i will be taking another 4 weeks in bkk, with day or days tripping outside bkk, this will be my 4th or so trip there, and 4th 1 month stay, i can leave either april 16 or april 23; i understand songkran starts april 13 , a friday, so will i be getting splashed before that, if i venture out or usually only after april 13, and for sometime after april 16, and hence be confined to my apartment for a week, if i don't wanna get splashed ?

the pra padaeng songkran sounds interesting, but not sure i want the 1 full week of getting splashed , if i only have 4 total.

bit concerned heat will make it hard to do much anyhow, as i've never been in bkk later than early february ...

thanks for your advice........

chubby

Its great fun, just dress for the occasion and get on with it. Its also easy to avoid, normally speaking you will be able to get out and about in the morning without getting assaulted too much, and you can retire to your hotel until darkness falls, when things tend to quiten down again.

I think you should come and see it.

...and don't forget a decent plastic bag for your phone/money, etc

Alas, the foundation of what Songkran celebrates has been lost...

Just a reason to party.

Its great fun, just dress for the occasion and get on with it. Its also easy to avoid, normally speaking you will be able to get out and about in the morning without getting assaulted too much, and you can retire to your hotel until darkness falls, when things tend to quiten down again.

I think you should come and see it.

Why would you want to spend all day in a hotel room on holiday? unless u have girls there of course hehehe

and hence be confined to my apartment for a week, if i don't wanna get splashed ?

That would be utterly sad. Biggest party of the year, and you're going to hole yourself up? Best to visit a part of the country where it's celebrated in a fun way (such as Chiang Mai) and join in.

Alas, the foundation of what Songkran celebrates has been lost...

Just a reason to party.

It's been like that since before you were born. It's one of the great myths (also among sad Thai aunties) that the huge water fights and partying are a recent thing. It's not. Look up the pictures from as far back as the 1950's. Looks just as fun as it will be 94 days from now.

(Yes, I'm counting down.. It's AWESOME!!)

Good one. Now the sad sacks can whinge about both Songkran and smoke in Chiang Mai months in advance.

I'll be skipping it, too much water this past year, nothing to celebrate..

and hence be confined to my apartment for a week, if i don't wanna get splashed ?

That would be utterly sad. Biggest party of the year, and you're going to hole yourself up? Best to visit a part of the country where it's celebrated in a fun way (such as Chiang Mai) and join in.

Alas, the foundation of what Songkran celebrates has been lost...

Just a reason to party.

It's been like that since before you were born. It's one of the great myths (also among sad Thai aunties) that the huge water fights and partying are a recent thing. It's not. Look up the pictures from as far back as the 1950's. Looks just as fun as it will be 94 days from now.

(Yes, I'm counting down.. It's AWESOME!!)

I haven't seen those pictures from the 50's, but i guess they also had some pick ups with watercanons installed then.

SongKran is a pain in the butt, tourists chucking water at everyone, avoid.

Loy Gratong is much better, Thais throwing fireworks at you, much more exciting.

If only they could combine both festivals, tourists throwing water over Thais trying to light fireworks, that would be fun!

If you have never seen nor 'done' Songkran then do it, if you have then you might not want to again.. I personally enjoyed the first 4 or 5 years of it but not anymore..

I'll be skipping it, too much water this past year, nothing to celebrate..

It's Thai NEW Year. So it's for the coming year, as it starts raining again making agriculture possible again. In the North and North East we only get very little rain from October to April, usually not enough to grow much in most places.

I'll be skipping it, too much water this past year, nothing to celebrate..

It's Thai NEW Year. So it's for the coming year, as it starts raining again making agriculture possible again. In the North and North East we only get very little rain from October to April, usually not enough to grow much in most places.

I know what it is, it's a celebration of the coming rainy season and asking for blessings for the new years crops and we've not finished cleaning up and recovering from more water then we needed so nothing to celebrate or be thankful for IMO..

I'll be skipping it, too much water this past year, nothing to celebrate..

It's Thai NEW Year. So it's for the coming year, as it starts raining again making agriculture possible again. In the North and North East we only get very little rain from October to April, usually not enough to grow much in most places.

Nah...it's a 4-day drinking binge.

It's been like that since before you were born. It's one of the great myths (also among sad Thai aunties) that the huge water fights and partying are a recent thing. It's not. Look up the pictures from as far back as the 1950's. Looks just as fun as it will be 94 days from now.

