, it even takes 7 days.
Songkran is originally a religious festival that is all about gratitude for the past year and happiness for the new harvest year. For this, the local temple is visited. Respect was shown to the elders and monks by sprinkling the heads and hands with scented water. Buddha statues were also bathed (cleaned).
Nowadays, Thai, expats and tourists attack each other in the street with huge water pistols. Revelers drive pick-ups and trucks through the city. These are full of large barrels with water and sometimes with ice blocks in them. The goal is to drench or spray every passerby.
Songkran haters
Many expats hate Songkran and stay in or flee the country. The main reasons: water wastage, polluted water is thrown, it is dangerous due to the many drunken Thai people on the street and it is no fun to keep walking on a wet suit.
Songkran is fun
Still, Songkran is in my opinion a fun party that you should experience once. I have now experienced it twice myself and I enjoyed it. Read a report from Hua Hin here: www.thailandblog.nl/events-en-festivals/songkran-feest/
Statement: You must have experienced Songkran once
Whether Songkran is fun or not, you can only determine if you have experienced it once. But maybe you don't agree. So give your opinion about celebrating Songkran in Thailand.
Statement of the week: You must have experienced Songkran once!
Yes, agree. You must have experienced Songkran once. In the eight years that I have lived here in Bangkok (I cannot judge other cities or the countryside) I have seen the water festival degenerate in some places. It has become a license to drink alcohol for 4 days, to be drunk, to stop everyone (sometimes several times a day) during all days and to throw water, sometimes ice-cold water (which is different from pouring water). As a foreigner in a predominantly Thai environment, you are of course screwed every day and several times a day. I sometimes get tired of that because I absolutely cannot ignore Songkran when I go outside, want to go to the market or to the 7 Eleven.
Two different Songkran festivals are celebrated in Thailand. One is celebrated by a selfish minority who abuse Songkran's spirit. Hooligans who regard the party as a license to get drunk, to race recklessly on the motorcycle, to use drugs, to gamble and to spray them with supersoakers or water hoses on unsuspecting passing motorcyclists.
But there is also another Songkran. In the hamlet of Somboon Samakkhi, for example, about 120 kilometers northeast of Bangkok in the province of Nakhon Nayok.
I experienced it and wrote a story about it. See: http://www.dickvanderlugt.nl/buitenland/thailand-2014/thais-nieuws-april-2014/het-dubbele-gezicht-van-songkran/
Dick van der Lugt wrote, among other things: “Hooligans who regard the party as a license to…..
I agree with that! (also disapprove of this) But.. that they use super soakers or water hoses
Spraying "unsuspecting" passing motorcycles...I disagree!
Songkran festival…you can hardly miss it!
The Thai (Siam) new year is ushered in this way.. it is so well known that you can already speak of "unsuspecting" people.!
Sawadee pi mai 2557
Songkran can be fun, but I'm not devastated about being thrown with ice water. Last year I had to walk through homepro soaking wet, because I was forced to buy something there. While I had no problem on the Pethkasem Road, on a side street - on my motorcycle - I was pelted with a bucket of ice water and completely whacked. I was just able to keep myself upright.
I find it just as annoying that things have to go so far in the cities and tourist centers as the New Year's events in Western regions and the exuberant drinking during carnival in my native region.
Last year we lived in Kao Kuang, a village on the outskirts of Hua Hin. There we celebrated Songkran for a day and I loved it. Old style: the monks, the food brought for everyone, the competitions that were held and also the wetting with water. No crazy things and although there was drinking, no exuberant guests. I think you should experience this. Not that stupid shit on the street.
I have nice pictures as a memory. This year we are on an island and I hope it will be nice and quiet there as well.
I think it's a pretty infantile party if you walk with your water pistol as an adult
I experienced the party once. Amazingly beautiful. It's just a shame that there is a lot of drinking going on. I would also like a beer, but the Thais just keep going. And very dangerous on the road. But it remains a great party.
Completely agree with sjaak and why in pattaya 7 days three days more than enough.
Agree (with the statement). Been to Hua Hin about 5 times now and generally enjoyed it. Everyone is friendly and wishes you sawadee pi mai (if I spell it right).
