Sonkran 08

Post by **iagra** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:16 am

Hello all.
New poster here.
As a regular once-a-year tourist in your lovely country, I have never yet been able to visit during any of the famous Thai festivals, such as Loy Krathong, Songkran or Christmas, and it looks like Christmas is off the agenda yet again.
This year, however, I notice that Songkran falls on 14/15 April and these dates happen to coincide with my last day/night in Hua Hin and Bangkok respectively before I fly back home from the short, self-ndulgent Easter trip I have just arranged for myself.
I have read often about how this celebration can sometimes be a bit seriously over the top for us sensitive farangs. On the other hand, I would like to see it myself, if only to find out if it's as bad as they say.
Now that I think about it, my last night in Hua Hin will probably be the 13th, but I will be travelling to and staying in Bangkok the following day.
While I hope to keep my luggage and travelling clothes as dry as possible prior to the flight, I do wonder if I will get a taste of Songkran in Hua Hin before I go.
Any thoughts?

PS. Laugh all you like, but I'll be spending the next day or so in Khao San Road, Bangkok, and have a fair idea of what to expect there....

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:41 am

Ian,

I've done a couple of Sonkrans in Hua Hin. From my experiences, the battling tends to kick off at about 3 o'clock the previous afternoon, and continues until about 6pm the following day. During that period, its great fun, and don't even try to stay dry - you won't.

Some people tend to go overboard (usually farangs), and during my last Sonkran visit there was a mad American throwing (what smelt like) raw sewage at passers by - certainly you didn't want to stand next to one of his victims afterwards. However, that is the extreme exception rather than than the rule.

Outside of that period, the fun is found in spasmodic pockets - easily avoided if you've had enough.

The festivities tend to be a bit more extended elsewhere.

Post by **klikster** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:17 pm

I'm one of the folks who doesn't like the modern version of Songkran with the water cannons, throwing buckets of ice water (complete with ice cubes) and complete craziness .. mostly by farangs.

I experienced my first Songkran here in '89, knowing little about what was actually going on.

I wandered into a pub in Saphan Kwai on the main party night of Songkran. It was a bit crazy with 2 bands and I was the only farang there. I got very drunk. The next morning I woke up with less than total recall. I checked my cash and seemed to have spent less than Bt 100. And my clothes were completely dry. I was later told that quite a number of Thais "toasted my good health and happiness".

In another (mostly Thai) pub, one of the bartender ladies asked permission to bless me. They had a silver bowl of water complete with a tiny little dipper. She dipped out a few cc's of water and poured it on my shoulder, then waied me.

It used to be a very nice tradition that the "fun at all cost" farangs have slowly ruined, IMO.

I made the mistake of driving through Chiang Mai city one day during Songktran. A 'possee' of perhaps a half dozen 20 something farangs were stopping traffic at Tapae Gate. They were armed with powerful water squirters and buckets of water.

I saw them open the door of a car ahead of me and throw in a bucket of water. I hit the central locking system on my car and tried to drive through. One blocked my path while 2 more tried to open the doors of my SUV. They actually started beating on my windows with the water squirters.

I was so angry I actually decide to drive through. I guess they saw my expression because they did get out of my way.

I hear farangs who know little about Thailand talk about the holiday being "good clean fun". BS!. It's an excuse for a mild form of drunken hooliganism.

I have seen people knocked off motorcycles by the impact of water thrown from a bucket.

Just follow the news. HUNDREDS of people die in road accidents during Songkran.

Farangs are not to blame 100% for what has happened to Songkran, but they have made significant and negative contributions.

Songkran is a time for the Thais to return home for the blessings of their parents.

Rant finished.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:50 pm

klikster,

I totally agree with you how Sonkran should be. How do I know that? Its because that's the way it still happens here in the UK.

Regarding the Farang influence on what happens now in Thailand, who manufactures and markets these Weapons of Mass Destruction? Who puts those huge ice-cubes in to the water butts? The Thais have seen it as a money making festival, and the Farang (especially those on holiday) enjoy playing along.

Post by **caller** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:14 pm

Its not just farangs! Korat usually has the worst fatality rate in LOS during songkran. Seemingly all the young village guys going into town on their bikes and getting drunk - check out the video's on youtube. The farang population there is tiny as a % of the population and I just read elsewhere that only 2% of visitors to LOS actually visit the region (goodie).

