Songkran In Isaan

[storm2010]

Just wondering what songkran is like in isaan if anyone has been?I'm particularly looking to go to Nakohn Phanom.Is it worth going to isaan for songkran or is it much better just to stay in Bangkok?

thanks

[sjeng]

in Nakhon phanom, a lot of water pulled out from the back of crazy driving pick-ups of from people forming roadblocks and throwing water to the passing people or cars. and a lot of beer and whiskey, and a lot of drunk people. And a top day for the hospital by all this.

not the watergun fighting parties same in pattaya or bkk.

If you like it have big fun, if you dont stay at home and drikn your beer at home with friends.

[Jeffbaa]

Will you be staying by yourself in a hotel or with a Thai friend and their family? Your experience might differ significantly depending.

I've done the latter about 3 times up in Yasothon and Ubon. Interesting once from a cultural perspective in the sense you get to see the Thai family in action. Days on end of sitting around yapping while eating somtam. Easier to tolerate nowadays that I know more Thai. Biggest problem for me is I just don't enjoy being a guest in anyones home for too long.

Issaan people are extremely friendly so if you go up on your own you will certainly be invited to join in the festivities. The vibe will be much different from Bangkok.

If your up for a change give it a try.

[robbo1]

Done it once a couple of years back, had a ball I am doing it again this year and taking a couple of friends from Australia with me. Really looking forward to it.

[sirchai]

Guess it depends on how you'd like to experience Songkran. It's a lot of fun in the northeast, of course most people are getting drunk and driving around sitting on the back of a Pick Up truck, splashing water at the "others' can be a lot of fun.

I'm so used to it, that I spend at least one day of Songkran in my "hometown' doing so. And that's everywhere here the same fun, in Ubon, Sisaket, Surin etc..

Well, my cat likes to eat mice, but I don't...........

[elwood]

Guess it depends on how you'd like to experience Songkran. It's a lot of fun in the northeast, of course most people are getting drunk and driving around sitting on the back of a Pick Up truck, splashing water at the "others' can be a lot of fun.

I'm so used to it, that I spend at least one day of Songkran in my "hometown' doing so. And that's everywhere here the same fun, in Ubon, Sisaket, Surin etc..

Well, my cat likes to eat mice, but I don't...........

What I enjoy about Songkran in Ubon is being able to visit the Indochine food fair without being splashed, while alongside in Tong Sri Muang Park there is all hell breaking loose in the designated area! Apart from that we stay away from the town centre.

Not a fan of the huge water fights in the towns, but must admit it's fun travelling through our local area and being blessed by some while being drowned by others, often at the same time, and being offered a lot of booze! And if we go to the wife's village on the day, it's nice, being an oldster, to sit with all the elders and receive blessings from nieces, nephews and friends.

Oh - another advantage is that Ubon's Songkran is only half as many days as Pattaya!

Elwood

[diggledunc]

I find Songkran in Isan in my village great fun because that is just what it is. No aggresive water wars and plenty of drinking and eating. Loads of pickups going round. They however seem to have forgotten the dates. The kids have to have so many practice days before which sometimes includes a resident farang, catch them unawares and run before the deluge comes. Like Nakhon Phanom as well.

[farangme]

If you want a water fight, stay in town. If you want an a more relaxed and respectful experience, drive through the countryside and the villages.

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[Lickey]

Here in Namsom, it goes on for 5/6 days, you cant go anywhere without getting soaked, the police come round and stop the water throwing at sundown, it sometimes works, on the first day, mrs and i do the parade through the town, starts at 9am, now everybody expects you to drink, if you havent got a drink they will make you drink thiers, which is normally low cal, the cheap thai stuff, i really dont need this at anytime of the day, so i buy a bottle, tip the stuff down the drain and fill with juice, this way, the locals see you have a drink and dont pester you,

Watch out if driving through the villages, the water thrown is mostly from ditches and has dilluted buffalo <deleted> in it, try not to swallow any, and watch out for ice in the water, its illegal but some do it, plenty of talcum powder as well, why? i dont really know, wrap your ciggs and phone in a tight plastic bag and have fun....

[rod2011]

This year I am in a small Issan village for a few days of Songkran, then Bangkok for a few days then in Pattaya for the last 2 days there. Not sure which days I am looking forward to most.

Pattaya last year was a bit too much with many falang going crazy and continuing during the night as well.

[GinBoy2]

Ahh, Songkran again. Time to stock up on booze and food and settle down to a couple of days of hunkering down with netflix.

[macksview]

after a few songkrans in phuket and bkk, i can only tolerate it, in the wifes village, starts off at the orbator washing the oldies feet, i dread the day i qualify for that, wifes house is a water fight free zone, if you want to water fight down to the main road you go.

pick ups filled with people throwing water, the dodgy middle age thais trying to powder the cute girls all over, most of the thais drunk for the whole time, domestic arguements, fights over whose turn is it to buy the next bottle of lao.

last year, i had to take the nephew up to his friends house on the main road for the water fight, as none of the other family would go, it took forty minutes to get there, drink of lao one house, jw the next and so on, water fight for a little bit, then the back down the gauntlet of free drinks.

but please if you travel take extreme care, as its almost suicidal on the country roads.

[diggledunc]

after a few songkrans in phuket and bkk, i can only tolerate it, in the wifes village, starts off at the orbator washing the oldies feet, i dread the day i qualify for that, wifes house is a water fight free zone, if you want to water fight down to the main road you go.

pick ups filled with people throwing water, the dodgy middle age thais trying to powder the cute girls all over, most of the thais drunk for the whole time, domestic arguements, fights over whose turn is it to buy the next bottle of lao.

last year, i had to take the nephew up to his friends house on the main road for the water fight, as none of the other family would go, it took forty minutes to get there, drink of lao one house, jw the next and so on, water fight for a little bit, then the back down the gauntlet of free drinks.

but please if you travel take extreme care, as its almost suicidal on the country roads.

Agree regarding the roads and also 16th-18th when the villagers return to work after their sojourn to home. Seems this year a little different see TV calender (yes I downloaded, lovely pics) as 16th, 17th substitute days as this year Songkran falls on a weekend. I wonder what will happen on these days as maybe it will be seen by some as an extension of the festivities.

[nongsangcity]

in our village in the sakhon area kids are throwing water at you for about 2 weeks.......a bunch of friends and myself went to wannon niwat for a few drinks at our local outside road side bar... a fire engine drove past us.....stopped then reversed then opened the hose pipe on us ????..bottles of beer , ciggs , lighters, phones all went west.....plus we were left like drowned rats...........if you dont like water maybe a trip back to your own country for this period could be a good idea......coming to issan for songkran as a non thai makes you a big traget , you will get wet....very very wet.....if you do decide to brave it please wear old clothes as your clothes will be ruined on a daily basis ....

[GinBoy2]

I guess it is time to clean the car though...saves my water bill LOL