Unfortunately you have excesses especially in the bar district (ice water and big water 'guns'). Especially foreigners who make a mess of it, but Thais also know their way around it. Fortunately, that's a minority.
Walking from our Soi (41) to the center is an experience and experiencing the parade in the center is just great fun. Both the Phetkasem Road and the Naebkahardt Road are full of cars in traffic jams, but no one is impatient, but very friendly and fun!
Again this year: first sitting together, some food and drinks and then the walking tour to the center. Looking forward to it again!
Everyone: sawadee pi mai!!
I've experienced it twice. Was a lot of fun. If you walk outside for 10 minutes you are already wet, but in the Country where the weather is so nice, it doesn't matter. Protect your valuables well, e.g. plastic bags.
Everyone should experience this once, just great
These are really the beautiful things you can experience in Thailand
Everyone makes a party of it.
Coming from the south of the Netherlands myself, but Carnival really can't match this.
this Saturday Songkran in Waalwijk in the Buddharama Temple every year fun with dance, music, good food and drinks (very nice)
You must have experienced Songkran at least once but not in Chiang Mai.Pattaya or other tourist hot spots.
My most beautiful Songkran ever was in Nong Kai, where the ceremonies started in the temple with rites and prayers and ended with the procession where I was allowed to walk with the neighborhood community after which I went home soaking wet, but everything happened in a respectful way and the celebration was about 14.00:XNUMX PM was over. And then it was time for the children and toddlers to mess around with the garden hose.
Most spectators of the procession remained dry as a matter of fact.
..
I too have experienced this party in the interior. Really cozy and heartwarming, some water on your wrists or on your neck to wish you luck, Afterwards some innocent fun with some drinks. A really pleasant experience.
I also experienced this party 1x for 1 hour in Pattaya, I am already disgusted, returned to my hotel as soon as possible, fortunately outside Pattaya. I hardly went outside until it was over.
The gang of drunkards who do not spare even families with small children and, while howling with laughter, spray them with either, for the well-to-do, ice water, or, for the poor, sewage, dented my faith in the dignity of man so much, that I was really ashamed to belong to this race.
Well, no problem, I'm not here! Let the called to enjoy themselves.
I don't even feel sorry for them yet.
Didit
I think Sonkran is an intrusive party, it is no longer the Sonkran of the past. Whether you like it or not, you cannot move freely during the Sonkran because there is a good chance that you will be thrown sideways. And that in Pattaya for a week. Incomprehensible and then the life-threatening high-pressure water jets. And for people with a heart condition, the ice-cold water is also dangerous for them. I wish everyone his party. But this is 7 days long no thank you, I don't have to. One day is more than enough. Loi kratong can last a week for me. Days through the year we go without water, but with Sonkran it is just wasted and there is plenty. Why can't it be the same through the rest of the year. Other than that I wish everyone a happy, safe, healthy Sonkran.
I completely agree with the statement that you should experience Songkran once in your life.
Years ago I deliberately chose to plan my trip in such a way that I could experience it in both Bangkok and Pattaya, but after 3 – 4 days I started to get tired of it in Pattaya.
The following year I didn't think about the Songkran event at all and booked my trip, unfortunately, I arrived on the 1st day of the party but flew on to Phuket.
Also there Songkran, of course, but with the difference that at 6 o'clock in the evening I could just sit dry at the bar with a dry pack of cigarettes in front of me.
However, the shock was great when I arrived in Pattaya after 1 week and saw the morons working their water gun pipes until late into the night.
Now I have been living permanently in Pattaya for several years and after having fled to Bali 1 x, I now make sure that I have everything in my house to get through these days, not seen me in a Baht bus on my way to do some shopping and then soaking wet the having to enter the air conditioning of, for example, the Big-C.
In the village where my wife comes from, Ko Chang in Sa Keaow, I saw some children with a water pistol and a garden hose from which a little lukewarm water seeped out and after 3 days everything returned to normal.
In Pattaya, countless businesses of middle class people are closed for more than a week, so no income and this year after year, good for the flourishing economy, shall we say.
