2013 Pattaya Songkran Faq

[JSixpack]

OK, let's DO IT AGAIN!!!

Last year's threads where you can read everything that will be said again this year:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/545144-songkran-terror-watch-dates-and-reports/
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/545144-songkran-terror-watch-dates-and-reports/http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/545144-songkran-terror-watch-dates-and-reports/

Some our worst trolls last year have been banned, heh, heh--but others remain and new ones will arise. Let's see if we can't get them banned, too.

I've often thought we need a sticky w/ a FAQ (or FAI [Frequently Asserted Ignorance] or FAN [Frequently Asserted Nonsense]) in this forum to avoid so much repetition of ignorance and hot air about Songran. Should be a big help to newbies. Something like this:

THE 2013 PATTAYA SONGKRAN FAQ

In no particular order

Q: What are the dates of Pattaya's Songkran horror?
A: Starts tentatively on April 11th by premature ejaculators and goes through the 19th. Starts picking up speed on the 12th on the principle of monkey see monkey do because that's the official start of Songkran in Thailand--but not, in fact, in Pattaya, because different areas have different dates within the period.

By the 13th, when Bankok's Songkran starts, things are in full swing. The 16th to the 19th is the worst because the Bangkok hooligans have migrated to swell the ranks of the Pattaya hooligans.

On the 18th and 19th any travel becomes quite difficult owing to gridlock and "festivities."

Yes, it always stops on the 19th.

Q: Why does Songkran last so long in Pattaya?
A: It is usually started early by mobs of young farang yobos in the bars, notably in Sois 7 and 8. These hooligans live and breathe for Songkran season. Some will be posting in this thread. The vast Pattaya bar scene isn't noted for polite, considerate, civilized behavior; consider the type of workers and customers; reality strongly asserts itself at Songkran.

Q: Can I travel to or from Pattaya on the 19th?
A: Forget it. All roads into Pattaya turn into parking lots. Some, if not all, taxi services refuse to travel on that day. Driving? Member marstons reports it took him 3 hours to get from the motorway junction to the Pattaya Klang intersection on Sukhumvit.

It's also hard to travel out of Pattaya on the 19th. The buses do run, but you'll have to get the station on your own (no Bell Travel pickup) and expect long, long delays.

Q: Where is Pattaya's Songkran?
A: All the way from Naklua to Jomtien, though the further away you are from the bar areas, the safer you are. That includes Wong Amart. The worst areas are Beach Rd. and 2nd Rd. in Pattaya.

Q: It stops at 6 PM by law, no problem.
A: Law? No, it doesn't stop at 6 PM. Try 11 PM or 12 AM. Member tropo notes, On some nights and especially the night before the big day on 19th they throw water all through the night - even on 3rd road.

It can start as early as 7 AM, but any time is possible. You'll have to weigh the probabilities and choices of routes.

Q: Motorcyclists are safe because they wear helmets.
A. No, roads are slippery, cyclists get hit w/ blasts of water and ice making control difficult, their shields get pasted over with powder so they can't see. It's quite dangerous. Have YOU had a motorbike accident yet? No?

Q: What about wearing a rainsuit?
A: Hot as hell! You just get soaked from the inside and still risk the dangers.

Q: The police have instituted a ban on high pressure water guns and PVC pipes
A: You must be joking. They do that every year. Once in a while they condescend to grab one or two.

Q: Just ride w/ your car windows rolled up.
A: No, the windshield and rear-view mirrors get powdered and pasted so the driver can't see clearly. Repeat this 10 times: Some of us don't own cars.

But some of our biggest Songkran badasses here do merely drive around in their cars with their windows rolled up. They don't really participate--just watch.

Q: Long-term residents know the worst areas and can avoid them
A: But the milder areas are also a nuisance. You really have to know Pattaya well to avoid all clusters of beer bars. Besides, many residents do ride the baht buses—esp. what with the traffic and parking situation nowadays--and most buses travel via the Beach Rd/2nd Rd circuit.

Q: It's harmless fun and a good laugh
A: No, vehicle accidents do happen because of the water, powder, and ice throwing. One TV member almost lost an eye to infection. Eye and ear infections are not uncommon as much of the water is quite filthy. Fights break out (see the threads here and here from last year).

Lots of people, notably most of those living here, ain't laughing. We've been through multiple Songkrans; we know quite well what it's all about. Women don't think being groped is a good laugh either. I recall a bitter post about that by a farang woman.

Q: But why is it hooliganism?
A: Simply because the hooligans force everyone to participate whether they want to or not. And they attempt to injure their victims if possible. Indeed, the whole purpose of many of the water hooligans is to cause as much harm with no fear of prosecution. See this idiot?

As tlock said last year,

It does seem like the goal is to make me wreck my bike. Every bowl and water cannon was aiming for my eyes, and people would do things like hide behind something and jump out and hit me in the face with water...

