Riding During Songkran, Feasible?

[barefoot1988]

is this normal? I would hate to be blinded by water, ouch!

[nocturn]

way too common

[theblether]

Unfortunately yes.........completely unavoidable and to make it worse, just when you think you are clear of the crowds so to speak someone will appear from nowhere and soak you.

Park up the motorcycle and walk.

ps There were reports last year in Chiang Mai of farangs starting the party early and people were getting soaked unexpectedly before Songkran started. That can lead to violent confrontation.

[wana]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

[pipo1000]

Welcome to Thailand and the songkran idiocy.

[inthepink]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

That's a silly comment. I often had my visor open when riding in the UK.

[MAJIC]

Riding during Songkran feasable?

Not recommended,

Due, to those on the roadside throwing water,(often ice water) ,who have no sense of danger,especially YOURS,they don't give a toss,if you end up injured.It's all about "Let the Children Play" regardless,and Sod you.

[David48]

Up to you if a good idea or not ... depends largely on where you live.

A sobering read ... the Road Toll summary article from last year's Songkran Festival.

http://www.thaivisa....s-but-271-dead/

Throughout this Songkran road accident surveillance period, 271 people were killed and 3,476 injured in 3,215 reported accidents nationwide

Mind you, the rider in the clip above did himself no favours with his riding tactics.

OH ... you asked if that's "normal" ... that, I can guarantee is mild for what can be expected, and one of the reasons why the Festival polarizes (loves it or hates it) many of the readership here.

Isn't there a whole section here somewhere dedicated to the subject?

[Baxer]

Up to you if a good idea or not ... depends largely on where you live.

A sobering read ... the Road Toll summary article from last year's Songkran Festival.

http://www.thaivisa....s-but-271-dead/

Throughout this Songkran road accident surveillance period, 271 people were killed and 3,476 injured in 3,215 reported accidents nationwide

Mind you, the rider in the clip above did himself no favours with his riding tactics

Must have been a god year then, a few years back it was over 600 dead.

[David48]

A sobering read ... the Road Toll summary article from last year's Songkran Festival.

http://www.thaivisa....s-but-271-dead/

Throughout this Songkran road accident surveillance period, 271 people were killed and 3,476 injured in 3,215 reported accidents nationwide

Must have been a god year then, a few years back it was over 600 dead.

It was the Thai Visa article from last year. Posted 2011-04-19

[edwinchester]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

Several years ago some idiot ran out into the middle of a six lane highway and threw a bucket of water in my face causing me to lose a 14000 bht pair of prescription sunglasses when they fell off and were smashed. I had an open face helmet on. My mistake was thinking the thrower had any comprehension of what was dangerous and potentially life threatening so lesson learned.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[David48]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

Several years ago some idiot ran out into the middle of a six lane highway and threw a bucket of water in my face causing me to lose a 14000 bht pair of prescription sunglasses when they fell off and were smashed. I had an open face helmet on. My mistake was thinking the thrower had any comprehension of what was dangerous and potentially life threatening so lesson learned.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

Pattaya per chance ?

[longstebe]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

It's hard not to agree with this statement.

[nocturn]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

It's hard not to agree with this statement.

even in a full face helmet you go blind for a few seconds.

not to mention the shock, especially if you didnt see it coming.

[longstebe]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

It's hard not to agree with this statement.

even in a full face helmet you go blind for a few seconds.

not to mention the shock, especially if you didnt see it coming.

Since when did they start using oil for Songkran?

[wana]

^

well ,then youre irresponsible and shouldnt be on the road

nobody should be driving a vehicle without good eye protection

theres ,flying dust,insects ,small stones kicked up by the traffic in front of you and not to mention that heavy rain

is also known to fall from the sky ,even when it isnt Songkran

i seen a police man getting a huge bucket of water poured over his head and soaked his dry uniform when a pick up puled alongside his motorbike

so if they did it to him ,a farang isnt going to have much chance

[David48]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

It's hard not to agree with this statement.

even in a full face helmet you go blind for a few seconds.

not to mention the shock, especially if you didnt see it coming.

Since when did they start using oil for Songkran?

In the context of the posts quoted ... can anyone explain to me what longstebe is on about?

Oil ?

[edwinchester]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

Several years ago some idiot ran out into the middle of a six lane highway and threw a bucket of water in my face causing me to lose a 14000 bht pair of prescription sunglasses when they fell off and were smashed. I had an open face helmet on. My mistake was thinking the thrower had any comprehension of what was dangerous and potentially life threatening so lesson learned.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

Pattaya per chance ?

Kanchanaburi.

Wana, was the shouldn't be on the road comment aimed at me?

If so I would like to point out that my prescription glasses were polycarbonate and aimed at sports use so provided plenty of eye protection. I was also wearing an agv open face helmet with peak.