Last year, the mayor of Pattaya Ittipol Kunplome proudly reported that there were no fatal traffic casualties in his province during Songkran, I wish to doubt this, but it is certainly no merit.
In the rest of Thailand hundreds of traffic deaths, caused in most cases simply by excessive alcohol consumption!
No, this feast no longer appeals to me, rather give me Loy Kratong.
You must have experienced songkran to judge it. So I experienced it. The real fun is mostly ruined by the non-thai. They throw ice blocks through the water and also pollute it, if you are thrown wet with it, that is not a pleasant experience. It can give you quite a cold in that hot April month. So when I'm in Thailand during songkran, I stay inside until sunset, then life goes back to "normal".
I agree with the statement but I am sorry that some people take advantage of the situation. Drinking way too much and then driving and endangering other people and, for example, guns with ice cold water are not the ingredients for a party for me. Perhaps it is an outlet for their frustrations for the Thai and for Thailand visitors, but it is still a pity that a party like Songkran is therefore abused.
I've been experiencing it for 5 years now, I've now decided not to participate in this anymore.
the reason is that ICE WATER gives me a heart attack.
I'll leave it to the youth.HAPPY NEW YEAR
Actually a small question: What time does the water mite usually start in the morning? I plan to flee CM on Monday morning and want to try to get away somewhat dry with the bike.
Regards, Peter.
Moderator: one time you are Bona and the other time Diditje. We call that trolling and it is not allowed.
I think you must have experienced Songkran. I too always walk through the streets of Pattaya with a large water gun. The Beach Road is then my regular terrain. Wonderful, especially to spray tourists who indicate that they do not want to get wet. Haha, don't take to the streets with Songkran. You know it's going to get wet, so prepare for that too.
moderator: Your comment does not comply with our house rules.
Songkran is a fun party that you should definitely experience. But in the last few years, while we were cycling with friend Jib, we were sometimes thrown with ice and ice-cold water. And that scares you very much. I definitely don't like that...... Why throw ice water!!!!!!
But if you cycle through villages where the children are ready with buckets, yes that is very nice. That's just enjoying together.
With ice water, the surprise is the greatest! I can't get enough of people who are scared to death by that cold water. You should see those faces, haha.
I have responded to this response before, probably a bit too strongly, but read carefully what it says, Quote; “I can't get enough pleasure from people who are scared to death by that cold water.” “You should see those faces, haha”
For me that falls under the chapter of gloating (enjoying someone's suffering) you have read reactions from people that can cause them fear and then I do not think this reaction is appropriate.
Lex K.
Dear Rene
I really like Songkran they can wet me as often as they want
If there is someone Thai or Falang who does that with ice water.
Will he get a blow for his resins. I know more people who think that way
So watch out Rene otherwise you may be very shocked
I hope my comment isn't seen as harsh, it's just the way I am
Lex is absolutely right
experienced it 1 time and indeed from 10 am to 21 pm you can not just shop ..
it didn't matter how or what, many ladies with shoulder bags with valuables were soaking wet
and you will be pelted with ice-cold water. with very dirty water
songkran is therefore a great opportunity to visit the family in the Netherlands.
You really have to experience Songkran yourself. However, many expats and tourists do not get the chance to experience (the spirit of) the real, original party happening.
In my opinion, especially in Pattaya, Songkran has degenerated into a banal bachanal event, which in my opinion can best be compared to the most excessive Carnival celebrations in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
That many grown people even get carried away so far that they roam the streets all day and night like “urban guerrillas” armed with water sprayers, looking for “confrontations” with other “combatants” (or, unfortunately, also unsuspecting passers-by) I think is downright pathetic…. What on earth possesses someone to deliberately travel to the other side of the world, only to surrender to such infantilities…?
Apart from all the minor inconveniences (wet suit, damaged mobile phone, camera, etc.), all physical suffering (falls caused by moped riders being knocked over, traffic accidents due to excessive alcohol consumption, possible hydrocutions as a result of the enormous temperature contrast when people be doused with ice-cold water, etc.)
