Popular Post wayned Posted April 17, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted April 17, 2013 Songkran in the village where I live was relatively dry as usual. There was no water throwing in the small town nearby, only a few children that would squirt you with a water pistol if you let them, and I did. They really enjoyed shooting a farang. Some people got up very early on Sunday morning to prepare and cook for the village celebration. The monks came around 1000, chanted, ate, chanted again and left to go to the next village. As all this was happening there were many bottles of Hong Thong being consumed. The locals setup a line of chairs to honor the elders by washing their hands. In the past I had elected not to join them, but this year I agreed, most likely do to the Hong Thong. I sat at the end of the line next to the village “grouch”. When they finallyreached me they washed my hands and poured what was left in there bowls, clean warm water, over my shoulder getting both me and the grouch soaked. It was time to get the only farang in thevillage. The grouch grumbled but didn’t throw a fit. After that they tried to get me “totaled” with copious amounts of whiskey but I excused myself and hobbled the ½ kilometer home while I could still hobble. The party continued without me with dancing and karaoke and no fights this year. There were about 60 adults and many children. It was very different than the water bashing that I used to take, all day every day for 4 days, when I lived in Samui. It was actually a rather pleasant one time drenching! How was your shower? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFon Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 My maid and her family are on their way back sometime in the next few days, they report there wasn't enough water in their area of Isaan to have any water-throwing. But of course their once a year visiting family members was a higher priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiebebe Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Your Songkran sounds really nice, wayned, it sounds like you had the sort of 'ideal' experience where everyone was good natured. It's far preferable to malicious drenching with ice-cold buckets of water that most Thais go in for. I stayed in Bangkok and found even when I went to visit the in-laws, Thais were quite subdued this year. I had a great time at Mega Bang Na with my son as they had an outdoor water park, kind of like watergun-meets-paintball with nets and obstacles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvy Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 i too witnessed the real way to celebrate Songkran. I was amazed at the village spirit , going to the temple and then afterwards having a feast , as everyone brought food for all to enjoy .After that there was the blessing for the older people as well. They included me , which I felt honored to be a part of ,this is the real Songkran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post theblether Posted April 18, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted April 18, 2013 I got drowned but to be fair I asked for it........I spent my time wandering up to random pick ups asking to be shot. I love that photo, look at Mum's face.......anyway I was tormented the life out of by the Mums and kids around of but that was great too......here's my tormentors in chief....... The lady with her tongue sticking out took a real shine to me I have that affect upon ladies you know......these little bandits knew how to wield ice water....... You can see that look saying " yeh theblether, it was me, what ya gonna do about it??? " " One more word and I'm gonna drown ya big man ".................and one of my faves, " My Mum says I've to soak any passing farangs, are you a farang? " I was down at Thapae Gate on Friday, that was mental and I think I'll give it a miss in future, which is a shame as I enjoy the parades. Sunday was fantastic as we spent the day mainly with Thai families. I did enjoy wandering up to the pick ups and playing up to the gallery, one particular pick up took great delight in drowning me, as I walked away I was called back as a wee girl aged about two was standing with a little bowl of water, I dutifully bent down to get soaked and her wee face lit up, I wish I had a photo but the memory was priceless. At that one of the elders got off the truck and gave me a proper blessing. That was very touching.......yup I'll be spending future Songkrans in Thai areas and I'll continue to be the sacrificial lamb......great fun and great memories. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post krisb Posted April 18, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted April 18, 2013 I spent the day in jail. Tried to start up Songkran in Australia, just me and my water pistol. Got charged with assault and possible drug charges from smearing suspicious white powder on strangers faces. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattayadingo Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Wayned ....,.. Exactly as it should be. Sounds like a great day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 (edited) Why is it that everyone that squirted me while I was walking aimed for the crotch? Hard do believe that's part of the tradition. With the notable exception of the guy that apparently added bleach to his water because my shirt has a big bleached out spot where his bucket of water hit me while riding my bike. Contrast that to the lovely waitress who politely asked if she could sprinkle a little water with flower petals on our hands to wish us good fortune. That's what (I hope) Songkran is really all about Edited April 18, 2013 by impulse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yourauntbob Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Spent this SK in the provinces, much more traditional but not much fun in my opinion. Other than a bit of water hitting me while pouring water on the elders hands i was dry as a bone. Next year i hope we can stick around bkk for the first day so i can go out and relive my youth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob8891 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 The Friday was a nightmare, with over-excited falang youths on the rampage near Tha Pae Gate. But the Saturday was incredible, as you can see from theblether's photos.... I was with the same group. The thai people accepted us happily and made us very welcome. There was no vicious soaking, but a lot was done respectfully, on the shoulders.... none of this "have-a-bucket-of-dirty-moat-water-in-your-face" attitude. The wee kiddies really made the day for me - in fact for all of us, I am sure the others would agree. My lady (who was with us) informs me that next year I will see the real Songkran with her family in her village in Lamphun. I'm looking forward to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I spent the day in jail. Tried to start up Songkran in Australia, just me and my water pistol. Got charged with assault and possible drug charges from smearing suspicious white powder on strangers faces. lucky it wasn't in America, they would put you on terrorist charges.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bairn Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 It was very different than the water bashing that I used to take, all day every day for 4 days, when I lived in Samui. That just doesn't happen on Samui - ever. One and a half days at most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I spent the day in jail. Tried to start up Songkran in Australia, just me and my water pistol. Got charged with assault and possible drug charges from smearing suspicious white powder on strangers faces. lucky it wasn't in America, they would put you on terrorist charges.... But he wouldn't be able to post from Guantanamo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFon Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 But he wouldn't be able to post from Guantanamo....- Not a joking matter IMO, IV drips and NG tubes forced up your nose and down your throat without your consent. . . http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/15/opinion/hunger-striking-at-guantanamo-bay.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I had a great Songhan here in BKK. I got shot outside of Big C in Suk 77 by a suspicious black Camry with tinted windows . The back window went down and i was viciously shot by at least two water pistols then the window wound up and the car drove off. Every drive by should be that tastefully accomplished . Our kids went off everyday and did not even come back for food . Street party with food everywhere .They were soaked and tired by time night fell and were too tired to do anything but sleep. Such a peaceful time for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chonabot Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 After 4 days of SK in Kalasin, real fun, I am in Pattaya for a few days to say good bye to some mates. Today is the main Songkran day here - already been soaked by all and sundry and off for some more just now - wish me luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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