rinteln

Jingthing

We are talking about Expats not tourists. I don't know of that many expats who use the Baht buses. Even if they do its not many. Even still the Expats that might use them would/should know the route and hence going into an area they know in advance that will be a "terror area" as you call it. Also if it is an expat then he/she will know other routes......ie Theprasit road so more likely to go that way.

Again as an Expat you know in advance so if you were really bothered you then you would either go a different route, not at all or if you live in South Pattaya then you wouldnt go to Jomtien at all.

The point is for an Expat the so called terror spots are more than avoidable. Hopefully you guys can proper prepare next year.

It seems that a statistically significant proportion of TV posters are mathematically challenged sheep. There has never been nor there will ever be 10 days of Songkran in Pattaya.

1. Full scale terror: 1 day, 19th. 2. Localized mayhem: 2 days, 18-19th.

3. Inconvenience to visit central Pattaya: 6 days, 14-19th

4. Inconvenience to visit Beach Rd Soi 7-8: 8 days, 12-19th

I am a resident (for 2 more days) but cannot vote since I'm using the lackluster TV app (due to a rather annoying IP ban), but if I could vote I would say it is fine as it is. Just buy yourself a Binky for next year to soothe all of the crying.

"1. Full scale terror: 1 day, 19th. 2. Localized mayhem: 2 days, 18-19th.

"3. Inconvenience to visit central Pattaya: 6 days, 14-19th"

"4. Inconvenience to visit Beach Rd Soi 7-8: 8 days, 12-19th"

Brilliant

"Just buy yourself a Binky for next year to soothe all of the crying" ....Good idea but maybe not enough.On another thread I did suggest maybe they can set up their own "post songkran syndrome" group where they can try to get over their terrible ordeal that they have had to go through....lol

12-19 i count 8 days

for those who want to come back:

HOW DOES IT LOOK TODAY THE 20TH?

thanks

It did technically start on the 11th but you would have to have serious issues if you count that as a "terror day". Even the 12th - 14th was only in very concentrated areas that most could avoid easily.

The real "terror days" (as they say) is surely only 16th - 19th.

But even the 12th - 14th can be terror days if you need to be in those area's

True, but what Expat needs to be in those areas for things other than women or booze. Most Expats don't work. There are 7/11's, laundrettes, internet shops, restaurants and just about everything else everywhere in Pattaya. Note I am talking about Expats, not tourists. The amount of people that actually have to go along beach road or the Sois on those dates must be small.

12-19 i count 8 days

for those who want to come back:

HOW DOES IT LOOK TODAY THE 20TH?

thanks

It did technically start on the 11th but you would have to have serious issues if you count that as a "terror day". Even the 12th - 14th was only in very concentrated areas that most could avoid easily.

The real "terror days" (as they say) is surely only 16th - 19th.

I would not find it difficult to believe that many expats wish there was no Songkran, so I would not consider the OP to be disingenuous. People may wish (secretly or not-so-secretly) that there was no Songkran if they had their dithers, but they would definitely be wrong to think that will change anything! I'd imagine such a person may not fully embrace Thai culture, and are among those that leave the country every year to avoid Songkran entirely. Since it's not a celebration they grew up with, I imagine they simply hate that their day-to-day life in paradise is disrupted by the many inconveniences that Songkran presents.

I personally LOVE Songkran and voted for a 7-day celebration. Glad you took part and had fun, Rintein - Happy New Year to you and the wife!

"but they would definitely be wrong to think that will change anything!...................Beautiful

"I imagine they simply hate that their day-to-day life in paradise is disrupted by the many inconveniences that Songkran presents"...........................even more beautiful

Happy New Year to you too

I think it was silly in the OP to imply there is any serious interest in having NO Songkran. Songkran is the Thai New Year!

Well from reading various posts on this forum over the last 7 days I don't think I could be blamed for thinking that's what many of you guys want. In fact i'm surprised there aren't quite a few of "no songkran" votes. Maybe I should not of made it a public poll....lol

Again, I think you are wrong. It isn't a matter of residents wanting to abolish Songkran entirely. That is absurd and I think you are being disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

"It isn't a matter of residents wanting to abolish Songkran entirely"............lol. Could of fooled me.

I think it was silly in the OP to imply there is any serious interest in having NO Songkran. Songkran is the Thai New Year!