As if things weren't bad enough already (in Pattaya, people officially "celebrate" for no less than seven days), it is true that in Pattaya, it usually starts a few days earlier, because the people who travel here especially for this purpose simply do not can wait with the crazy fun. Moreover, those same “party animals” continue undisturbed day and night. In certain places the street is simply closed off, so you have to stop. Of course, you may only rejoin your road after you have had at least one bucket of ice-cold water thrown over you, much to the delight of the nice guys.
The fact that you happen to be on your way to, for example, the daily physio treatment in the air-conditioned clinic will be a concern for those same nice guys.
In fact, if you say something about that, and thus object to the way in which those people think they are allowed to treat you, you will get a lot of reproaches!
What I do like without any discussion is the celebration on the last day of the festival on Beach Road. But here the tradition (the spirit of the party) is also somewhat alive, and when you join the festivities here, you also choose it completely VOLUNTARY.
Kito
Hello, I'm Didi,
Song Kran is THE party of the year for me.
I spend my entire vacation on it.
You can't imagine how much fun I get to use my large water cannon, as it were the extension of my ...
Spray as many people as possible with sewage or ice water.
An indispensable part of my stay!
Please take the reverse as the truth.
Happy new year.
Didit.
I do not subscribe to the statement that you MUST have experienced Songkran, it just depends on whether you have an appetite for it and what you are looking for, if you want to see a bunch of adult people, mostly tourists, drunkenly throwing water all day long, preferably at the most anti-social ways, then you must have experienced it, if you want to experience Songkran in a traditional way, you have to do some searching of course, you must do that too, but that is a completely different event than what takes place in the large tourist centers , that no longer has anything to do with Songkran, a combination of both is also possible of course.
The Songkran party that comes closest to the original is recommended, by the way, but that's just my opinion.
By the way, rules of decency prescribe that no more throwing water after sunset, previously it was the case that throwing water was allowed from 10.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m., this was the hottest time of the day and then you were dry again in no time, you had the chance to in the evening just normal, dry, to eat.
I have been coming to Thailand since 1983 and I have seen a lot of changes, such as the Songkran and Fullmoon parties, both of which have turned into an extremely commercial party for the benefit of the tourist industry, it has nothing to do with the original thoughts anymore and it gives tourists, who are looking for that, a license to let themselves go completely and live it up (misbehave in my eyes), with the excuse that it is part of it and is a Thai tradition.
I've seen Thailand change a lot in 30 years, due to massive tourism and I have to say; not for the better, but again that's just my opinion.
Yours faithfully,
Lex K.
This is also my opinion…..
I've also experienced it twice but disagree that it's 'mostly tourists'.
Have only seen one person do it.
Greetings,
Elly
Elly,
Out of pure curiosity; may I ask where you experienced it 2 times, was that in large tourist centers or in a place where it is celebrated more subdued?
Thanks in advance for your answer,
Lex K.
In Bangkok once and in Hua-in.
A difference that is!!!
You will also encounter those tourists who misbehave and act there outside the Songkran parties, Dutch people with their big mouths, Russians who are even more rude!!
I call that the scum of the earth!!
There are plenty of nationalities that know how to behave, but those exceptions are particularly noted. Not the decent tourist.
Already reported 37 deaths today, that bothers me the most.
Greetings Elly
Of course agree with the statement, you have to experience it sometime.
Unfortunately, it is no longer the party of what it used to be. Getting the cup of water poured over you to wish prosperity is no longer an option. (at least not in Pattaya!!) In Pattaya you have to wear sturdy shoes in order not to be sprayed off the street / sidewalk. Going to a restaurant makes no sense at all, unless you just have to go out for dinner in nice wet clothes. (You're not the only one). It's quite a fun party while walking. Don't take a bathbus, it's definitely your turn and the road is slippery and dangerous due to evading scooters / cars, drunk people who go into traffic if necessary. Many traffic deaths as a result of this annual celebration. The cup of water has been replaced by water pistols, water cannons and fire hoses, you will understand that the latter does not do much for your mood and safety. Unfortunately, water (also dirty water) with ice cubes is all the rage. Understand that many avoid Pattaya and even leave, but hope that everyone will experience such a party in a slightly quieter place to taste Thai New Year.