Post by **Jaime** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:08 am

Disagree with Klikster and agree with BB and Caller's comments. I've only ever spent Songkhran up country and it is mental - convoys of pick up trucks overloaded with absolutely hammered Thai families and water buts. I have been one of the drunken crazies on the pick up and only saw one other farang doing the same - we did a double take as we passed each other - although that was about 5 years ago. Seen plenty of nasty motosai accidents during Songkhran - none involving farangs. I always avoid Songkhran now.

Having said that, the gentle water pouring as mentioned by Klikster is still practised when you go from house to house, giving and receiving blessings and it is genuinely pleasant. I think the nicest part of the Songkhran ritual is the rot nam dam hua blessing to parents and other elders, which is very respectful. Oh, and the fact that the local coppers turn a blind eye to all the sato being distilled! Mmmmmm - like rice scrumpy!!!

Post by **Vital Spark** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:26 am

I have to agree with Klikster on this one.

We've experienced a variety of Songkran celebrations, in both farang dominated areas and out in the sticks Thai style locations.

Opening car doors and chucking a bucket of water inside is not what Songkran is all about - and I've only seen this happen when farangs have been around. My worst experience was down Soi 4 (Sukhumvit) - I was embarrassed to be there.

Yes, you do get the odd pick-up of Thais who've maybe had a tipple or two, but they're still polite, and if you say 'no thank you' they respect that. I think that some Thais have copied the slightly more aggressive 'falang style' (sadly) just like they copy other Western-style traits - because they think it's trendy and cool.

It's a Thai tradition, and the farangs should copy the Thais, not the other way round. Luckily, we're usually in a foreign land during this time, so we can avoid the mayhem.

VS

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:04 am

VS,

Yes, you do get the odd pick-up of Thais who've maybe had a tipple or two, but they're still polite, and if you say 'no thank you' they respect that. I think that some Thais have copied the slightly more aggressive 'falang style' (sadly) just like they copy other Western-style traits - because they think it's trendy and cool.

IMHO there's a couple of bit wrong with the above statement ie:

- the odd pick-up
- a tipple or two
- still polite

Or do you mean that the odd Thai pick-up truck is still polite, while the dozens of others are not?

Post by **Jaime** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:19 am

Big Boy wrote:Or do you mean that the odd Thai pick-up truck is still polite, while the dozens of others are not?

Ha ha! You are dead on BB! More like bumper to bumper!

Post by **caller** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:50 am

Not too many farangs here (Udon Thani):

Post by **Jaime** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:01 am

Nice one - is this your vid? If so are you behind the camera or the farang on the pick up? My photos were taken in Suphan Buri, or maybe U-Thong. Somewhere around there anyway, I forget now but very similar to the vid you have posted.

Seems like every town has a Carabou lookey-likey driving a WW2 vintage Japanese jeep!

Post by **caller** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:42 am

No, not me! I was actually searching for the one from Korat, but it must be posted on something other than youtube?

I'll be there in person for the next one - not sure whether HH or Korat (province) yet?

My wife won't venture into Korat (City) when its happening (107k away), too dangerous, just stays in her village or heads to the nearest "town" 14k away and there are no farang there (yet), its still a soak-down though!

Post by **iagra** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:01 am

Many interesting replies here.
I was aware from my reading of most of the negative aspects mentioned - although, as I said, I have never witnessed these festivities first-hand - but I note that very few of the posts have been directly related to Songkran in Hua Hin itself.
Phew....
Only Khao San Road on the very day I fly home to worry about, then.
OTOH, I'm a bit disappointed that I will apparently be unable to glimpse as much as a small water pistol in Hua Hin.
Personally, I think you should try most things once, and a bit of communal madness observed from a safe and dry haven sounds fine by me.
Anyway, it's months away yet.

Post by **Daywalker** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:53 am

Nowerdays Songkran is nothing else than a nice opportunity for idiots to show there true face! When a byke driver gets 5 liter of water over his head during driving than it is just dangerous and stupid!
Traffic should be excluded from this customs completely,best would be to forbid driving at all that day!

Post by **pfotoguy369** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:35 am

I learned my lesson after the first time. I spent it up in Loei which was mild compaired to many places.
Last year and this year too I will be in the PI.