How come they don't understand that week-long water throwing is actually bad for business?

[Gottfrid]

11 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

 

I have my opinions and have every right to freely express them, whether some clueless farangs like it or not.

Yes, you have. You also have the right to exit, instead of constantly complaining.

[Gottfrid]

11 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

 

But nowhere one week! Which is total madness

Ok, if you don´t like it. As it´s designed for tourist areas, and they like it. You just simple have to move out to the country side. Otherwise you can agree to live with it or leave!

[jimmybcool]

13 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

You must be a newbie. You certainly know nothing about the Thais to speak of, if you don't understand why Pattaya is the way it is.

If you had been elsewhere in LOS during Songkran you'd know that it's like that all over, just not as long as in Pattaya.

 

There is more to life for Thais than profit, which is a hard concept for capitalists, I know.

 

I don't agree it is like Pattaya elsewhere.  Visiting areas in the Isaan district or anywhere large numbers of young drunk foreigners don't frequent and Songkran is a fun event.  With respect and no one is out to nail you and knock you off a motorbike with a bucket of ice water.  They restrict where and what hours the water play occurs and it is fewer days everywhere else.  In Pattaya large groups of western young men (ahem) are not out celebrating a holiday.  They are <deleted> trying to piss someone off as they get some kick out of it. 

 

Pattaya needs to crack down and cut back the number of days it is allowed.  They also need to define specific areas of play and others NOT play.  I doubt this part can be defined or enforced but it would help.  And it would help of they arrested <deleted> that intentionally try to knock motorbike riders off in traffic. 

 

Songkran is a blast - for 2-3 days.  I have participated in it and had fun.  I lived on Soi 13 in Pattaya and took part in several years of it at the junction of Second Road.  A hot spot for sure.  But it gets tiring when you can't bring home groceries without some drunken lout trying to soak you and the bag of food you have. 

 

If Pattaya does nothing else it should reduce the holiday to 4 days or less.  But, whatever.  When I lived there my pals and I just took a golf holiday away from Pattaya.  Where there were no drunken louts from foreign lands.

[Jeff the Chef]

Never been in Pattaya for Songkran, but out here in the sticks its the best 3 days of the year, all the kids get well excited, it reminds me of my kids when they still believed in Father Xmas.

I can't jump in and out of the pick-up so easily but I get strapped in with at least 3 water guns and one of the young ones loading up for Papa, 2 big blue barrels strapped to big sons D Max, last year they got filled 4 times at the local fire station, great fun.

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

There is more to life for Thais than profit, which is a hard concept for capitalists, I know.

That's hard to believe listening to the comments they make. I often wonder if Songkran, on the whole, is a money maker, a loss, or simply a holiday they enjoy at whatever cost. The hotels will certainly be full, lots of travel expenses as inter-province buses all will be full with extra services running. My Mrs is filling up cold boxes with various foodstuffs to take to the village.....lots of alcohol gets consumed.... 

Sure, some grumpy Westerners head off to other places to escape it all, and some like me go cave man! But it all looks like spend spend in Pattaya!

[ThreeCardMonte]

This is the first year I decided to leave Thailand during Songkran .  Actually the entire month of April.

 

One of my better decisions.

 

[fredwiggy]

11 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I am shocked.

You really are a guy with special talents. 

But again, you wouldn't know this because you don't know me.

[Ralf001]

7 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

  But it gets tiring when you can't bring home groceries without some drunken lout trying to soak you and the bag of food you have. 

 

 

Whats stopping you from going grocery shopping early in the day before it all kicks off again ?

[JoseThailand]

15 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Whats stopping you from going grocery shopping early in the day before it all kicks off again ?

 

Because some mfckers will be out there with water guns

[Ralf001]

Just now, JoseThailand said:

 

Because some mfckers will be out there with water guns

 

very very few... but I guess you are one of those that will always cry about something.

[jimmybcool]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Whats stopping you from going grocery shopping early in the day before it all kicks off again ?

 

They are out there ALL DAY.  The grocery store opens at about 10 AM and they are already on the corner. 