(Yes, I'm counting down.. It's AWESOME!!)

I haven't seen those pictures from the 50's, but i guess they also had some pick ups with watercanons installed then.

No pick-ups then, any vehicular water activity was just Jeeps and Land Rovers it seems, and some trucks. But trust me, the usual Thaivisa grumpy-squad would have been bitchin' about it!

Oh God, not Songkran again.

Songkran in Pattaya is the world's biggest pain in the backside.

I will be locking myself in my condo for a week, where it's nice and peaceful.

Oh God, not Songkran again.

Songkran in Pattaya is the world's biggest pain in the backside.

I will be locking myself in my condo for a week, where it's nice and peaceful.

Try Mahasarakham.

Oh God, not Songkran again.

Songkran in Pattaya is the world's biggest pain in the backside.

Yes, it is. I've tried it once, and it's pretty nasty compared to the fun celebration it is in the North and North East.

I'll be skipping it, too much water this past year, nothing to celebrate..

It's Thai NEW Year. So it's for the coming year, as it starts raining again making agriculture possible again. In the North and North East we only get very little rain from October to April, usually not enough to grow much in most places.

Nah...it's a 4-day drinking binge.

Oh sorry, that's my mistake and I guess another reason for me to give it a pass ..

Before I forget, it's of course also the most important cultural and religious event of the year. (And social; it's when the family gets together and you pay respect to parents/elders).

This may be easy to forget if you only get up around noon and then join the party (yes, I admit that's me most days) but there are many cultural events going on, mostly in the morning before the water party starts around noon/early afternoon.

No pick-ups then, any vehicular water activity was just Jeeps and Land Rovers it seems, and some trucks.

I've heard stories of using fire trucks to soak the crowds in the 60s.

where were these photos taken ?

Before I forget, it's of course also the most important cultural and religious event of the year. (And social; it's when the family gets together and you pay respect to parents/elders).

This may be easy to forget if you only get up around noon and then join the party (yes, I admit that's me most days) but there are many cultural events going on, mostly in the morning before the water party starts around noon/early afternoon.

Is this one going to be topless like last year's?

Is this one going to be topless like last year's?

One can only hope.....but guess prior to the event the boobie police will be out threatening people with jail terms etc...spoil sports

_{I have been to one Songkran and had a ball, but one or two days is enough after that it is recovery time for me. Have to admit it is great fun and I reccomend to alot of my friends here in Australia. I took one mate last time and am bringing over a couple this time and no it is not the tourist areas it is up in Issan country where it is a family get together and lots of fun.}

Before I forget, it's of course also the most important cultural and religious event of the year. (And social; it's when the family gets together and you pay respect to parents/elders).

This may be easy to forget if you only get up around noon and then join the party (yes, I admit that's me most days) but there are many cultural events going on, mostly in the morning before the water party starts around noon/early afternoon.

where were these photos taken ?

All Chiang Mai. One of the best places for Songkran. If you fancy some more: http://myfriendyou.co.cc/songkran/thumb.html

Before I forget, it's of course also the most important cultural and religious event of the year. (And social; it's when the family gets together and you pay respect to parents/elders).

This may be easy to forget if you only get up around noon and then join the party (yes, I admit that's me most days) but there are many cultural events going on, mostly in the morning before the water party starts around noon/early afternoon.

where were these photos taken ?

All Chiang Mai. One of the best places for Songkran. If you fancy some more: http://myfriendyou.c...kran/thumb.html

I agree, Chiang Mai is a superb location for Songkran

Talk with my 6 year old in the car this morning:

* So.. 91 days until Songkran... What do you like better, Christmas or Songkran?

- <thinks for 5 secons> : Songkran!!

* What, really, even though you don't get presents on Songkran?

- Yes, but for Christmas I have to be good, Songkran I can be bad!

( ..and then I have her a lecture on being good for Songkran by paying resepect to parents and grandparents.. In the end though Songkran is much more fun. )

Do it once or twice fine. Do not plan to get anything achieved April 13-15, for example, standing on the street hailing a taxi to the airport as someone will throw water over you and your bags and you'll have to be sopping wet on the plane for 12 hours.

Do it once or twice fine. Do not plan to get anything achieved April 13-15,

I disagree, I plan to achieve quite a lot.

But you're right when it comes to achievements that don't involve drinking, partying and other related activities.