How/when did songkran evolve from a respectful holiday to the rude mayhem that it is today?

[jaideeguy]

Just wondering how and when songkran evolved from a gentle sprinkling to show respect to the elders to the rude, insane, dangerous holiday that it is now??
It's obvious that it is being promoted by TAT, but who threw the first bucket of water and when??

Has anyone been here long enough to remember the original celebration??

[Om85]

Well, according to what I heard from my Thai friends, the sprinkling of water is not for showing respet to the elthers but to wash buddha and to bless one each other.

[Tywais]

Obviously population density, traffic density and much lower number of tourists then but images in the 1950's show a pretty active party then too.

At Nawarat bridge - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/detail_picturelanna.php?picture_id=583

More archive photos at cmu library - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=15

Songkran then and now - Songkran myths

It was a quiet and respectful celebration!

Yes, it sure was quiet back then.

Just look at this absolutely beautiful picture; brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it..!

Grandma and granddad having a go at each other, 50 years on you can almost still hear the noise of that scene!

[Tywais]

More images here from the '50s - http://siamesevisions.blogspot.com/2011/05/songkran.html

[draftvader]

Obviously population density, traffic density and much lower number of tourists then but images in the 1950's show a pretty active party then too.

At Nawarat bridge - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/detail_picturelanna.php?picture_id=583

More archive photos at cmu library - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=15

Songkran then and now - Songkran myths

It was a quiet and respectful celebration!

Yes, it sure was quiet back then.

Just look at this absolutely beautiful picture; brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it..!

Grandma and granddad having a go at each other, 50 years on you can almost still hear the noise of that scene!

Elegantly done.

[northernjohn]

I think a better more accurate question would be when did a Ex Pat decide that there was some thing wrong with what has obviously been going on for years and as the population and tourism grow it has grown.

[zeichen]

There are two aspects of songkran. The family oriented religious ceremony. lotnamdamhua which includes making merit at the temple, and honoring the eldest members of the family by gently pouring scented water on them and the lively street party. The first time that people started being over enthusiastic with throwing water was probably with the invention of alcohol. It is a drunkard's holiday now. Most people in general are still respectful throwing water. I can usually make it through the streets to the market and back without getting wet. Usually people will respect you if you make eye contact. Even the wild drunkards still usually just gently splash water on my daughter but usually soak me wicked.

Go to Dihwali and see if it is any different.

[Neeranam]

It changed about 15-20 years ago.

I remeber Khao San Road Songkrans when there were very few Thais. If there were any they would ask before throwing. Now they seem to think throwing in the face is ok.

[Jip99]

I think a better more accurate question would be when did a Ex Pat decide that there was some thing wrong with what has obviously been going on for years and as the population and tourism grow it has grown.

So it was an expat, was it, who extended Songkran in Pattaya to 11th - 19th April ?

I learn something new every day.

[cooked]

My wife tells me that she would go to the temple in the morning and go to work in the ricefields. I like to see the little kids being disrespectful once a year but seeing 13 year olds drunk at 9am isn't funny . Staying at home until Thursday that's for sure.

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Tapatalk 2

[baneko]

Just wondering how and when songkran evolved from a gentle sprinkling to show respect to the elders to the rude, insane, dangerous holiday that it is now??

It's obvious that it is being promoted by TAT, but who threw the first bucket of water and when??

Has anyone been here long enough to remember the original celebration??

We had the old style celebration first where we showered the wifes granny. All family members present and before a prayer.

After into town for the modern Songkran. No farangs at all but some fun and the kids loved it.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[HardenedSoul]

Obviously population density, traffic density and much lower number of tourists then but images in the 1950's show a pretty active party then too.

At Nawarat bridge - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/detail_picturelanna.php?picture_id=583

More archive photos at cmu library - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=15

Songkran then and now - Songkran myths

It was a quiet and respectful celebration!

Yes, it sure was quiet back then.

Just look at this absolutely beautiful picture; brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it..!

Grandma and granddad having a go at each other, 50 years on you can almost still hear the noise of that scene!

This post and the photos linked to therein should be pinned as a lesson to all the whinging grumps who bitch about a tradition that - in stark contrast to what these clowns have read - evidently was NOT limited to the respectful pouring of water over the hands.

