Songkran (13-15th April in 2012) signifies the beginning of the Thai New Year and the washing away of all the bad luck that happened during the last year and the welcoming of the new one. Traditionally, families washed their elders with scented water and thoroughly cleaned their homes and the many statues of Buddha throughout Thailand, but this has gradually evolved into a no holds barred waterfight across the country. Although elements of the traditional festival remain (in Chiang Mai, statues of Buddha are paraded through the streets so people can throw water on them to cleanse them and even Tesco Lotus had a stand inside the main door with miniature statues and bowls of water with petals in them for the same purpose), after visiting the temples, most people prepare for the new year celebrations by obtaining a seemingly endless supply of waterguns, buckets and barrels of water to throw at whomever passes.
Songkran (Photo by Lim CK)
Everyone from the unlucky (or enterprising, depending on how you look at it) shopkeepers, laundry ladies and restaurant owners who work during the holiday, to whole families who have converted their pickup trucks into mobile refilling stations enthusiastically takes every opportunity to soak everyone in sight. And just because you’re a tourist, don’t think you’re safe – in fact, you might find yourself a prime target! Of course this is a wonderful time to visit Thailand and many people will arrive in the country on cheap all inclusive holidays during Songkran. If for any reason you’d prefer not to join in, the best thing to do is stay in your resort as even those in waterproof clothing will find bowls of water sneakily tipped down the backs of their necks if they stand still long enough…The fun happens on the streets when motorbikes zip by…they’re stopped by groups of people with whistles and barrels of water and buckets of talcum powder mixed with water. Stopping sometimes isn’t an option as a chair or other makeshift roadblock may be placed in the way! Drivers and riders alike are unceremoniously squirted with water and then smeared in the talcum powder mix accompanied by joyous shouts of “Happy New Year!” This is the absolute best time to use the element of surprise if you’ve come ready-armed…shoot everyone you can whilst they take their time refilling their bowls and guns!The streets are lined with tiny little kids brandishing small pistols, devious adults who have filled their barrels with ice so the facefulls of water everyone encounters can send shivers down the spine (although this being Thailand, it is always sunny so getting warm again is usually only a matter of minutes) and people with garden hoses, all spraying each other. The splashing can be heard from several streets away!
What is noticeable is that aside from the more heavily touristed areas, the emphasis is on getting stuck in and having a good time, rather than drinking, which means that the celebrations don’t get out of hand. The waterfight is usually contained to all day on the first day of Songkran, and ends when it gets dark. Everyone goes home to dry off and then share food with relatives, before heading off the next day to visit their extended families.
It is such a unique occasion that you will most likely want to take pictures – if this is the case, you are advised to grab a waterproof camera case (or fashion one out of a sandwich bag and electrical tape!) and stand on slightly higher ground. Don’t take too long though as you’ll miss out on all the excitement…bring a sense of humour, watergun, a smile and get involved. As the old saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them. It’s likely to be the most fun you’ve ever had on New Year’s Day!