Hooligan-on-hooligan would be fine, let 'em have at it.

Q: It's a Thai custom, farangs should have no say.
A: Thais and farangs force the farangs to participate whether they want to or not; ergo, they have a say even though the powers-that-be pay no attention.

Q: If you don't like Songkran, you're a stick-in-the-mud
A: Lots of, like, really cool people don't like the inconvenience of Pattaya Songkran for TEN days. We live here and just need to live our lives, shop, bank, work, see doctors, and take the kids out. TWO days at most would be fine.

As gmac said last year,

Try taking your wife/girlfriend to work on a motorbike during this wonderful enjoyable time and see how much you like it then. Not knocking Pattaya or the life in general just the morons who insist on soaking people who actually have to work for a living on their way to work

Q: Saying anything against Songkran is a whinge
A: Facts are facts. And if one has the right to chortle and gurgle in praise of Songkran and jerk off over a water gun, one also has the right to express one's legitimate, entirely reasonable displeasure at being forcibly inconvenienced and having to spend time and money leaving the area. You feel better squirting water; we feel better venting.

And of course you wouldn't whinge against the whingeing, now would you?

Q: Nobody's paying any attention your complaints, nyuk nyuk nyuk.
A: Oh, we know that. But a major purpose of the annual HATE SONGKRAN threads is to share survival information for those of us who must remain here for the duration. And as I said venting just feels good too.

Some members believe that disgust on the part of Thais, mainly, and farangs will eventually be heard by City Hall. Naturally, other members pooh-pooh the very idea.

Q: If you don't like Songkran, you don't like Pattaya and Thailand!
A: No, Thaier-than-thou, most of us living here like Pattaya and Thailand. We don't have to like EVERYTHING, though, and you don't either. Me, I'm a big supporter of Pattaya, love the city except for the traffic and SONGKRAN.

Q: But it's just a little inconvenience!
A: No, for those living here, it's a MAJOR inconvenience because it goes on for such a long time. In this case, complaints are legit, justified, and almost universal among long-term residents including Thais. Most Thais enjoy the last couple of days--not 10 days! (Except for time off work)

Q: What can those who DON'T want to participate do to avoid Songkran?
A: Hole up for a week (hint: frozen foods and veggies for when the fresh runs out), go out only late at night on furtive expeditions to Foodland or Best; find a town on a different Songkran cycle or a milder Songkran (wpcoe recommended Hua Hin); leave Thailand. That's ALL.

Holing up for week doesn't have to be so bad if you're well stocked with food, booze, cigars, videos, and women. As Jingthing noted last year, it takes a whole day of shopping to stock up, thus extending the Songkran inconvenience an additional day. Seems you're always running out of something though . . . have your delivery services numbers handy.

Q: So where is the best place to spend Songkran?
A: In our neighborhood? Vietnam, Phils, and Malaysia. Cambodia has got a favorable mention as having a much more limited Songkran. No word about Burma yet AFAIK but it's gotta be better than Pattaya.

Get to the airport early: the mass exodus means long lines.

Q: Is Pattaya Songkran in decline?
A: Maybe. A number of members thought so last year. Fewer Brit yobos are coming over and the exchange rate discourages Americans and Europeans too—but not the Ozzies. Seems the Russians by and large haven't quite got into it yet; one can only imagine how it will be when they do!

Still, even if it IS in decline, it's not yet enough to make everyday life bearable for us permanent residents.

Q: But I get to see young women in wet T-shirts at Songkran
A: You can see plenty of those with no T-shirts in the go-go bars anytime. No big deal. All that drooling over Songkran wimmen is so silly, considering.

[Ulysses G.]

I live in Chiang Mai which is famous for wild Songkrans and I do not mind it here, but Pattaya sounds like it really sucks - putting up with all the inconsiderate yobs for 10 days whole days!

Edited March 16, 2013 by Ulysses G.

[craigt3365]

Great post! We'll keep this pinned. When new posts get opened in the Pattaya forum, we'll close them and refer them here.

Thanks!!

P.S. If anyone else wants to add some words of wisdom, let me know and I have them added.

[ArNaSu]

Pretty much spot on post. I'll be arriving at the start of it this year so am formulating escape plans at the moment. I think it was last year was in Pak Chong to avoid the Pattaya madness. One afternoon there came across bunches of Thai's throwing water, thought I was a gonner, anyway they asked us if we wanted to play basically, we said no, they waved us through and once we were past them they continued throwing water. No one threw water at you unless you wanted to take part. I think it's just the retards in Pattaya who think it's funny throw water on people who don't want to take part.

