Songkran: Up & Running

[Greenside]

It appears that the "festivities" always seem to get under way a full half day early at Thapae Gate and, despite the rather dull weather, today was no exception. The usual mix of kids (that one below can't be more than about 12, can he?) going round and round the block, crazy families tempting fate by bringing the baby along with the rest of the children and TuK Tuk drivers bringing unsuspecting tourists through the gauntlet on their way to the airport or bus station. Everything packed up nicely in the rucksack and sploosh - a nice damp 14 hours to Ubon in freezing aircon without a change of clothes. You've got to laugh... well, maybe not.

The beer belly brigade was in attendance too, showing their tatts off to the crowd and competing to see who could fling a bucket of water with the most venom. The upside of this must be that the British National Party and other similar right wing groups around the world are presumably having a quiet time, having generously exported their riff-raff to Thailand for the season.

Plenty of people really were having a good time although passing an ambulance attending what looked like a serious traffic accident across from the Adventure Hotel in Nong Hoi was a sad reminder that we should all Take Care Out There.

More pictures here

[uptheos]

"The beer belly brigade was in attendance too, showing their tatts off to the crowd and competing to see who could fling a bucket of water with the most venom. The upside of this must be that the British National Party and other similar right wing groups around the world are presumably having a quiet time, having generously exported their riff-raff to Thailand for the season".

Love it

[Greenside]

While dodging the above mentioned venomous bucket or two this afternoon, I was fantasing that the Powers That Be might let us run a Talk Dork Of The Town thread. I've got the pictures...

[appropriate]

How many dead there so far?

< or > than 50?

[lannarebirth]

Thanks Greenside. You and Kan Win Get the BEST Songkran pics. Just love'em.

[getgoin]

The Duke's an Loco Elvis will have a shophouse across the moat from Mike's burgers with food and sausage sandwiches, burgers and pizza starting on the 12th.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

How many dead there so far?

< or > than 50?

Zero. You are (perhaps deliberately) confusing the main holiday traffic statistics with a festival celebration.

(Almost all deaths occur on main highways, at night, under influence of alcohol. Nowhere near the festival area where the party rages all day. )

[kjhbigv]

Great pics as always, keep them coming.

[jackr]

All good fun 'n all that but too early. Should be on the 13th and 13th only. Bang anyone up who dares to fling water outside this date, especially farangs.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

No, it should not be 13 only.

I was on the Thai Ministry of Culture website and there it was explained that the 12th April was added a couple decades ago, with Songkran lasting 12-13-14. Then a little more recently this shifted to 13-14-15. However in the minds of people (as any casual observation will tell you this afternoon), 12 is still very much a party day in Chiang Mai.

Songkran has always been a wild celebration. Typical case of either loving it or leaving it.

[Ulysses G.]

I am not Songkran-phobic, but two days should be enough for anybody (although I would prefer just one).

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I'm planning on FOUR days, but with varying focus. Today is 'sneak out and pretend I'm in the office day' to get an additional day in. Tomorrow will be family day. Then Thursday will be out-with-the-Mrs day, which may even last into the evening for some drinks. She should be out for the count on Friday, which will be 'going-out-with-a-bang' day. One of these days I need to fit in driving around town in a pick-up.

Then recover during the weekend and off to Pattaya for their main celebration on 18-19th.

So with some planning you can make it last damned near a week.

[thaimiller]

Respect to WTK Ive just got today and tomorrow then I fly to Europe, wish I could have a few more days though, I'll just have to go 110% for the next 2 days starting in 2 hours time.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

That's an excellent point; many people who complain saying it should be just 1 day may not have daily commitments; for Thai people many people will have work to do on at least some of the days. Having it last 3 days ensures that everyone can get at least a day in.

[SadieMBeagle]

I'm planning on FOUR days, but with varying focus. Today is 'sneak out and pretend I'm in the office day' to get an additional day in. Tomorrow will be family day. Then Thursday will be out-with-the-Mrs day, which may even last into the evening for some drinks. She should be out for the count on Friday, which will be 'going-out-with-a-bang' day. One of these days I need to fit in driving around town in a pick-up.

Then recover during the weekend and off to Pattaya for their main celebration on 18-19th.