Well from reading various posts on this forum over the last 7 days I don't think I could be blamed for thinking that's what many of you guys want. In fact i'm surprised there aren't quite a few of "no songkran" votes. Maybe I should not of made it a public poll....lol

I voted 3 days, because that's just enough 10 days is too g*dam_n_long

Yeah agree, 10 days is way too long.

In previous years I haven't really paid much attention to Expat forums during Songkran but this year I have. I have to say it has been interesting reading about all the complainers struggle to get through this traumatic time called Songkran.

I went out yesterday with my wife for the final day of Songkran and it was a fantastic day. Based on what I saw and the amount of people I cant ever see there will ever be a case for getting rid of Sogkran all together in Pattaya. There is no doubt there are some dangerous elements to Songkran but on the whole the last 10 days have seemed tame for Pattaya standards.

Taking both positives and negatives into account I am just interested to see (if Expats could decide) how long you would want Songkran to be in Pattaya.

Yeah if anyone ever wants to challenge Pattaya's Mayor Poster Boy they might consider running on the Pattaya Songkran Is Too dam_n Long Party ticket. I am sure that's an issue the Thai resident people could get behind!

"I am sure that's an issue the Thai resident people could get behind!"

Progress !!

Except I would add the words only for and replace could with to.

Today was my 2'nd day participating in Songkran festivities, and to be honest after what I witnessed today, I doubt I'll want to get involved on the big day...

I was on Beach Rd Soi 8 area, next to the BiB HQ @6pm enjoying myself with the water and 'mud', there was a commotion and a Thai attacking a Thai with a piece of wood. Suddenly another young Thai followed them with a gun, people started to scatter but he'll broke loose a few moments later when the gunman fired down one of the alleys between Soi 8 & 9. An elderly Falang sitting at a beer bar with his GF/wife was shot in the right forehead. The police took a surprisingly long time to show up (about 5 min) considering they were 200m from the shooting. The Falang (I don't think he was a tourist judging by the Thai woman he was with) was helped onto a motorbike and was sandwiched between the driver and another Thai. Almost immediately after they drove away another chase/assault with a Thai and young Falang turned into a mob attack but by now the police were arriving in large numbers so the scene ended quickly.

I hope the Falang is OK, there was some blood but he was able to walk fairly unaided, perhaps a graze or small caliber gun. Anyways, my flight home is on Saturday after 9 months here, and especially after today, I couldn't be more happy to leave with no plans on returning.

Hope that farang guy is ok.

Your experience there is going to play right into the hands of the Songkran moaners. When in truth that sort of thing happens all the time in Pattaya. Just unlucky timing and location.

Hope it doesn't put you off coming to Pattaya again.

Yeah I saw that group of police the other day early hours of the morning. Looked like they meant business. I just hope its not another fashionable stage that police and local politicians like to go through just to look serious. I hope they make it stick and not let people just pay their way out of it.

I am sceptical, not of the theory or principle but of the practice. The idea is great and should be implemented more but I fear it wont be done properly and will be subject to corruption and treated as more opportunity for revenue.

Great pics, I think the one with the monk looking over Pattaya beach is the most telling. Very interesting.

Got to be NY Pizza house.

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JSixpack

This is now 3 times you have not answered the simple questions I asked which will determine whether you are a visitor or Thai national, nor have you given me an example of a legal right you have as a visitor to this country to change policy in regards to Songkran.

Answering your questions would merely encourage your erroneous belief that they are relevant to the point I was making and that you entirely missed, as it seems you can't grasp that, yes, I'm only talking about opinions--as we do here, besides exchanging useful info such as on times, places, and coping strategies.

It's just better not to aid and assist illogic and irrationality when possible.

In next year's Songkran FAQ, though, I'll be sure to note your one major revelation to us all, one that we had never known before and badly needed, that farangs can't vote in Thai elections.

"yes, I'm only talking about opinions" it was a struggle but you got there, well done.

Bottom line and the thing that matters and will probably be the nail in the coffin is Songkran is here to stay, for a long long long time and there is not a single single thing you or any other moaning expat mates will ever be able to do about it no matter how long you have been here, no matter how much money you have or no matter how many so called rights you think have which of course you don't.

So while I note that there is alot of agreement on your point (of which im not surprised) I hope you can also note, it aint gonna change a thing..which is ofcourse what really matters.

lol

You should get a grip mate. This is not a thread intended to get anything done about Songkran - this is THE yearly whinge thread - so get lost and let us complain to our heart's content.

