I've been stuck in Chiang Mai for the last 12 songkrans and they are getting worse, even despite the new regulations and I would like to hear posters reports on a pleasant, mellow, low keyed place that I can escape with my family........preferably near the ocean or on a river with some mid range comforts.

Please......positive suggestions only, I don't care to argue the pros and cons of the holiday, I just want a place to escape to next year with the family that is not a drunken orgy [with no happy ending].

Thnaks in advance....

We do Songkran at some of the small villages here near Pattaya. Ban Amphur, Bang Saray....all relaxed affairs with no high powered water cannons. Real fun. There are quite a few resorts between Ban Amphur and Bang Saray...you wouldn't even know it was Songkran if you stayed there. One I like is

How about Tha Ton? It's near you and they have great cabins right on the river. The one I stayed at was near the end of the line of resorts, so off the beaten track and out of town enough so it was quiet and relaxing. Here's an example:

http://www.sunsetvillage.co.th/

Samui has only one day.

I find Cape Town in South Africa works for me over Songkran....right on the sea

Trat on the coast. (But not Koh Chang, which is far worse than Chiang Mai.) There are many, many beaches with small resorts for 500-1000 a night per bungalow.

Lasted two days, all Thai, very low key but everyone happy. Very few water throwers and if I put my hand up, "no", they almost to a person respected that.

No water in the face of motorbikers. In fact, no water in the face at all.

It was the best Songkran I've had.

I enjoy the Mae Sariang area, but I've never been there during Songkran. It's a sleepy little village on a river about a 4 hour drive from Chiang Mai.There are a few smaller villages further north towards Mae Hong Son that also might be suitable.

Lampang this year. Wednesday a few kids throwing water from the back of pick ups. Thursday mayhem. Friday nothing at all,walked from Big C to Thip Chang hotel dry.

Sataurday its a ghost town. And only 90 kliks from CNX

Trat on the coast. (But not Koh Chang, which is far worse than Chiang Mai.) There are many, many beaches with small resorts for 500-1000 a night per bungalow.

Lasted two days, all Thai, very low key but everyone happy. Very few water throwers and if I put my hand up, "no", they almost to a person respected that.

No water in the face of motorbikers. In fact, no water in the face at all.

It was the best Songkran I've had.

I've been to Ko Chang and can see the potiential for drunken mayhem with all the falang tourists, but have overlooked Trat, except on the maps and have been curious about the resorts on the coast nearest Cambodia. Is that where you're talking about?? Can you name a few towns or resorts??

I was in Hua Hin a few years ago for Songkran and it was fairly tame. All the action was in the bar area and a few streets around town. It only went a few days. I don't think the participants in the Chinese parade appreciated us water hosing them from the top of a nearby hotel... lol.

In Chanthaburi we celebrate the night of the 12th and during the day on 13. Only in the city and along the park.