Chiang Mai For 10 Days During Songkran, Help Please!

[LionMG]

Hi there - I'm coming to Chiang Mai for the first time for 10 days, arriving on April 10th. I want to do a variety of activities, but I'm having trouble planning things out... mainly because I don't know what to expect with Songkran. I'll want to participate fully in it - including the crazy water fight and cultural things. What I'm wondering is... should I not plan any of my non-Songkran activities (elephant camp, ziplining, etc) during the Songkran days? If yes, what days should I leave completely open for Songkran? 13th, 14th, 15th?

Also I'd like to know what to expect at night during those Songkran days? I'm a young solo traveler and I'd like to celebrate. Not like a drunken hooligan, but maybe dancing/partying with Thai people and like-minded tourists. Is there a lot of that going on or do things die down at night?

If anyone has recommendations on which areas are best for good clean fun and with least amount of obnoxious drunk people, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

[canuckamuck]

You won't be able to fully participate if you also want to avoid obnoxious drunk people.

However, if you are in a mood to have fun, fun you will have. Make sure you get to the moat for the main day, it is something to see. Really off the chain for a water festival.

As far as other activities I can't help you. I have been here too long to know what is interesting anymore.

[anselpixel]

Anything you do that requires transport will be iffy, and far more expensive than usual. The city is one big traffic jam for days. Dunno about the trekking trips outside the city. They may start early enough to avoid the worst of it. Contact some of the vendors and ask. At night, things quiet down a lot, as the water tossing is traditionally a daylight activity.

[OldeBellPedr]

You seem to have made some fairly astute judgements already about what can and can't be done during Songkran. The afternoon of the 11th, then the 12, 13th, 14th and 15th are pretty much no-travel days in Chiang Mai. Traffic chaos. The days are fun if you've never been here before. There's no escaping Songkran (unless you play golf or stay at home!). The problem is that young (and not so young) drunken Farangs and the bar girls, have no understanding of the unwritten rules of Songkran - namely that the water fights should stop at sundown. It is not uncommon for these cretins to be still chucking water at 8 or 9pm. It's an experience not to be missed. Sad that a few dickbrains spoil it!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

You'll have a great time.

Also I'd like to know what to expect at night during those Songkran days? I'm a young solo traveler and I'd like to celebrate. Not like a drunken hooligan, but maybe dancing/partying with Thai people and like-minded tourists. Is there a lot of that going on or do things die down at night?

The water stuff mostly dies down not too long after sundown (say 7pm-ish) except, like mentioned above, by a few Farang dick-brains. There's not too many of those, but .. it only takes one bucket. :/ Then later at night there's the normal nightlife, all the usual places.

If anyone has recommendations on which areas are best for good clean fun and with least amount of obnoxious drunk people, I'd love to hear it.

All around the moat, basically. Some obnoxious drunk people not too far from Thapae Gate, but everywhere else it's good clean fun. But it's all over town really, so do take in some of the moat, but you could easily venture a bit out, where it's a bit quieter but still very wet.

[scorecard]

You'll have a great time.

Also I'd like to know what to expect at night during those Songkran days? I'm a young solo traveler and I'd like to celebrate. Not like a drunken hooligan, but maybe dancing/partying with Thai people and like-minded tourists. Is there a lot of that going on or do things die down at night?

The water stuff mostly dies down not too long after sundown (say 7pm-ish) except, like mentioned above, by a few Farang dick-brains. There's not too many of those, but .. it only takes one bucket. :/ Then later at night there's the normal nightlife, all the usual places.

If anyone has recommendations on which areas are best for good clean fun and with least amount of obnoxious drunk people, I'd love to hear it.

All around the moat, basically. Some obnoxious drunk people not too far from Thapae Gate, but everywhere else it's good clean fun. But it's all over town really, so do take in some of the moat, but you could easily venture a bit out, where it's a bit quieter but still very wet.

And carry your camera, wallet and phone in ziplock bags.

And realize that, during the daylight hours you cannot say 'I just put on my best clothes, please don't throw water on me'.

Everybody is fair game regardless of how you are dressed etc.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

And carry your camera, wallet and phone in ziplock bags.

I mostly just leave them in the car or home. Even if it stays dry in a ziplock bag (within another ziplock bag ) then it's still very hard to actually get it out of the bag, or use it while still in the bag. And money I just bring in loose bank notes in a ziplock bag, and the money will still get very wet, but that's not really a problem. Any remaining money (heh) dries just fine out in the sun.

Taking photos during Songkran is pretty much a topic on to itself. I think you get best results either with a camera enclosure specifically designed for underwater diving use (not just waterproof; it's not enough, it needs to be rated for use a couple meters deep under water) for up-close action shots, OR you find a place from where you are safe from water, no power/phone cables blocking your view and make sure you have an excellent zoom lens. Spots from which you can do that are mostly above street level, and also on top of things like on the moat walls, or just down on the other side of a moat wall if there is a grassy area there from which you can shoot the people on the outside moat, while being shielded in the back by the moat wall. Basically you think to yourself "What would a sniper do?:

[biggles68]

I was in Chiang Mai for last years Songkran and had a ball, the usual tourist activities are all available u can book them through the hotel or travel agency. it may pay to get a taxi drivers phone number as soon as u arrive and to have him on speed dial and dont b cheap with him cos taxis can b scarce at that time. the moat for songkran is a sight to be seen it was fantastic. Good to know things as people have already suggested carry the bare essentials, cash leave ur wallet at home u get drenched several times ur out and about with freezing cold water and warm water from the moat. u can hire an open tuk tuk with a large bin full of water and ice. get a couple of water proof bags even if ur camera is water proof the shots dont come out so good cos of so much water. some water fights were still going at 9pm and these were thais not farang. dont worry about being drenched and going to a restaurant for a feed its not a problem. the opening of songkran u should do but can u see urself playing water fights from 10am to 7pm? i did 2hrs in the morning then went sightseeing for a few hours then back to water fights again for an hour or two. mix up ur days with water fights and sightseeing.

either way it will b fun

[jaideeguy]

If you're young, you'll love it and really get into the spirit. Being a bit older, I loved my first songkran, but have been hiding for every one after. 2 pieces of advise ..............other than what was mentioned in earlier posts is don't ride a motorcycle [if there are any available to rent] and try to find a hotel a bit outside the war zone to escape the insanity. enjoy!! and be safe and respectful......not like the other idiots that this holiday brings out.