So with some planning you can make it last damned near a week.

Ohhh really....

Yay for drinks on Thursday!!

[PoorSucker]

Here on Samui it's only 13th.

Welcome.

[Lizard2010]

Thanks for sharing the Photos.

Looks very wet.

Good For Wet Shirt Competition

[Flatouthruthefog]

<br />All good fun 'n all that but too early. Should be on the 13th and 13th only. Bang anyone up who dares to fling water outside this date, especially farangs. <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Agree, but we will have to start by locking up the Mayor and the whole of the city council. As early as FRIDAY morning, the 8th, new, high water jets sprayed every user of Nawarat Bridge, all the way along, from left and right.

No one expected it and even THAI motorcyclists with no protection were visibly surprised and upset.

What a totally irresponsible invitation to everyone to start the mayhem early! And yes, I'm only here at SoakGran because I have to plough through this mayhem, slowly of course, to get to work. In a car, windows up, doors locked.

Make it two days, MAX, and make 'em weekends!

[Greenside]

I think you experienced the testing. Someone else mentioned it to me last week but I went through several times afterwards and no spraying - probably doesn't make the victims feel much better though.

[vacationman]

Hey Greenside,

GREAT Pictures.

What kind of Camera are you using?

Must be waterproof from Deep Sea Diving or something.

Surely it's getting SAOKED.

Loved the photos... thanks for sharing.

[wolf5370]

<br />All good fun 'n all that but too early. Should be on the 13th and 13th only. Bang anyone up who dares to fling water outside this date, especially farangs. <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Agree, but we will have to start by locking up the Mayor and the whole of the city council. As early as FRIDAY morning, the 8th, new, high water jets sprayed every user of Nawarat Bridge, all the way along, from left and right.

No one expected it and even THAI motorcyclists with no protection were visibly surprised and upset.

What a totally irresponsible invitation to everyone to start the mayhem early! And yes, I'm only here at SoakGran because I have to plough through this mayhem, slowly of course, to get to work. In a car, windows up, doors locked.

Make it two days, MAX, and make 'em weekends!

I remember last year a fire truck pulled up outside my Moobahn (revellers were there - mostly Thai) - and let loose with the water hose - it was great fun (and only aimed at the already soaked revellers - so no harm) - just glad there were no fires nearby that day! People where dancing on the fire truck after a while too. Great fun.

Didn't join in today, but locals were throwing buckets of water at speeding motorcysles on the Hang Dong Rd earlier (always thought that was insane - bikes speek up to avoid getting wet and take a much bigger whack from the bucket! - no ice that I could see though). Off tomorrow with the kids, locked andloaded, for the Thaipae Gate invasion!

PS: Kids were given free water pistols at 7-11 today! My dogs were so happy about that I can tell you - lol

[Greenside]

Hey Greenside,

GREAT Pictures.

What kind of Camera are you using?

Must be waterproof from Deep Sea Diving or something.

Surely it's getting SAOKED.

Loved the photos... thanks for sharing.

I'm using a Canon 7D in a plastic bag and an extra pair of eyes in the back of my head to avoid the worst of the water.

[bridge]

Hey Greenside,

GREAT Pictures.

What kind of Camera are you using?

Must be waterproof from Deep Sea Diving or something.

Surely it's getting SAOKED.

Loved the photos... thanks for sharing.

I'm using a Canon 7D in a plastic bag and an extra pair of eyes in the back of my head to avoid the worst of the water.

What lense are you using?

[Greenside]

The first day was all on a Canon 24-105mm lens. There are usually too many people in the way to make anything longer much use + it gets very heavy to carry for more than and hour or two.

[PostmanPat]

Had to go out late Tuesday night. Around 11pm. Stupid, stupid FARANGS were STILL throwing water. Fortunately I was in my Pickup so no problem, but saw quite a few inconvenienced (wet) people.

The old tradition of finishing at sundown has clearly gone for ever.

The whole thing has become a Kho San Road away trip now. Total aholes and dickheads.

[LJW]

The first day was all on a Canon 24-105mm lens. There are usually too many people in the way to make anything longer much use + it gets very heavy to carry for more than and hour or two.

I think the 8fps shooting is how you get those great shots...