... and what makes you think nothing will change in the future? I predict you are wrong and one day the local authorities will stamp out this 9 day nonsense and restrict it to 3 days as it is in Bangkok and other areas. It wouldn't be difficult to do.

Sorry are you a mod ?? I thought it was only mods that can kick people out or tell them to get lost. I will give my opinion anywhere I want thanks matey.

Just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean I should go.

I agree it will change later but my point on this thread and what has been so painful to get through is if it does change it wont be because of us. Because we are visitors. It will be up to the Thais. Some people think they have this power. I have asked and challenged for evidence of these legal rights we have as aliens in this country and so far no takers.

As I said before the so called "expats with powers" in this town haven't even been able to stop jet ski scams which is something in anyone's eyes is wrong let alone stop or reduce a subject which is debatable.

As someone suggests later its mainly old folk that are moaners so perhaps progress is futile on this forum...lol

So ill give you your wish, ill leave you guys to complain about this awful, horrible 10 days you are having to go through and hopefully you can get it down to only 3 and then everyone will be happy. Oh and why dont you join the "post songkran" group that sixpack is going to set up for distressed expats, it could help you through this tough time......lol

I think it's mainly the old farangs who complain, Songkhran is for the young or young at heart, not the serial whiners on Internet forums.

I think your right there.

@

JSixpack

Again your whole argument is about whether you have the right to the opinion which I have never denied. You are really hung up on this opinion and view thing. I never said its not their legal right to have the opinion. I know there are many complainers out there and its totally their choice to do that but it wont make the slightest difference to the Thai government or any local branch of it because we are visitors and we should not expect that we have some control over it. The Thais will decide and not us because its their country.

This is now 3 times you have not answered the simple questions I asked which will determine whether you are a visitor or Thai national, nor have you given me an example of a legal right you have as a visitor to this country to change policy in regards to Songkran. Although looks like you may of at last conceded you don't. (slow but got there). I cant put my point any simpler than what I have said already, if you don't get it by now then you never will.

Maybe you can set up a group on or about the 19th April for all the "post Songkran syndrome" expats who have suffered so badly from this horrible experience that they must be going through. Being forced to go out around the beach sois and all the main areas where its at its worst and suffer the wrath of the water. Or actually why don't you go and see the PM and demand that the distressed expats of Pattaya are heard because we are westerners and we want everything the way we want it. Keep all the other vices in Pattaya that normal Thais don't do but please get rid of "Pattaya Songkran" because normal Thais don't do that and we like to cherry pick what we like and don't like and are sometimes very passionate about what normal Thais do when it matters to us !!! lol

I'm done, goodnight.

@JSixpack

So you couldnt answer my questions. So I take it your not a Thai national then ? and I take it your not eligible to vote ?

What rights do you have then ?? Tell me ?? I am so interested to know, infact after that brave speech on behalf of distressed expats who are obviously going through a tough period now with all this water, I am dying to know. Not moral or cheesy lines, I mean written in law, stone cold facts, tell me the rights you have in this country in regards to policy change as a alien. Come on, on this forum prove me wrong. This is your chance to shut me up. Not just words, show me facts if you are confident your opinion matters to the Thai government. Expats in Pattaya cant even influence getting rid or dealing with jet ski scams which are obviously wrong to any human being, let alone Songkran....lol

In regards to your reply to me, you obviously cannot read. I did not say everyone had to like Songkran and I did not say that you didn't have the right to an opinion I said you haven't got a legal right to change it or demand it. There is a difference. You said earlier why should we put up with it, I'm saying as a visitor you have no choice. Not opinion, it is fact. As you didn't answer my questions I have to assume you are a visitor.

Everything you have said above is about right to opinion and right to a view, it doesn't mean anything in Thailand as a Farang and you know it. Instead you seem to have gone on some crusade about right to opinion and being a victim of all things....lol. A victim, of some water...lol, OMG !! That was the bit that made me laugh when you did the victim example, almost looked like a copy and paste from somewhere .......next we will be having a topic about "post Songkran syndrome" for the poor victim expats of Pattaya who just couldnt stay indoors and just cant change their lives for 10 days of the year to allow for Songkran in a tourist city. The victims that are so bothered about Songkran and so bothered about " non normal Thai activity" but don't mind ignoring all the other non normal Thai things that go on here.

