Thailand - soak it up at Songkran
Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2007, 12:17 AM by Lonely Planet
Chiang Mai, walking along the eastern moat, I feel the splash of water drench the side of my face. I instinctively look up, down, left, right - then glance behind me, just in time to see the backside of a Honda scooter fleeing the scene.
Naturally, both passengers were packing water pistols. I laughed to myself as they sped off down the Moon Muang Road. Songkran started early in Chiang Mai. The next few days were going to be a bit out of the ordinary. 
Songkran is a three-day-long holiday to celebrate the Thai New Year. Like similar celebrations in the west, the event is symbolic of renewal; a fresh start. But here's the fun part: country-wide, Thais symbolise the cleansing aspect of Songkran by pouring water onto friends and strangers alike.
Over the years, the festivities have gotten a bit out of hand. In Chiang Mai, the ritual that once consisted of little more than the sprinkling of scented water has transformed into an event that many now refer to as 'Water Wars'. Thais and tourists alike flock here en masse every April, and as I sit at a café just steps from the city's ancient brick wall, it seems as if all hell has broken loose. The town centre is the scene of a totally out-of-control liquid revolution. Everywhere I look, someone is firing a ridiculously high-powered water gun, or slinging a bucket of water onto the head of the person closest to them. During the five-minute stroll from my guesthouse to breakfast this morning, I was drenched to the core no less than six times. 
It's worth bearing in mind that all this liquid insanity is done entirely in the name of good fun, of course. A splash from a stranger is considered something of a blessing, and I've yet to see anyone become agitated due to a dousing. Then again, a traveller I spoke with this morning assured me that come this evening, as the drunkenness inevitably escalates, the insanity in this city will explode. To which I can only say: Happy New Year!
- Dan Eldridge
Dan Eldridge is in Thailand researching the Thailand chapter of South East Asia on a Shoestring.
Labels: Asia and Pacific
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3 Comments:
Songkran is the best holiday ever....I was in Southeast Asia for the past 3 and 1/2 month and celebrate 2 New Year (the Chinese New Year and Sonkgran), though Songkran was the BEST. Chiang Mai was the 'town to be' during the celebration!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year to All :)
I was in Khao San Road for Sangkran this year (April 13-15th). It was wonderful. I bet there were a hundred thousand people on the streets but it was all good-natured fun. I love the Thai people. They really are so Jai dee. What a great time.
This year was my first one in Thailand and Chiang Mai during Songkran. I think it is ok in the city, where people come to celebrate, but cannot understand why many stupid Songkran revellers throw water at motorbikes everywhere in the town. Very dangerous and stupid. Some pictures this year. http://peopleofchiangmai.blogspot.com/2008/04/songran-2008-water-war-in-chiang-mai.html
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