[craigt3365]

Pretty much spot on post. I'll be arriving at the start of it this year so am formulating escape plans at the moment. I think it was last year was in Pak Chong to avoid the Pattaya madness. One afternoon there came across bunches of Thai's throwing water, thought I was a gonner, anyway they asked us if we wanted to play basically, we said no, they waved us through and once we were past them they continued throwing water. No one threw water at you unless you wanted to take part. I think it's just the retards in Pattaya who think it's funny throw water on people who don't want to take part.

I went to Preecha's in Ban Amphur (south of Pattaya) 2 years ago for dinner. Forgot Songkran was celebrated a day later there! As I was headed down the small soi I noticed a crowd of about 100 people partying in the street. Dancing, drinking and throwing water/powder. I thought "oh no, I'm screwed".

When I got to the crowd I drove slowly and they started to part to let me through. One guy came up with a hand full of powder and knocked on my window. I was very nervous, but rolled down the window a few inches. He gave me a big smile and a wai and asked if he could put a bit of powder on my face and draw a "lucky symbol" on my car. I said yes, he did this ever so politely, then reached behind him, grabbed a cold beer and handed it to me so we could do a chock dee together. Fantastic. Big difference from Pattaya.

I think most of the problems in Pattaya come from the foreigners??

[sucher]

What is happening in Walking Street over Songkran?Crazy or not?

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Q: Is Songkran in Pattaya a complete pain in the arse?

A: Yes.

[sucher]

How about inside of a Bar or Gogo?

[brewsterbudgen]

Fantastic post! So glad I leave for the UK on the 10th and don't get back until the 21st.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

I think most of the problems in Pattaya come from the foreigners??

Quite possibly, though the Thai bar staff do tend to go more than a bit mental also. But I suppose that if there were no foreigners there would be no bar staff either and everyone would behave here as they do in small places.

[sucher]

Looks like i am in for a Treat

[fakename]

Songkran can be fun, IF, you are here only for a holiday. IF, you have no cell phone with you. IF, you have no passport or other valuable papers with you. If you are not on a motorbike, and hit with a bucket of water, in the face.

[balo]

Is it possible to take a walk in Jomtien Beach Rd without getting wet ?

I use a bicycle to move around , from Jomtien soi 4 to 12 , and I dont want to take part in Songkran.

Will I be attacked?

[Jingthing]

Is it possible to take a walk in Jomtien Beach Rd without getting wet ?

I use a bicycle to move around , from Jomtien soi 4 to 12 , and I dont want to take part in Songkran.

Will I be attacked?

Yes, you absolutely will be attacked.

[somtampet]

Songkran in Pattaya is for drunken morons,who aim their high power guns in faces,girls crotches and they love to fondle breasts too, disgrace to farangs

[Jingthing]

Songkran in Pattaya is for drunken morons,who aim their high power guns in faces,girls crotches and they love to fondle breasts too, disgrace to farangs

Yes and that's just the tip of the iceberg ...

[sucher]

And that lasts a Week or more? I dont mind a Day,maybe 2.Anything longer is a pain.

Edited March 20, 2013 by sucher

[balo]

Is it possible to take a walk in Jomtien Beach Rd without getting wet ?

I use a bicycle to move around , from Jomtien soi 4 to 12 , and I dont want to take part in Songkran.

Will I be attacked?

Yes, you absolutely will be attacked.

How can you be sure ?

Is it safer in the morning or afternoon ?

[Jingthing]

Mornings safer especially early.

[raro]

What is happening in Walking Street over Songkran?Crazy or not?

you don't want to be there!

Excellent thread and congrats to the op to sum up the mayhem in all its aspects straight to the point.

I for one will sit at the pool with a fridge stuffed to the rim with food and vandalize my wine supply...

[raro]

Oh, and one more thing. Partying with friends is also more or less impossible because of the countless road blocks and lack of public transport.

[JSixpack]

What is happening in Walking Street over Songkran?Crazy or not?

you don't want to be there!

Excellent thread and congrats to the op to sum up the mayhem in all its aspects straight to the point.

I for one will sit at the pool with a fridge stuffed to the rim with food and vandalize my wine supply...

I once visited WS the morning of the 20th and it looked like there'd been a snowfall, the powder and sludge were so thick. So many bars . . . .

Edited March 21, 2013 by JSixpack

[craigt3365]

Oh, and one more thing. Partying with friends is also more or less impossible because of the countless road blocks and lack of public transport.

I could probably find a back way there with no road blocks. Just to help protect your wine supply...or is that to help vandalize???

5555555555

[Suradit69]

Songkran in Pattaya is for drunken morons,who aim their high power guns in faces,girls crotches and they love to fondle breasts too, disgrace to farangs

"disgrace to farangs"

Yes, a big departure from the way the drunken morons, aka many tourists/resident farang, behave the rest of the year.