I think much of the hostility towards Songkran on TV forums is lies in the mentality these people have

For them, it's far less about the road fatalities and "lack of respect" than it is about "I've retired; I want peace and quiet"

[Jip99]

Obviously population density, traffic density and much lower number of tourists then but images in the 1950's show a pretty active party then too.

At Nawarat bridge - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/detail_picturelanna.php?picture_id=583

More archive photos at cmu library - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=15

Songkran then and now - Songkran myths

It was a quiet and respectful celebration!

Yes, it sure was quiet back then.

Just look at this absolutely beautiful picture; brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it..!

Grandma and granddad having a go at each other, 50 years on you can almost still hear the noise of that scene!

This post and the photos linked to therein should be pinned as a lesson to all the whinging grumps who bitch about a tradition that - in stark contrast to what these clowns have read - evidently was NOT limited to the respectful pouring of water over the hands.

I think much of the hostility towards Songkran on TV forums is lies in the mentality these people have

For them, it's far less about the road fatalities and "lack of respect" than it is about "I've retired; I want peace and quiet"

No.

it is about excesses.

[Ulysses G.]

It changed about 15-20 years ago.

I was here then and it was even wilder than now - at least in in Chiang Mai.

[harrry]

I used to like the way all the police in Bangkok used to wear flowerey pink ploatic shower hats and have their buns in plastic bags.

Edited April 14, 2014 by harrry

[Sheryl]

My first Songkran was 1981 and it was already like this back then. So it has been more than 30 years....

It's much, much better in Cambodia.

[obambulate]

Sick to death of these whining idiots moan moan moan about everything and everyone. Exchange rate, when one got a cold towel given when entering a bar, how the good old days arent the same anymore, prices of large bottles of beer and the tip of the iceberg Songkran and any other festivity that revolves around fun.

It really is time to go home once ones life becomes a continual display of grumbling and protesting.

No wonder so many marriages fail here who would want to live with someone like that day in and day out.

[ripstanley]

Songkran changed in our village this year. It has been very subdued due to a huge wind, rain and hail storm on Friday. Most people were on the roofs replacing tiles. A little activity today.

[impulse]

Sick to death of these whining idiots

It really is time to go home once ones life becomes a continual display of grumbling and protesting.

Hmmmmmmm. Great 3rd post. Puts new meaning into the old college refrain: "Go Ugly Early"

Edited April 14, 2014 by impulse

[sdanielmcev]

GF and I went to a friends house, did the sprinkle thing, went to the temple. Nice and quiet. The kids came back soaked. You can do either one. You got a year to plan. Get off your lazy asses.

[HardenedSoul]

Hmm didn't realise one had to be a member for a minimum period before expressing distaste at the sense of entitlement displayed by some of our more curmudgeonly members.

I mean, what could be more annoying than the old "cold towel" lament?

You know the one. When the sweaty hippo in safari shorts and sandals would enter a bar and expect to be waited on hand and foot by a young nubile who would wipe the sweat off the pock-marked, blubbery expanse that was his back with an ice-cold flannel before massaging his shoulders and his ego in return for the princely sum of 50 baht. Fat chance of that these days.

All I can say is "Roll on, progress".

I support anything that gets these people into better jobs away from the "industry"

Edited April 14, 2014 by HardenedSoul

[Jip99]

Hmm didn't realise one had to be a member for a minimum period before expressing distaste at the sense of entitlement displayed by some of our more curmudgeonly members.

I mean, what could be more annoying than the old "cold towel" lament?

You know the one. When the sweaty hippo in safari shorts and sandals would enter a bar and expect to be waited on hand and foot by a young nubile who would wipe the sweat off the pock-marked, blubbery expanse that was his back with an ice-cold flannel before massaging his shoulders and his ego in return for the princely sum of 50 baht. Fat chance of that these days.

All I can say is "Roll on, progress".

I support anything that gets these people into better jobs away from the "industry"

.... and you needed a Songkran thread to make that rant ?

[HardenedSoul]

Hmm didn't realise one had to be a member for a minimum period before expressing distaste at the sense of entitlement displayed by some of our more curmudgeonly members.

I mean, what could be more annoying than the old "cold towel" lament?