[quake]

22 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

When people get soaked in water, they don't go into restaurants, bars or clubs. And many avoid going out altogether! Either way, businesses lose a lot of money.

 

How is it possible to be so stupid and not understand this?

 

Do you have a Keep off the Grass

and a NO ball games signs.

Let them have there fun,  victor.

 

[mikebell]

22 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Their country, their holiday, if you dont want to be drenched, stay away from the street parties

Exactly the point of the opening post.  For all the excitement among the farang boys who flock here for what is essentially a wet T-shirt competition, there are thousands who seek holidays away; thousands who stay in to avoid having their vehicles' windscreens/bodies daubed with flour paste; thousands who forsake their local restaurants rather than eat in wet clothes.  It would not be so bad if it only lasted for the official 3 days but places like Pattaya can make it last for a fortnight.

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Exactly the point of the opening post.  For all the excitement among the farang boys who flock here for what is essentially a wet T-shirt competition, there are thousands who seek holidays away; thousands who stay in to avoid having their vehicles' windscreens/bodies daubed with flour paste; thousands who forsake their local restaurants rather than eat in wet clothes.  It would not be so bad if it only lasted for the official 3 days but places like Pattaya can make it last for a fortnight.

I dont understand the angst. Thats how they roll. Stay home, or dont go to Thailand or find an alternative.

 

I dont go to Pamplona when the bulls are running

[BritManToo]

11 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

a blast - for 2-3 days.  I have participated in it and had fun.  I lived on Soi 13 in Pattaya and took part in several years of it at the junction of Second Road.  A hot spot for sure.  But it gets tiring when you can't bring home groceries without some drunken lout trying to soak you and the bag of food you have. 

Most stores have delivery,

7-11, Makro, Pizza co, just stay in and get your food delivered.

[kinyara]

Definately a case of, " Not the real Thailand ", however the authorities have decided for Pattaya a week long tourist orientated festival benefits the city overall. At least it's concentrated mainly in the worst bar orientated areas of Central Pattaya. Buakow, 6, 7 & 8.  I find it hard to believe that any tourist would choose to come here if they weren't prepared to be participants. 

 

Let the tourists have their fun. If you live here and your life revolves around those areas such that you can't put it on hold for a few days a year if it bothers you then I think you've got bigger problems than Songkran That or you're just a poor planner with limited interests or imagination.

 

If you need to go into Central Pattaya it's one of the few weeks left where having a car is actually an advantage and dare I say enjoyable. 

 

[KannikaP]

13 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

As it´s designed for tourist areas, and they like it.

Song Kran was NOT designed for tourists, it is an old Thai tradition which has been bastardized by stupid tourists/expats, into what it is these days, a horrible week.

[Gottfrid]

44 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Song Kran was NOT designed for tourists, it is an old Thai tradition which has been bastardized by stupid tourists/expats, into what it is these days, a horrible week.

Oh dear! I never posted that Song Kran was designed for tourists. Why do you have to bend everything? I am also very aware of how to celebrate a traditional Song Kran sprinkling water of parents and grand parents.

I was referring to the way it is played in the tourist cities, where it today is designed for tourism as an attraction. Also don´t start saying that tourists developed what you call bastardized version. The Thais have during many years developed this as a tourist attraction and also a fun event for themselves.

Sounds to me that you are one of the complainers that can handle things as they are here in Thailand. Better stay inside now, and lock your door for the holydays. 🤣

[KannikaP]

15 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Oh dear! I never posted that Song Kran was designed for tourists. Why do you have to bend everything? I am also very aware of how to celebrate a traditional Song Kran sprinkling water of parents and grand parents.

I was referring to the way it is played in the tourist cities, where it today is designed for tourism as an attraction. Also don´t start saying that tourists developed what you call bastardized version. The Thais have during many years developed this as a tourist attraction and also a fun event for themselves.

