Songkran In Phuket

[taxin]

Now in Phuket Songkran normally only lasts one day where its complete mayhem, i.e. the day when the water cannons are out in force and the roads are gridlocked. Or at least it in the past few years this has been the case.

Does anyone know which day/date it lands on this year ? Some say Sat (12th), some say Sun (13th).

Anyone know for sure ?

[LivinginKata]

My Thai wife assures me it's the 13th April 2008.... But expect the mayhem to start 12th....

[taxin]

My Thai wife assures me it's the 13th April 2008.... But expect the mayhem to start 12th....

I do recall that you get a little bit of water antics on the day before, mostly kids and mis-informed tourists. On the other hand I dont think it was that bad that you could not go out without being soaked.

[Super Hans]

Lasted 3 full days last year and the evening before the first day as well.

[stevenl]

Lasted 3 full days last year and the evening before the first day as well.

Where is that? I live in Rawai and work in Kata, and in both places it is only 1 day, the 13th. I like Songkran, but 1 day is enough, so I'm happy with that.

[JonnyF]

Lasted 3 full days last year and the evening before the first day as well.

Where is that? I live in Rawai and work in Kata, and in both places it is only 1 day, the 13th. I like Songkran, but 1 day is enough, so I'm happy with that.

Patong was a full on 2 days last year, with a bit either side (by both Thai and tourists).

Personally I like the 2 days, but ideally I'd like absolutely nothing the day before or the day after just so everyone knows when they are fair game and when they can go about their business without getting soaked, ruining their mobile phones etc...

[chickencurry]

Now in Phuket Songkran normally only lasts one day where its complete mayhem, i.e. the day when the water cannons are out in force and the roads are gridlocked. Or at least it in the past few years this has been the case.

Does anyone know which day/date it lands on this year ? Some say Sat (12th), some say Sun (13th).

Anyone know for sure ?

Err, how gridlocked is gridlocked? Have to take some friends to the airport on the 13th and we are in the south of the island

[LivinginKata]

You should be OK on the main highways, but places like the Patong beachfront, Karon & Kata Villages will be completely grid locked. You might have a problem at Chalong Circle & village areas.

[slackula]

Last year I had tourists trying to rip the doors of my car open to soak me as I was driving home from work through Patong on the first day. The next morning the Mrs and I packed up and went to Krabi for a couple of nights; far more civilised and we plan to do the same this year. Songkran in Patong is a disgusting farce, makes Khao San road look like an oasis of tranquility.

/rant off

[taxin]

Now in Phuket Songkran normally only lasts one day where its complete mayhem, i.e. the day when the water cannons are out in force and the roads are gridlocked. Or at least it in the past few years this has been the case.

Does anyone know which day/date it lands on this year ? Some say Sat (12th), some say Sun (13th).

Anyone know for sure ?

Err, how gridlocked is gridlocked? Have to take some friends to the airport on the 13th and we are in the south of the island

Take them on the 12th and stay in a hotel for the night next to the airport ! Nah, shouldnt be that bad. But I would leave about 2 or 3 hours earlier to be on the safe side.

Same reason for me asking, im bailing out of here for Songkran too and needed to make sure I wasnt going the airport on the day of gridlock !

Last year a friend of mine missed his flight, took 4 hours to get to the airport, turned back when he was only 6 or 7 km's from the airport knowing he would not have got on the flight.

Indeed, 90% of the West Coast population from Kamala to Rawai turn into crazed psychopaths ! As someone mentioned, make sure your car doors are locked when driving around these places. Tourists are the worse of them all.

2 years ago I got a bucket of water thrown at me in the car, the water wasnt the problem, it was the big block of ice in the bucket weighing about a kilo that was the problem. Luckily it missed the window but left a nasty dent in the door !

Last year a guy I know spent the last half of his holiday in bandages. Similar thing. On a rented motorbike, bucket full of ice thrown at the person in front of him, person stopped, he hit the breaks and ended up spread across the road. The tourists (and Thais) at the side of the road thought is was highly amusing.