Q: The police have instituted a ban on high pressure water guns and PVC pipes

A: You must be joking. They do that every year. Once in a while they condescend to grab one or two.

Looks a bit more than one or two.

Police Colonel Nanthawut Suwanla-Ong, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station points to a pile of confiscated PVC water cannons.

Edited March 23, 2013 by Suradit69

[raro]

Oh, and one more thing. Partying with friends is also more or less impossible because of the countless road blocks and lack of public transport.

I could probably find a back way there with no road blocks. Just to help protect your wine supply...or is that to help vandalize???

5555555555

great to have friends

[mikecartoonman]

Excellent thread and congrats to the op to sum up the mayhem in all its aspects straight to the point.

Very Well Written....Sums up Songkran to a T.

It should be for only One Day - But the GREEDY People up top couldn't get enough money in One Day so they turned it into 9 Days ....

They don't care how many people die as long as the money keeps rolling in.

Here are a few Cartoons to sum up Songkran.

[JSixpack]

"disgrace to farangs"

Yes, a big departure from the way the drunken morons, aka many tourists/resident farang, behave the rest of the year.

Glad you agree. It really IS kind of obvious--to most everyone else but you. Observe the contrasts between your journeys down Beach Rd during Songkran and at other times of the year. Take careful notes; study and arrive at rational conclusions.

Q: The police have instituted a ban on high pressure water guns and PVC pipes

A: You must be joking. They do that every year. Once in a while they condescend to grab one or two.

-

Looks a bit more than one or two.

Police Colonel Nanthawut Suwanla-Ong, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station points to a pile of confiscated PVC water cannons.

I've been waiting. When did you get off the boat? Good show, eh? A tiny percentage, immediately replaced. It's about like those crackdowns on pirated DVDs. Ride down Beach Rd., you'll find no difference.

Learn to distinguish between appearances (Thais are such masters of those) and the realities.

[rott]

Pretty much spot on post. I'll be arriving at the start of it this year so am formulating escape plans at the moment. I think it was last year was in Pak Chong to avoid the Pattaya madness. One afternoon there came across bunches of Thai's throwing water, thought I was a gonner, anyway they asked us if we wanted to play basically, we said no, they waved us through and once we were past them they continued throwing water. No one threw water at you unless you wanted to take part. I think it's just the retards in Pattaya who think it's funny throw water on people who don't want to take part.

I think most of the problems in Pattaya come from the foreigners??

All those Thai youths and schoolkids must be foreigners in disguise then.

Someone said that Hua Hin is very calm and peaceful in comparison with Pattaya, any other suggestions for relatively sane places for Songkran?

Had Yai, Songhkla., Sadao???

Otherwise it's a toss-up between Vietnam and Malaysia.

Excellent thread JS, well done.

[JSixpack]

Pretty much spot on post. I'll be arriving at the start of it this year so am formulating escape plans at the moment. I think it was last year was in Pak Chong to avoid the Pattaya madness. One afternoon there came across bunches of Thai's throwing water, thought I was a gonner, anyway they asked us if we wanted to play basically, we said no, they waved us through and once we were past them they continued throwing water. No one threw water at you unless you wanted to take part. I think it's just the retards in Pattaya who think it's funny throw water on people who don't want to take part.

I think most of the problems in Pattaya come from the foreigners??

All those Thai youths and schoolkids must be foreigners in disguise then.

Someone said that Hua Hin is very calm and peaceful in comparison with Pattaya, any other suggestions for relatively sane places for Songkran?

Had Yai, Songhkla., Sadao???

Otherwise it's a toss-up between Vietnam and Malaysia.

Excellent thread JS, well done.

Thank you!

Vietnam or Malaysia would be great. I've been to both, multiple times, to escape Songkran. Had a great bike trip out of Hanoi one year. Last year went to Vung Tao, really nice beach town, inexpensive, good bar scene, beautiful women. Wonderful to be there rather than being trashed by water hooligans in PTY.

Seems there's air fare price gouging to Angeles or Cebu around Songkran time and the planes are full. I never get around to booking early enough.

This year I'm off to the States.

I don't leave every year, however. I've been known to hole up. I prefer just to hole up in PTY or BKK (only 3 days in BKK!). Nothing much to do in other Thai towns . . . but Hua Hin does sound kind of interesting.

[guzzi850m2]

I am so glad I am off for overseas work on the 7th, as a resident it's just a pain in the butt that it has to go on for so many days.

On Phuket they only do it for a couple days when I lived there long time ago so in that regard +1 to Phuket.

Last year I was here, used the car a lot, locked the doors, closed the windows and then go shopping/eating in the big shopping centers.

I bet there will be a lot of angry Russians again this year , they don't seems to have a great sense of humor and an bucket of ice water over the head won't help matters

Enjoy

Edited March 26, 2013 by guzzi850m2