Sounds to me that you are one of the complainers that can handle things as they are here in Thailand. Better stay inside now, and lock your door for the holydays. 🤣

Quote from you...............As it´s designed for tourist areas, and they like it

[Gottfrid]

30 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Quote from you...............As it´s designed for tourist areas, and they like it

Yes, exactly. As IT is designed for tourist areas. Mean that it is specially designed for tourist areas. meaning it is done different in those areas.

Did you get it this time? Stop with with your nonsense and word-bending now. It´s pathetic!

[kingstonkid]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:53 AM, JoseThailand said:

 

Bars for example. Nobody forces them to engage in this madness and put barrels with water at their bars. But they seem to like to lose a week's profit.

 

Most don't lose profit because they either charge for the water or you have to buy a drink.  I don't remember seeing any less people in bars or walking street.  Same for nana lots of people lots of drinking.

 

Most bars accept it as the cost of doing business 

[KannikaP]

16 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, exactly. As IT is designed for tourist areas. Mean that it is specially designed for tourist areas. meaning it is done different in those areas.

Did you get it this time? Stop with with your nonsense and word-bending now. It´s pathetic!

No word-bending intended. 

So Song Kran is a Thai New Year celebration, celebrated differently in tourist areas, mostly by stupid tourists, encouraged by stupid Thai, usually girls. Am I correct please?

[Ralf001]

6 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

 

They are out there ALL DAY.  The grocery store opens at about 10 AM and they are already on the corner. 

 

No they are not out there ALL DAY .... I ride my bike every morning when not at work and meet friends on beach road for a coffee, this is typicaly around 8am.

 

Which grocery store opens at 10am?

 

[fulhamster]

On 4/10/2025 at 10:15 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Yes it is stupid, massage shops for example are dead quiet for Songkran, who wants to get a massage wet.

At most massage shops you usually have a shower before and after. So no problem arriving wet

[scubascuba3]

37 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

At most massage shops you usually have a shower before and after. So no problem arriving wet

wet clothes no problem for you, ok

[trainman34014]

On 4/10/2025 at 10:38 AM, tomazbodner said:

Thais are waiting the whole year for these few days when they can behave like 5 year old children.

 

Suggestion to make it only one day for the sake of not losing business is like saying scrap the Christmas and New Year holidays as they are bad for business. Imagine how much money bars and alcohol shops could make during that days of closures... And how much money is lost when people travel other places to spend money... Maybe should ban travel altogether so people spend money at home?

 

Net effect of Songkran is positive and there are loads of childish foreigners flying into Thailand to join the fighting... in fact I think foreigners are behaving far worse than Thais when it comes to water games.

 

But listen, this is Thailand and is ran by Thai people. They decide what they want to do and Songkran, a Thai New Year, is deeply engraved into their culture. I admit that I hate this week enough that I get to airport and get the hell out of here just before splashing starts... but that's not because of Songkran itself - which is a very gentle affair of washing away the bad of the past year, but because of what it turned to. There's a massive difference between traditional songkran, celebrated at home, or pouring fragnant water over someone's hands, wishing them good luck, and having a bucket of water emptied on you from a passing pickup.

 

So maybe it's not Songkran that should be shortened or removed, but the water wars limited to areas where those "young at heart" can go and play Russians and Ukrainians.

A lot that i meet act like 5 year old Children every day !

[1FinickyOne]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:46 AM, JoseThailand said:

When people get soaked in water, they don't go into restaurants, bars or clubs. And many avoid going out altogether! Either way, businesses lose a lot of money.

 

How is it possible to be so stupid and not understand this?

what part of 'fun' and 'tradition' do you ont understand? Why do you eat or sleep or spend time with your family when you could be working? 

[Dionigi]

Not everybody worships money as their god

[Andycoops]

Utter bull<deleted>.

 

Alot of bars make 3 or 4 months money in the Songkran holidays especially in places like Pattaya.

[ujayujay]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:46 AM, JoseThailand said:

When people get soaked in water, they don't go into restaurants, bars or clubs. And many avoid going out altogether! Either way, businesses lose a lot of money.

 

How is it possible to be so stupid and not understand this?

How is it possible to be so stupid and not understand: Its Songkran

Easy.....If you don't like this time...just go home😉