You know the one. When the sweaty hippo in safari shorts and sandals would enter a bar and expect to be waited on hand and foot by a young nubile who would wipe the sweat off the pock-marked, blubbery expanse that was his back with an ice-cold flannel before massaging his shoulders and his ego in return for the princely sum of 50 baht. Fat chance of that these days.

All I can say is "Roll on, progress".

I support anything that gets these people into better jobs away from the "industry"

.... and you needed a Songkran thread to make that rant ?

Wouldn't it have been worse to actually create an entirely new thread about it?

[Jip99]

Hmm didn't realise one had to be a member for a minimum period before expressing distaste at the sense of entitlement displayed by some of our more curmudgeonly members.

I mean, what could be more annoying than the old "cold towel" lament?

You know the one. When the sweaty hippo in safari shorts and sandals would enter a bar and expect to be waited on hand and foot by a young nubile who would wipe the sweat off the pock-marked, blubbery expanse that was his back with an ice-cold flannel before massaging his shoulders and his ego in return for the princely sum of 50 baht. Fat chance of that these days.

All I can say is "Roll on, progress".

I support anything that gets these people into better jobs away from the "industry"

.... and you needed a Songkran thread to make that rant ?

Wouldn't it have been worse to actually create an entirely new thread about it?

Unnecessary - there are plenty of ongoing threads where the rant would/could have applied

[baneko]

Obviously population density, traffic density and much lower number of tourists then but images in the 1950's show a pretty active party then too.

At Nawarat bridge - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/detail_picturelanna.php?picture_id=583

More archive photos at cmu library - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=15

Songkran then and now - Songkran myths

It was a quiet and respectful celebration!

Yes, it sure was quiet back then.

Just look at this absolutely beautiful picture; brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it..!

Grandma and granddad having a go at each other, 50 years on you can almost still hear the noise of that scene!

This post and the photos linked to therein should be pinned as a lesson to all the whinging grumps who bitch about a tradition that - in stark contrast to what these clowns have read - evidently was NOT limited to the respectful pouring of water over the hands.

I think much of the hostility towards Songkran on TV forums is lies in the mentality these people have

For them, it's far less about the road fatalities and "lack of respect" than it is about "I've retired; I want peace and quiet"

No.

it is about excesses.

Excesses for us non naitives or for Thai people?

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[arnold40844]

I am sick to death of people like you constantly telling people on this site to go home.

There is nothing wrong with discussing the idiosyncrasies and cultural differences of life here in Thailand. People come to sites like this to get advice, to vent emotion and share opinions.

I think your opinion is worth less than what i scraped of my shoe this morning, so do everyone in here a favor and keep it to yourself.

Sick to death of these whining idiots moan moan moan about everything and everyone. Exchange rate, when one got a cold towel given when entering a bar, how the good old days arent the same anymore, prices of large bottles of beer and the tip of the iceberg Songkran and any other festivity that revolves around fun.

It really is time to go home once ones life becomes a continual display of grumbling and protesting.

No wonder so many marriages fail here who would want to live with someone like that day in and day out.

[ayayay]

When the young drunk male foreigners began to travel here

[samran]

Given the nature of the OP I think this video is appropriate

http://youtu.be/13JK5kChbRw

[tartempion]

Picked up my 3 year young girl yesterday in the village by car to stay dry, was hit by a bucket of RED water on my way out.

[northernjohn]

Obviously population density, traffic density and much lower number of tourists then but images in the 1950's show a pretty active party then too.

At Nawarat bridge - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/detail_picturelanna.php?picture_id=583

More archive photos at cmu library - http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=15

Songkran then and now - Songkran myths

It was a quiet and respectful celebration!

Yes, it sure was quiet back then.

Just look at this absolutely beautiful picture; brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it..!

Grandma and granddad having a go at each other, 50 years on you can almost still hear the noise of that scene!

This post and the photos linked to therein should be pinned as a lesson to all the whinging grumps who bitch about a tradition that - in stark contrast to what these clowns have read - evidently was NOT limited to the respectful pouring of water over the hands.

I think much of the hostility towards Songkran on TV forums is lies in the mentality these people have

For them, it's far less about the road fatalities and "lack of respect" than it is about "I've retired; I want peace and quiet"

+1

Ran out of likes yours is so good it deserved a repeat showing.