Unfortunately sometimes you're at the mercy of imbeciles who run out onto a main highway and hurl water.

Lesson learned and it won't happen again.

As an aside the teenagers father was very apologetic and called him an idiot too.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[longstebe]

@ David48

It was just some light hearted fun.

I don't think water being thrown over you would make you go blind for a few seconds but oil probably would.

[Briggsy]

I don't want to go into a rant but I would advise the OP for a number of reasons not to ride a motorbike during the Songkran water-throwing. The video demonstrates sometning that occurs regularly. I will stop now before I really get going.

[Briggsy]

Oil

Sometimes they put that perfumed non-aqueous based liquid, camphor oil????, in the Songkran "water" mix along with talcum powder, shampoo, petals, etc.

[Semper]

@ David48

It was just some light hearted fun.

I don't think water being thrown over you would make you go blind for a few seconds but oil probably would.

Driving a bike 40-50 kmph and the unexpectedly being hit by a bucket of water will certainly make you go blind for several seconds, or being thrown off the bike.

[longstebe]

@ David48

It was just some light hearted fun.

I don't think water being thrown over you would make you go blind for a few seconds but oil probably would.

Driving a bike 40-50 kmph and the unexpectedly being hit by a bucket of water will certainly make you go blind for several seconds, or being thrown off the bike.

Even with a full face helmet?

Don't get me wrong though I wouldn't like to try.

[robblok]

I have driven during song kran on the bike. But its tricky at times. I prefer not too, but i need to get some food at times. Next time ill just use the car.

[richard_smith237]

A few years ago I had a thoroughly enjoyable Songkran.

We visited friend near On Nut, and just outside their house had BBQ and a few beers (wife was driving). We gave those in the back of a pickup a royal soaking and them us in return. Motorbikes often raised their hands to say no thanks and were left alone, the kids too followed our lead and left the bikes alone if they made it clear they were not playing. Some bikes stopped off, soaked us, we soaked them, they topped up with water and moved on, often applying a little white paste on our faces.

Come the evening we went to a night club, there was a little water getting splashed around by a few, but nothing excessive.

In short - its pretty obvious who wants to play, the area's which to avoid if you don't wish to play. And yes only stupid idiots hit speeding motorbikes with a barrage of water. There are a lot of idiots out there, so If you have to ride a bike be very careful. If it's not critical for you to use your bike leave it at home, doing so may save you anything from a nasty road rash to your life.

[bunta71]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

OK tough guy...try getting 5 gals of water with large chunks of ice in it directed into your face while riding. Ask my buddy Rodger. He the one with only one leg now. You can see him around Chiang mai still riding. His leg wasn't amputated. It was torn off in his crash. Songkran 2005. Love to see you tell him this idiot comment.

[wana]

you should be wearing a full faced helmet at all times on a bike anyway (ideally passenger also but driver for sure )

its hard to feel sorry for someone who crashes his bike because water went in his eyes

OK tough guy...try getting 5 gals of water with large chunks of ice in it directed into your face while riding. Ask my buddy Rodger. He the one with only one leg now. You can see him around Chiang mai still riding. His leg wasn't amputated. It was torn off in his crash. Songkran 2005. Love to see you tell him this idiot comment.

well sir ,either you are talking through your ass or it took a olympic grade athlete to throw 5 gallons of water any distance at all

have you any idea on the weight of five gallons of water or are you just spouting random shit in the hopes people will listen ?

what speed was he doing to have a body part as large as a leg ripped off by a bucket of water ?

do you ever think about reality before you make a post ?

[CanInBKK]

@ David48

It was just some light hearted fun.

I don't think water being thrown over you would make you go blind for a few seconds but oil probably would.

Driving a bike 40-50 kmph and the unexpectedly being hit by a bucket of water will certainly make you go blind for several seconds, or being thrown off the bike.

In all honesty if its Sonkran, you're riding and you're approaching a bunch of people at the side the road standing next to a drum of water, if you get splashed "unexpectedly" you probably shouldn't be riding a motorcycle period.

I'm not advocating the splashing practice but if someone rides during this festival they should expect to arrive wet.

[phuturatica]

I always go with the tactic, "better safe than sorry" - Just put your motorbike away for Songkran. Sure you'll miss it but it won't do you any harm to walk or get in a car instead.

[mauGR1]

I always go with the tactic, "better safe than sorry" - Just put your motorbike away for Songkran. Sure you'll miss it but it won't do you any harm to walk or get in a car instead.

Yep, 3 days before Songkhran i start to store whatever i need, if i'am going out i just walk in my oldest short pants, with a little money in a double plastic bag...And it's fun indeed !

Motorbike is a no-no for me during those days.