Bottom line and the thing that matters and will probably be the nail in the coffin is Songkran is here to stay, for a long long long time and there is not a single single thing you or any other moaning expat mates will ever be able to do about it no matter how long you have been here, no matter how much money you have or no matter how many so called rights you think have which of course you don't.

So while I note that there is alot of agreement on your point (of which im not surprised) I hope you can also note, it aint gonna change a thing..which is ofcourse what really matters.

lol

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"So you cant answer the question then....lol."

The troll always needs to get the last word, so go for it. I won't take the bait and I hope nobody else does either.

http://en.wikipedia....roll_(Internet)

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Well whether I am troll or not is for the admin staff to determine not anyone on here. Simply offering my point of view.

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"Well if people on here are so obsessed with things being the "normal Thai" way"

Throwing buckets of sewer water and white powder in the faces of people who clearly do not want to participate in the mayhem-- or trying to cause bike riders to crash their motorbikes, is clearly not the "normal Thai way", yet it exists for many days in Pattaya each year.

In any other culture around the world, this insanity would be met with strong opposition from law enforcement and ended in short order. Only in Pattaya . . .

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You are totally correct and what you have described is not the normal Thai. So I take it you want Pattaya to be normal Thai and everything that goes with it ? Or just Songkran ? Or maybe a few cherry picked things ? Tried to get a couple of people to answer this but no luck yet.

I think I answered your question ?

Pattaya will never ever be Thai, it is Thai because it's located in Thailand, but from the outside it isn't Thai. Ever heard of a Contradictio in terminis ?

Ok so I agree with you. So I think what you are saying is Pattaya is not normal Thai (as above) so non Thai activities happen (logical conlusion) but you just don't want this particular non thai activity to happen called Pattaya Songkran. Have I assumed correct ?

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"So I take it you want Pattaya to be normal Thai and everything that goes with it ? Or just Songkran ... ? Tried to get a couple of people to answer this but no luck yet."

That's because your question doesn't make any sense -- if you can't decipher the difference between normal civil behavior and respect for others-- and the insanity that occurs in Pattaya each year, no answer to your question would be suitable to you.

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I don't really see how the question is hard. Ill make it simpler. Do you want Pattaya to be like a normal Thai village or do you want it like it is now ? Or would like to choose some bits of it you like or dont like ? Sorry cant make it more simple than that.

So you cant answer the question then....lol.

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"Well if people on here are so obsessed with things being the "normal Thai" way"

Throwing buckets of sewer water and white powder in the faces of people who clearly do not want to participate in the mayhem-- or trying to cause bike riders to crash their motorbikes, is clearly not the "normal Thai way", yet it exists for many days in Pattaya each year.

In any other culture around the world, this insanity would be met with strong opposition from law enforcement and ended in short order. Only in Pattaya . . .

.

You are totally correct and what you have described is not the normal Thai. So I take it you want Pattaya to be normal Thai and everything that goes with it ? Or just Songkran ? Or maybe a few cherry picked things ? Tried to get a couple of people to answer this but no luck yet.

I don't think the issue with hating SongKran has anything to do with getting wet (We get wet every day in the shower (I hope so ), it has to do with the violence, the disrespect and people who try to do bodily harm, because they think they can during these insane couple of days.

Fair enough but those people are not in the majority.

Well if people on here are so obsessed with things being the "normal Thai" way I wonder if you guys would like everything else we love about Pattaya to become traditional Thai. We all know that would change alot around here. Any takers for a normal Thai life adhered to 100%, or are we just cherry picking what we want !!! Yeah thought so.

Unfortunately those people are in a majority on Soi 3,4,5,6,7,8.9.10.11,12, 13, 13/1, 13/2, WS, Soi Bukaow .

// start rant

Why don't people get it, Pattaya isn't Thailand, Pattaya is a surrogate City which caters to Foreigner because with out the Foreigners (Europeans, Americans, Russians, Japanese, Korean etc etc etc) this city wouldn't even exists.

Go and visit Nong Bua Lamphu or any other of the 74 Provinces (Minus Chonburi and Nong Bua Lamphu) to see what real Thailand is like and how they play Songkran over there

// rant over

I agree with the observation.

So can I take it from that you want Pattaya to be like normal Thai or you don't, or would you just like some things to be normal Thai but other things non normal Thai ?

And yes I have visited other provinces, plenty of people getting wet.