songkran

[oldwelshman]

Ok, what dates and best places/events for 2018 Songkran in CM?

I am getting married 7th and going to take grown up kids to CM from 8th to 18 april.

Ideas welcome.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Google is your friend

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/custom.html?year=2018&country=68&cols=3&hol=4194361&df=1

 

Regards,

 

Joe

[CMBob]

Songkran (meaning the water war) will be held April 13th-15th here in CM (with a little bit of water tossing in a few areas on the evening of the 12th).  Perhaps you should clarify your question as I can't figure out if you're asking where to go to get into the heaviest part of the water war, where to go to get away from it, or if you're asking about other things to see/do in the CM area.

[oldwelshman]

2 hours ago, CMBob said:

Songkran (meaning the water war) will be held April 13th-15th here in CM (with a little bit of water tossing in a few areas on the evening of the 12th).  Perhaps you should clarify your question as I can't figure out if you're asking where to go to get into the heaviest part of the water war, where to go to get away from it, or if you're asking about other things to see/do in the CM area.

I have been to CM before so probably will go to  doi suthep and doi inthanon for waterfalls etc. Any other waterfalls of interest with not such a trek in jungle would be good lol. For Songkran , best places to go for the fun of being part of it and to see parades best etc.

Also interested to visit other cultural places of interest.

Been to Pattaya for Songkran before its mad there :-)

[oldwelshman]

5 hours ago, Shoeless Joe said:

Google is your friend

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/custom.html?year=2018&country=68&cols=3&hol=4194361&df=1

 

Regards,

 

Joe

Thanks, whats the difference between Songkran on the 1st three days and Songkran observed on the rest? lol

[CMBob]

23 minutes ago, oldwelshman said:

Thanks, whats the difference between Songkran on the 1st three days and Songkran observed on the rest? lol

You can pretty much expect all the water tossing in town will be concluded on the 15th.  In other areas of northern Thailand, some minor water tossing will happen here and there for the next few  days.  As you indicated you've been in Pattaya for Songkran before, you're aware that the water war there lasts 3-4 days longer (it's different in different areas, e.g.,  in Hua Hin it only occurs for one day with a minor bit of water tossing the night before).

In CM, just about anywhere around the entire moat is a good location for really getting into the water war mix....with the east side including the Thaphae Gate area usually being the craziest.  There's a somewhat small opening ceremony at the 3 Kings monument usually about 8AM on the first main day (13th) of the festival and the only "parade" I know about is one which usually heads from just east of Nawarat Bridge to Wat Pra Singh in the early afternoon of the first main day.   Sometimes times/locations change a little.

About the middle of March, you ought to be able to find a schedule of events online....some are in English and will list a detailed schedule for anything you might want to see. 

Edited November 6, 2017 by CMBob

[WinnieTheKhwai]

 

Hi,

 

A couple days before the event the official schedule will be available that will show all the cultural events, most of which take place in the morning on the 13th, 14th and 15th.   Also every temple will have people making merit especially in the morning hours. 

And then the afternoon is for the water related festivities: anywhere along the city moat is a good place, but it can also be fun (if a little raunchier) in tourist bar areas down from Thapae Gate and around the corner on Loy Kroh.  

 

It doesn't require a lot of planning frankly, just show up with a good mood; any kind of water-hurling equipment can be bought right there along the moat.   Do buy sun block, it's insane how burnt you can get even in unusual places (feet, ears, etc.)

 

BTW I think Doi Inthanon isn't great in April: it gets very dry so there's not a lot of water (if any) at many of the waterfalls.   Ob Khan National Park is a good tip though, and some local Songkran celebrations may be going on there as well, and without idiot tourists. 

 

 

[oldwelshman]

Thanks for tips. I was thinking april may be too hot for the falls, last time I went it was June. Will read up and plan as usual as my kids too lazy and expect me to do it :-)