Songkranning Farrangs

[MassivePuffin]

Just a warning, there are already some excited farrang throwing water around already. I got hit by a premature bucket as I was riding my motorbike past the end of loy kroh. Also seen a few riding round on motorbikes with water pistols.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

First skirmishes..! But I'll wait until Tuesday. [Keeps car doors and windows shut. ]

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun MassivePuffin,

This is almost certainly a case of premature ejaculation as a compensation for erectile dysfunction: we would hypothesize it will occur with a frequency correlated to increasing size of motorcycle engine, but a rigorous study would demand those not on motorcycle, i.e., those on-sidewalks only, be carefully studied in contrast with those on motorcycle, as well as control groups of those on-sidewalk farangs not-tossing, and those on motorcycles not tossing.

best, ~o:37;

Edited April 10, 2011 by orang37

[Ulysses G.]

There were a small number of children playing at various places in the downtown area this afternoon. I predict that tomorrow afternoon it will start in earnest.

[lannarebirth]

It's those poor bastards on the motorcycles I feel most sorry for. I like Songkran and while i get no thrill at all from throwing water on someone else it doesn't bother me at all (on the appropriate days) if someone wants to douse me. I know exactly what I'm getting in for when I venture out.

Like I say it's the motorcyclists I feel for the most. Couple years ago I saw a girl doing about 50kph get hit with a bucketful. Must have been about 4-5 kgs. Knocked her off her motorcy, at speed while a huge dumptruck with trailer just behind her slammed on its brakes. It jackknifed of course and when it came to rest it was about ameter from her prostate body and taking up 3 lanes of traffic and the median. So have fun everyone but remeber where motocy are concerned, a sprinkle is as good as a deluge.

[Semper]

there are already some excited farrang throwing water around already

Yes, they are the worst. Should be banned from CM.

[murrinman]

its being going on in sleepy ban nar kaew for twos already

[elektrified]

The BG's on Loi Kroh are already soaking people with their water guns as they drive by. I was able to get the window up just in time.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Like I say it's the motorcyclists I feel for the most. Couple years ago I saw a girl doing about 50kph get hit with a bucketful. Must have been about 4-5 kgs. Knocked her off her motorcy, at speed while a huge dumptruck with trailer just behind her slammed on its brakes. It jackknifed of course and when it came to rest it was about ameter from her prostate body and taking up 3 lanes of traffic and the median. So have fun everyone but remeber where motocy are concerned, a sprinkle is as good as a deluge.

I'm a huge Songkran fan, but stopped even sprinkling motorcycles. (Unless this is around the moat with everyone joining in and going at walking pace). But anywhere else I don't even sprinkle, and also important: don't even threaten. A popular thing is to 'threaten' with an empty bucket, which seems harmless but actually isn't when done on a main road, towards a motorcyclist just trying to get somewhere. Even the empty bucket threat will easily cause the motorcycle rider to avoid & weave into the other lane, which has all kinds of undesirable consequences. (Or even if the motorcyclist is smart enough to prefer getting wet over risking an accident, during the 'threat' you are stil capturing his/her attention and taking attention away from where it should be while riding. )

I'm going to be experiencing my 16th Songkran, and if I find myself in the back of a truck anywhere near a motorcyclist I'll be doing a polite wave to let them know I'll leave them alone, and also no 'threat' or any kind of water engagement however small. Traffic is traffic, and is dangerous enough as it is. Around the moat on the main Songkran days in the afternoon then it's not traffic anymore, then it's celebration and everything is fine there. Typically, it's easy enough to see who is participating in the celebration, and who is just trying to get somewhere.

Edited April 10, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[alexpoker]

Like I say it's the motorcyclists I feel for the most. Couple years ago I saw a girl doing about 50kph get hit with a bucketful. Must have been about 4-5 kgs. Knocked her off her motorcy, at speed while a huge dumptruck with trailer just behind her slammed on its brakes. It jackknifed of course and when it came to rest it was about ameter from her prostate body and taking up 3 lanes of traffic and the median. So have fun everyone but remeber where motocy are concerned, a sprinkle is as good as a deluge.

