Celebrate Songkran Festival In Thailand
Songkran will be celebrated from 13 – 15 April in 2008 (or 2551 on the Thai calendar) and usually runs for about a week unofficially in parts of Bangkok and Pattaya. Thai people know how to party and celebrate their own New Year, Chinese New Year and the Western New Year. Of the three, Songkran is the wildest.
Depending on who you ask, Songkran is the best or the worst time of year to be on vacation. The main reason – water. Traditionally, Songkran is a water festival and celebrated by ‘sprinkling” water on other people. In tourist areas of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, the sprinkling has escalated to fire hoses, water tube blasters, and super-soakers.
Drunken tourists and locals in Pattaya and on Khaosan Road in Bangkok take this festival as a time to get absolutely crazy and drench each other in water. Additionally, a white paste made from flour or talcum powder is smeared on unwitting people’s faces.
If you are in a tourist area or even in an upcountry village during Songkran, you can expect to get wet. The more touristy the area, the wetter you will get. Being soaked and then going into an air conditioned bar or restaurant can be very uncomfortable and could lead to a nasty cold. There is also the possibility of infection as the water is not always clean.
I am not trying to throw a damper on a New Year celebration; I am just trying to let people know that they can expect to see a lot of drunken tourists getting soaking wet during this festival. You can have a lot of fun, but you can see tourists at their absolute worst.
Getting back to the real meaning of Songkran, it is a time to go to the temple to pray and give food to the monks. It is also a time to cleanse the Buddha images at their household shrines and at the monasteries with water and a pleasant fragrance.
This is also a traditional time to make resolutions to do good deeds and refrain from evil and even a time to clean the house. Out with the old and in with the new.
Sadly, it is also the worst time of year for road accidents and deaths on the highway. Wet roads, alcohol, and helmetless motorcycle drivers are a deadly combination. Despite the government’s best efforts, the number of revelers who don’t get to the New Year is way too high each year. The annual Songkran don’t drink and drive campaign usually falls on deaf ears.
Many expats who live in Thailand leave the country or head north to quieter Songkran celebrations and leave the tourist areas to the tourists. Personally, I schedule my trips so that I am nowhere near Thailand during New Years.
As are most other things in Thailand, it is “up to you” whether you want to experience Songkran. I would recommend seeing it at least once and then you can determine for yourself if you want to go back to do it again.
If you go, be careful or the slick roads and drunk drivers, and make sure you bring plenty of zip-lock bags to keep your valuables dry.
About the Author
To learn about chameleon care and romney sheep, visit the Knowledge Bin website.
Christopher is Dead – Motorcycle Drive By (Third Eye Blind cover)
|
|
CHRISTOPHER KANE Motorcycle Leather & Shearling Jacket, US 6/M NWT $1,699.00 |
|
|
14K GOLD Saint Christopher Motorcycle Medal 1″ Pendant $1,079.99 |
|
|
14K GOLD Saint Christopher Motorcycle Medal Pendant SML $599.99 |
|
|
14kt Gold St. Christopher Motorcycle Medal 3/4″ Pendant $499.99 |
|
|
Gold St. or Saint Christopher/Motorcycle Medal No Chain 8185KT $415.71 |
|
|
14kt Gold St. Christopher Motorcycle 1/2″ Medal $249.50 |
|
|
Sterling St. Christopher/Motorcycle Amethyst Medal Rosa $216.72 |
|
|
Sterling St. Christopher/Motorcycle Crystal Medal Rosar $216.72 |
|
|
Sterling St. Christopher/Motorcycle Emerald Medal Rosar $216.72 |
|
|
Sterling St. Christopher/Motorcycle Sapphire Medal Rosa $216.72 |
|
|
St 1″ Gold Fill Saint Christopher Motorcycle Medal Pen $81.97 |
|
|
Gold Filled St Christopher Pendant Motorcycle Sport Med $80.52 |
|
|
St Gold Filled Saint Christopher Motorcycle Medal Pend $73.77 |
|
|
Gold FlSt. Christopher Motorcycle Medal 3/4″ Chn $73.75 |
|
|
Gold Filled St Christopher Motorcycle Pendant Protectio $71.98 |
|
|
Sterling Silver St Christopher Pendant Motorcycle Medal $69.54 |
|
|
GF St. or Saint Christopher/Motorcycle w/18 in chain 8185GF $60.30 |
|
|
St Silvr Saint Christopher Motorcycle Medal Harley Pen $53.52 |
|
|
925 St. or Saint Christopher/Motorcycle w/18 in chain 8185SS $50.96 |
|
|
Gold FlSt. Christopher Motorcycle 1/2″ Medal w/C $49.99 |
|
|
Sterling Silver St. Christopher Motorcycle Bliss Medal $49.88 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER RADKO BIKER TEDDY BEAR HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE ORNAMENT NEW $46.33 |
|
|
Silver St. Christopher Motorcycle 1/2″ Medal $44.99 |
|
|
qu011-g Christopher’s Biker’s Garage Motorcycle Repair Beer Neon Bar Sign $30.84 |
|
|
Christopher Radko Rare Hex Angeles Witch Riding Motorcycle Halloween Black Cat $29.99 |