Don't be surprised, because if you know what to expect, it will be less "bad" and you can also have a lot of fun, although a week is a long time like in Pattaya. Franky
It's not necessary for me either. Get tired of that made-up glee. They don't mean it because after Songkran they fight each other again. Reason enough for my wife and myself to divert to our home in Malaysia for a week this Saturday.
I'm going to celebrate Songkran for the first time this year! Do an internship in Bangkok now and stay near Central Latprao, but have booked a cheap guesthouse near Khao San Road especially for Songkran for 3 nights. We will see! I'm not the party type (don't drink either), and I'm curious if I don't go screaming crazy after 1 day 😛
If I go crazy, I'll be back in my studio in no time, a waste of the money from the booked room, but no disaster!
Going to Thailand for the first time to dive and have a stopover in Bangkok on Sunday 13/4. I'm looking forward to being a part of this New Year's party, it's going to be 2558 there I think? All you expats, as they say, who can't handle it, just go back where you came with your missionary mentality
Frank
Frank,
We are 2557 since January 1 and will remain that way throughout the year.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaise_jaartelling
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeddhistische_jaartelling
Everyone is allowed to have an opinion about Songkran, but try it at least once before making a judgement. This is like expressing your opinion about Thailand or Pattaya without ever having been there. (There was a statement about this a while back.)
You might want to read Dick van der Lugt's response (April 10, 2014 at 08:47 AM) about this.
I totally agree (celebrating two kinds of Songkran and especially the behavior of the participants).
Dear Frank
Do you come primarily to dive or to celebrate Songkran?
Or are you mainly concerned with offering your missionary attitude a wider (figuratively than) support…?
You wouldn't be the first, if that's any moral consolation.
: )
Enjoy those things that you like yourself (I can confirm from my own experience that all Thai coasts offer wonderful dive sites) but let others decide for themselves what they like or don't like.
Have a very nice holiday, and above all come up safe!
Kito
That is very presumptuous. 🙁 Is it so bad to say that in my personal opinion getting wet / sprayed once is fun, a second time also, but after the third time it starts to get pretty annoying?
A lot is nice in and about Thailand, but not everything, it can be that simple.
You have to have experienced it to have an opinion on it and those opinions will be diverse as with any statement.
Live and let live, everyone's pleasures.
I find it more difficult that the newspaper, after Songkran, proudly reports that the number of deaths and injuries has fallen again compared to the previous year.
Every death and injury is one too many, mostly caused by alcohol, drugs, accidents (often on mopeds), fatigue and recklessness.
If the counter, for example, is 200 fewer deaths this year, then there will still be hundreds left ………
Pointless! Will never be able to understand that.
Don't feel like it? Try to plan around the water times (not to mention the white powder) as much as possible.
For the opponents, strength.
For the proponents, have fun and keep it safe.
Greetings Elly
YES! Absolutely yes, in addition to the great three-day water festival with a beautiful religious background (cleansing of body, mind, Buddha, etc.), it is already a party in itself to be able to experience this party with the Thai. In addition, there are many activities and festivities around the temples, which is also great.
Very different from any party! I've experienced it both in Phuket and Chang Mai. And you really don't have to drink to experience a great fun and beautiful party!
After 1 time Songkran in a big city you have seen that.
Popular, everyone in a party mood, fun.
Also confrontational (especially the wetness), everyone euphoric.
However, in a small hamlet, Songkran is much more typical and pleasant.
There you do not see (young) adults spraying water.
The children have a small bucket of slaked lime (is that?) .
Another carries a bucket of water with him.
Then you are whitewashed on the jaws, and you are sprinkled.
The idea behind this is to look for the temple / faith. As long as it is not made of gold, it must be limed. And get wet regularly. If you do that on New Year's, it means a good start to the year, starting clean and fresh. That's how it was explained to me. Been misled, please read it?
Sabaidee pimai!