I'm a huge Songkran fan, but stopped even sprinkling motorcycles. (Unless this is around the moat with everyone joining in and going at walking pace). But anywhere else I don't even sprinkle, and also important: don't even threaten. A popular thing is to 'threaten' with an empty bucket, which seems harmless but actually isn't when done on a main road, towards a motorcyclist just trying to get somewhere. Even the empty bucket threat will easily cause the motorcycle rider to avoid & weave into the other lane, which has all kinds of undesirable consequences. (Or even if the motorcyclist is smart enough to prefer getting wet over risking an accident, during the 'threat' you are stil capturing his/her attention and taking attention away from where it should be while riding. )

I'm going to be experiencing my 16th Songkran, and if I find myself in the back of a truck anywhere near a motorcyclist I'll be doing a polite wave to let them know I'll leave them alone, and also no 'threat' or any kind of water engagement however small. Traffic is traffic, and is dangerous enough as it is. Around the moat on the main Songkran days in the afternoon then it's not traffic anymore, then it's celebration and everything is fine there. Typically, it's easy enough to see who is participating in the celebration, and who is just trying to get somewhere.

Every single person celebrating Songkran should adopt this attitude.

Its however going to be my first songkran ever, so really looking forward to all the fun and games

[jackr]

Couple years ago I saw a girl doing about 50kph get hit with a bucketful. Must have been about 4-5 kgs. Knocked her off her motorcy

Unfortunately, it seems this is what many here ultimately try to achieve. Having lived in the south, it's slightly disconcerting to see how much effort some of these no-brain neanderthals put into flinging bucketloads at bikes up this way.

[james24]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun MassivePuffin,

This is almost certainly a case of premature ejaculation as a compensation for erectile dysfunction: we would hypothesize it will occur with a frequency correlated to increasing size of motorcycle engine, but a rigorous study would demand those not on motorcycle, i.e., those on-sidewalks only, be carefully studied in contrast with those on motorcycle, as well as control groups of those on-sidewalk farangs not-tossing, and those on motorcycles not tossing.

best, ~o:37;

lol well observed

[SadieMBeagle]

Like I say it's the motorcyclists I feel for the most. Couple years ago I saw a girl doing about 50kph get hit with a bucketful. Must have been about 4-5 kgs. Knocked her off her motorcy, at speed while a huge dumptruck with trailer just behind her slammed on its brakes. It jackknifed of course and when it came to rest it was about ameter from her prostate body and taking up 3 lanes of traffic and the median. So have fun everyone but remeber where motocy are concerned, a sprinkle is as good as a deluge.

Well, it is best to slow waaaaay down when the water throwers are near. Last year was my first Songkran, and I was fine on my motorbike. If you slow down (practically stop!) for the water throwers, they are usually very gentle with you. Play along! Also, I'm not sure where in town you saw this girl going so fast, but anywhere near/inside the moat I wouldn't go more than 20/30 kph, especially if someone's out there with a bucket. Not to mention, the traffic jams were so bad, you can't even go any faster than that anyway.

Have fun and be safe!

[lannarebirth]

Like I say it's the motorcyclists I feel for the most. Couple years ago I saw a girl doing about 50kph get hit with a bucketful. Must have been about 4-5 kgs. Knocked her off her motorcy, at speed while a huge dumptruck with trailer just behind her slammed on its brakes. It jackknifed of course and when it came to rest it was about ameter from her prostate body and taking up 3 lanes of traffic and the median. So have fun everyone but remeber where motocy are concerned, a sprinkle is as good as a deluge.

Well, it is best to slow waaaaay down when the water throwers are near. Last year was my first Songkran, and I was fine on my motorbike. If you slow down (practically stop!) for the water throwers, they are usually very gentle with you. Play along! Also, I'm not sure where in town you saw this girl going so fast, but anywhere near/inside the moat I wouldn't go more than 20/30 kph, especially if someone's out there with a bucket. Not to mention, the traffic jams were so bad, you can't even go any faster than that anyway.

Have fun and be safe!

I think you're talking about the roads inside the Chiang Mai urban area. Traffic barely even moves there so its not an issue. I'm talking about out on the main roads. You can't slow down for people who want to throw water at you or the dumptruck or bus behind you will run over you.

[Yuu_CM]

Seeing young girls on bikes getting hit in the face by buckets of ice water and then crash, just insanity.

Firstly, that anyone is stupid enough to ride a bike at this time. Secondly, that anyone is stupid enough to hit young people especially in the face while riding a motor bike.

Crazy country at times!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

If it was normal I wouldn't want to live here. Could have stayed at home if I wanted sane mediocrity.

[BB1955]

I just left the moat a hour or so ago. Mostly small kids playing and being very considerate I was on a scooter and they didnt even try to get me while I was moving . Some farrangs outside a bar did try and got me but was ok I was prepared .. Im sure by tommorow anyone and anything will be fair game . My concern is not the area around the moat its the ride back down 108 to get home ...... I did see some people setting up on the south bound side .. Oh well just becarful ......<br><br> Edited April 11, 2011 by BB1955