|
|
Christopher Radko Rare Petite Mrs. Harley Claus Davidson Santa Motorcycle Xmas $24.99 |
|
|
Christopher Radko Snowman Riding Harley Davidson Motorcycle $22.50 |
|
|
4x ccqu0011-g CHRISTOPHER’S Biker’s Garage Motorcycle Repair Bar Beer Coasters $21.26 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER RADKO EASY RIDER VICTORY MOTORCYCLE ORNAMENT IN BOX $19.99 |
|
|
St Christopher Protect Us Motorcycle Topper $16.88 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides a Harley Motorcycle Saint Medal $14.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides a Harley Motorcycle Saint Medal $14.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Medal for Motorcycle Riders Necklace $14.95 |
|
|
Pewter Motorcycle Guardian Bell St Christopher Protect Us Spirit Saint NEW $13.99 |
|
|
Christopher Moody Pirate Flag, 12″ x 18″, Boat Motorcycle RV, No Quarter Policy $10.99 |
|
|
Catholic BIKE MEDAL Bicycle Motorcycle ST. CHRISTOPHER $10.99 |
|
|
St Christopher Motorcycle Guardian Bell Pewter Saint – NEW $9.99 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides Harley Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides a Honda Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides Harley Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides Harley Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides Suzuki Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides a Yamaha Motorcycle Key Chain $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides a Kawasaki Motorcycle Key Chain $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides Harley Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
NEW SAINT CHRISTOPHER MOTORCYCLE GREMLIN BELL $9.95 |
|
|
ST CHRISTOPHER Gremlin MOTORCYCLE RIDE BELL NEW $9.95 |
|
|
ST CHRISTOPHER Guardian MOTORCYCLE RIDE BELL NEW $9.95 |
|
|
St Christopher Rides Harley Motorcycle Key Chain Medal $9.95 |
|
|
Saint Christopher Medal Motorcycle Gremlin Ride Bell $9.50 |
|
|
ST CHRISTOPHER RIDE WITH MOTORCYCLE MEDAL-KEYCHAIN BH02 $8.99 |
|
|
ST CHRISTOPHER RIDE WITH MOTORCYCLE MEDAL-KEYCHAIN BH01 $8.99 |
|
|
ST. CHRISTOPHER Gremlin MOTORCYCLE RIDE BELL NEW $8.95 |
|
|
ST CHRISTOPHER Gremlin MOTORCYCLE RIDE BELL NEW $8.95 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER CONDENT PIRATE FLAG 12″X18″ BOAT/MOTORCYCLE $8.49 |
|
|
Christopher Radko Rare Taz Motorcycle Santa 9/5000 Ornament Christmas Xmas WB $8.05 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER CONDENT PIRATE FLAG 12″X18″ BOAT/MOTORCYCLE $7.99 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER CONDENT PIRATE FLAG 12″X18″ BOAT/MOTORCYCLE $7.99 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER CONDENT PIRATE FLAG 12″X18″ BOAT/MOTORCYCLE $7.99 |
|
|
CHRISTOPHER CONDENT PIRATE FLAG 12″X18″ BOAT/MOTORCYCLE $7.99 |
|
|
Nam Angels $21.99 Lt. Vance Calhoun takes on a dangerous rescue mission of American P.O.W.s in the treacherous Darloc Valley in Vietnam. His only chance to escape is with the help of five young, fearless soldiers on motorcycles. With an array of firepower strapped to their bikes, an arrogant gang of Hell’s Angels head deep into enemy territory to rescue two American POWs and liberate a $10 million cache of gold…. |
|
|
Eight on the Lam [VHS] $14.95 … |
|
|
Big Jake $6.46 BIG JAKE – DVD Movie… |
|
|
The Bourne Ultimatum (Widescreen Edition) $4.24 The often breathtaking, final installment in the Bourne trilogy finds the titular assassin with no memory closing in on his past, finally answering his own questions about his real identity and how he came to be a seemingly unstoppable killing machine. Matt Damon returns for another intensely physical performance as Jason Bourne, the rogue operative at war with the CIA, which made him who and what… |
|
|
Dawn of the Dead [Blu-ray] $6.70 George Romero’s 1978 follow-up to his classic Night of the Living Dead is quite terrifying and gory (those zombies do like the taste of living flesh). But in its own way, it is just as comically satiric as the first film in its take on contemporary values. This time, we follow the fortunes of four people who lock themselves inside a shopping mall to get away from the marauding dead and who then im… |
|
|
Batman Dark Knight Piston Cycle $34.99 … |
|
|
St Christopher Guardian Biker Bell $9.95 Legends say that by attaching a small bell onto your bike, the Evil Road Spirits will become trapped inside the bell where the constant ringing drives them insane… |
|
|
St. Christopher Ride with Me Motorcycle Medal–Keychain, BH010 $9.45 Wear around your neck or hang onto you motorcycle, in your car, etc., for the special protection from St. Christopher. Neck chain not included…. |
|
|
The Darwin Awards 4 $11.06 A new collection of tongue-in-cheek tributes to people whose own lack of judgment led to their demise includes a homeowner who filled his house with natural gas to kill termites, a motorcycle rider who steered with his feet, and a welder who incorpo |