As a true Brabant resident, I have been appreciating the Sokran festival in UdonThani for almost 7 years. We Brabant residents who also enjoy carnival can appreciate this water festival better than many expats who are not from Brabant. Every year for 3 days with the garden hose at the ready, we are in our neighborhood. children at our gate waiting for someone to come, they then spray them wet. And then the sport of trying to get from home to the city center dry. We, I said crazy, and some Dutch neighbors are making it a kind of sport We try to get wet as little as possible. And that almost never works. Then we drive the Sokran route with a pickup. We then stand on the pickup with 3 200 liter barrels of water and splash everyone.
The undersigned once even managed to throw a bucket of water over the head of a police officer while he was directing traffic. The result was great, he just kept laughing at Farang who did that to him. We also think the parade in the city is great.
Farangs who hate Songkran are really old and worn out. They are real whiners.
And then the joy we experience when our grandson Pietje tries to join in with those grown-ups in a children's pool at the door with a tiny beach bucket.
That is the beauty of celebrating songkran and we do not use alcohol and do not drive a car or scooter with alcohol.
I have now experienced it 40 times and it is no longer necessary for me, what an idiotic hassle! By the way, I never found anything wrong with that stupid mess. Where I live, it happens on the 17th of April and only lasts half a day, from 12 to 17 pm and then it's over, luckily. I used to be a few times with my woman went to her family, Nakhon Sawan and 20 km through the jungle. There all the old people were lined up, seated on chairs, and paid respect by pouring water on their hands and washing their feet. That is Songkran celebration and not that tossed with buckets of water and high-pressure cannons.
Frank,
We are 2557 since January 1 and will remain that way throughout the year.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaise_jaartelling
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeddhistische_jaartelling
Everyone is allowed to have an opinion about Songkran, but try it at least once before making a judgement. This is like expressing your opinion about Thailand or Pattaya without ever having been there. (There was a statement about this a while back.)
You might want to read Dick van der Lugt's response (April 10, 2014 at 08:47 AM) about this.
I totally agree (celebrating two kinds of Songkran and especially the behavior of the participants).
Songkran takes on a very special meaning when the municipality where you live shuts off the complete water supply to your home/neighborhood for 3 days, so that you cannot shower and water your garden, because of that stupid water waste festival in the city center. to make possible.
This happened to me in Ban Pong (a fairly large town on the road to Kanchnaburi) where I lived on the outskirts of the town.
The city center was flooded for 3 days and I was without water for 3 days.
What a retarded waste in a country where water is so scarce that over the course of a year, residents often go days without water from their tap because it is simply not there.
Very true, you must have experienced it once, but after the first time I had an air raid shelter built under my house.
I stock up on enough coffee, peanut butter, herring, potatoes, sauerkraut and smoked sausage for a week in advance and don't come out until everything is safe.
I also do this in Holland on New Year's Eve and carnival because I hate it when people have fun.
Since I came to live here in Thailand in October 2008, I have experienced songkran with my wife every year. Now in Bangkok, then again in my community and several times at home. I experienced it once in Belgium, which was organized by the monk of the Thai temple in Waterloo. A real party with singing, dancing and of course, food. When we wanted to drive back home, a woman threw white gunk over the car, which I didn't think was possible, but luckily we were able to easily spray away the white spots and stripes. I'm not really in favor of the water throwing thing, but when you're in the city or at home it makes a big difference. It is much more serene at home: as an older person you are honored by having water poured over your head and hands with the regular expression: “sawadee pimai en millionaire” (this is said here 3 times a year: on January 1, with Chinese New Year and so now also with songkran). The Bouddha statues and associated attributes are also sprinkled with fragrant water. Then the water festival starts: with water pistols and garden hoses we try to spray each other as wet as possible. I always put on my swimming trunks, so it doesn't matter how wet I get sprayed and the wardrobe is not far away! ;). Because we now live here alone, my wife has invited some family members this year, which is more fun than just having my brother-in-law's grandchild with us. Then it's water fun all afternoon and that's it for the rest of Songkran (I hope anyway).
Sawadee pimai to all. 🙂
Experienced this so-called party once. That was the last time. It takes way too long and after 20 minutes the fun was over. Extremely infantile stuff. A lot needs to change in Thailand in all kinds of areas. As far as I'm concerned, Songkran is one of them.
Moderator: please don't chat.
