Songkran 2008 The Carnage Has Begun

[CHdiver]

Here's a picture from a pattayapeople latest edition. I'm also trying to grin and bear it

but this is exactly the reason this festival has become unpleasant for some.

Get one of those aimed straight at your face from the front when you're travelling along at around 40 km/h on a motorcycle and fun of Songkran fades away fast. Even from the side it's quite unpleasant having high pressure water aimed directly at your ears.

Af a proper Helmet and there is no big problem. But with the cheap Helmets covering barely your top of the skull you may be not so lucky. With the cheapos; you may find out when you fall off the bike that tar will damage and hurt much more than a little bit of water. Stay safe all year around and have a proper (best would be a full face) Helmet.

[raro]

it is not just the water in the eyes or ears. Even with a full face helmet the shock of an ambush attack may make you loose control and cause an accident.

I was once hit with a bucket of water riding a bike at about 80 kmph. I could not see anything for 2 or 3 seconds and you travel a long distance in this short time!

[Jingthing]

Is Sunday the 20th a dry day, or still a madness day? In other words, is it finally over here on the 19th?

[Mobi]

Is Sunday the 20th a dry day, or still a madness day? In other words, is it finally over here on the 19th?

My guess is that it will continue through to Sunday evening.

Next Monday things should be back to normal.

[gmac]

I went with my parents to Pattaya on 13th. My parents are over 60. Everyone on this forum is very negative about songkran in Pattaya, but my parents and I enjoyed it. We didn't throw water ourself, but we were completely wet. Before, I never left home on Songkran. What I saw was crazy.

I can imagine that the people living there get bored of it after the first day, but I guess this is the toll of living in a tourist city.

Not only farang were behaving in a way that is rude (on other days) but also the Thai bargirls were throwing ice water and doing other things that I don't dare to describe here. Most people in the pick-up trucks throwing water were Thai, not farang. Impolite farangs could be found in the bar-areas, but I think if you want to go there you'll know what you'll get and who you'll meet.

Pattaya is not a normal city. Everything is organized to attract a certain kind of people. Many Thai people in Pattaya are not "standard Thai" and many farang in Pattaya are not "standard farang". So, you can't expect to a very "traditional" songkran in Pattaya.

I think you will find that Pattaya is now trying to encourage a better class of tourist, the excesses of Songkran are one more reason for them not to come!

[BROWNY]

I think you will find that Pattaya is now trying to encourage a better class of tourist, the excesses of Songkran are one more reason for them not to come!

What ? Russians ?

Can't wait for them to join in the water throwing - WWIII here we come

[tropo]

Af a proper Helmet and there is no big problem. But with the cheap Helmets covering barely your top of the skull you may be not so lucky. With the cheapos; you may find out when you fall off the bike that tar will damage and hurt much more than a little bit of water. Stay safe all year around and have a proper (best would be a full face) Helmet.

So it's ok for people to spray motorcyclists in the face with high pressure water guns. It's the motorcyclists' fault for not wearing full face helmets.

99.9% of motorcyclists in Pattaya don't wear full face helmets. During Songkran a large percentage of motorcyclists don't wear helmets. Let's just spray them all in the face in the hope that the survivors will go out and purchase full face helmets.

Full face helmets are impracticle for use around town on a scooter. Full face helmets are useful for people riding faster on highways where wind speed is a major factor. Ideally if a person wants to be safe they should wear a full leather riding suit with padding, gloves and full motorcycle boots. Better still, don't ride motorcycles.

Edited April 17, 2008 by tropo

[raro]

Full face helmets are impracticle for use around town on a scooter. Full face helmets are useful for people riding faster on highways where wind speed is a major factor. Ideally if a person wants to be safe they should wear a full leather riding suit with padding, gloves and full motorcycle boots. Better still, don't ride motorcycles.

As much as I agree on the last two sentences in your post, I disagree with the second one. Have you ever seen a picture of someone landing on the chin after an accident? I have and I wear full face helmets since. Ok, I also agree that they are a bit unpractical and yes, it gets hot underneath them....

[CHdiver]

Af a proper Helmet and there is no big problem. But with the cheap Helmets covering barely your top of the skull you may be not so lucky. With the cheapos; you may find out when you fall off the bike that tar will damage and hurt much more than a little bit of water. Stay safe all year around and have a proper (best would be a full face) Helmet.

So it's ok for people to spray motorcyclists in the face with high pressure water guns. It's the motorcyclists' fault for not wearing full face helmets.

99.9% of motorcyclists in Pattaya don't wear full face helmets. During Songkran a large percentage of motorcyclists don't wear helmets. Let's just spray them all in the face in the hope that the survivors will go out and purchase full face helmets.

Full face helmets are impracticle for use around town on a scooter. Full face helmets are useful for people riding faster on highways where wind speed is a major factor. Ideally if a person wants to be safe they should wear a full leather riding suit with padding, gloves and full motorcycle boots. Better still, don't ride motorcycles.

Where did I say that? No, I don't think it's good. But you can't prefent it. So you should take precautions by yourself. Btw. even a helmet with visor will safe you from water (and Insects the rest of the year). A good one cost you around 700 Baht. They still don't protect your face if you fall of your scooter doing 40 km/h or more. The time beeing a handsome man after you rubbed of your skin may be over in funtown after that happens.

Wish you a happy and safe Songkran

[tropo]

The time beeing a handsome man after you rubbed of your skin may be over in funtown after that happens.

Could you please translate this sentence into English.

[Ulysses G.]

The time beeing a handsome man after you rubbed of your skin may be over in funtown after that happens.

Could you please translate this sentence into English.

If you fall off of your scooter doing 40 km/h or more and land on your face, you will no longer be called handsome man by BGs when walking around Pattaya.

[sweetchariot]

Well I was laid up sick for 4 days with some kind of fever - it's OK no violins required - then had to do a border run yesterday, so have not been out to play at all yet.

I now have 2 days to fit a week of partying into - look out Pattaya, here I come!!

[tropo]

*deleted* (duplicate post)

Edited April 19, 2008 by tropo

[tropo]

The time beeing a handsome man after you rubbed of your skin may be over in funtown after that happens.

Could you please translate this sentence into English.

If you fall off of your scooter doing 40 km/h or more and land on your face, you will no longer be called handsome man by BGs when walking around Pattaya.

LOL. Since when has the face had anything to do with what is considered handsome by BGs in Pattaya.

Either way, I don't socialise with the local BG's so it won't matter.

[4.real]

The time beeing a handsome man after you rubbed of your skin may be over in funtown after that happens.

Could you please translate this sentence into English.

If you fall off of your scooter doing 40 km/h or more and land on your face, you will no longer be called handsome man by BGs when walking around Pattaya.

I guess you are new to Pattaya district.........

[NanLaew]

I think you will find that Pattaya is now trying to encourage a better class of tourist, the excesses of Songkran are one more reason for them not to come!

What ? Russians ?

Yeah Russians and they have loads more money to burn and are investing much more here than you think. We aren't talking about renting rooms at Niran condo either.