@Frank: songkran simply belongs to the culture and folklore of the country as carnival belongs to our culture and folklore with us. The year does not change, just as the Chinese New Year does not change year.
What Khun Peter describes is correct in Hua hin.
You can consciously look it up if you enjoy it.
If you want to avoid it, you can, just stay a few hundred meters away from the center.
Usually it only takes a few hours and it is done in Hua hin.
By the 2nd day , there is almost no one left to do anything about it .
To please my friends and family, I ride in the procession and am annoyed by the drunken fahrang I encounter.
I am then ashamed to be fahrang when I see that .
Really rude as there are how they behave .
Then I think sometimes you ask yourself to get a slap.
my first visit to Thailand was in Pattaya on the first day of the songkran, I had underestimated this party. Especially in Pattaya it is quite intense and I had not discovered the plastic bags to protect your valuables during the first few hours. The result was a damp camera money that was soaked. On the first night I was eating with a layer of talcum powder in my face as thick as a knauf. I didn't really like the party the first few days, so I kept myself away from it as much as possible. I also found out that in Pattaya the first few days the party only started around 12.00 and stopped around 20.00 because it is still difficult to dry afterwards (some mischievous people think they should always continue)
However, then came the last day of the big songkran in which all Thais also participate, this time I decided to buy a super soaker and wear old clothes, and I have never been able to experience such a party, I can tell you. All those Thai completely crazy sometimes life-threatening maja that's not my problem, I had a great time until the evening and went out with some Thai but also Russians, everyone just had a big party.
You must have experienced Songkran, but the big party with the Thai and not other days with mainly tourists.
We'll see tomorrow. Am now in Chiang Rai and it will be the first SK for me. It will also be the last time for a while. As we normally stay in Thailand in October/November.
I have experienced it for many years, but if I want to be sincere, they can abolish it, it is no longer fun
today mine also went to the party and what are the consequences of a scooter accident, and then come crying, they call it a party, he is lying in bed for the time being recovering from the fright and the drink. is a frightening image when you see that, drinking and spraying each other wet, and the powder in short for me, I don't need such parties. I wrote. i'm under the spell of pho tak.
I have experienced Songkran a number of times now in Satuek. Just have fun and get wet. No extreme hassle as you see in some tourist places. If you don't feel like it, just stay at home. But always commenting on Thai culture or customs is typically Dutch. Even water wastage is added. As long as we in the Netherlands are still blowing 80 million euros into the air on New Year's Eve, we better keep our mouths shut.
Songkran is a great party that comes back every year.
I've experienced it about 3 times now and yes, this is a party to remember.
However, you have to go along with it otherwise you will think too much:
Yes, there is quite a lot of drinking, it is a license to let yourself go completely, there are many traffic accidents and people lower their normal social standards, but on the other hand it also releases the child in you: I I feel like an 18-year-old teenager again at the age of 58. I also go around with a super water cannon for 3 days.
All I need is shorts, a worn T-shirt, plastic sandals and a plastic bag for your money, cigarettes and camera so they don't get wet. Wonderful simplicity of life. Very different from the average Dutch mentality: just act normal and you're acting crazy enough. On the other hand, we also have these kinds of things in Holland: the fairs, especially in North Holland, the carnivals: I have very large cauliflowers, etc. Then I like Songkran a lot more. Let's be honest with each other: the fairs in Holland in particular and the carnival are also a kind of license to get completely drunk. finally being able to reach out to your handsome neighbor without getting punched in the face, etc. The 1st day of Songkran is a lot of fun, the 2nd day is still fun, the 3rd day you think: yes, well, it was fun, can I? light another cigarette. I once experienced a German coming out completely unsuspecting, not knowing about Songkran, dressed in a stylish suit with accompanying briefcase and probably having an appointment with a business associate. The moment he took a step outside, he was hit with the full load of a bucket of water. Thais make no distinction on that point, a party is a party and everyone will get wet. He was really angry, if not furious. I went to him to explain the situation before it got out of hand. He could still laugh about it afterwards.
Songkran a party? Absolutely yes. That things are getting out of hand in some places?
Yes, that also happens, just like in the Netherlands.
Hans