will Chiang Mai Songkran 2016 be cut short like in Bangkok?

[wileycoyote]

I'm still hoping that Pattaya is reduced as well !

[FolkGuitar]

Let's hope it's cut to one day. Songkran is like a big Turkey dinner... The first night it's delicious, but having leftovers for the next three days gets really tiresome.

I thoroughly enjoy one full day of revelry amidst the crowds, But that's enough. It's a matter of gourmet vs gluttony.

That saying being is you are not Thai and for most Thais, it is let your hair down and get drunk, see old friends and family and have fun. I love the full three days and am in middle of it just about the whole time. Several bottles of Johnny and all my Thai friends and in all honesty, I have not had a better time anywhere in the world.

If your not up to it, stay in doors and just let the Thai people (an others) have a great time. No farang has the right to say otherwise an neither should they as it is not their (farang) festival by all rights.

Let's start off with the fact that I'm not 'telling' anyone what to do.

Neither am I stopping anyone from enjoying themselves.

That you need several bottles of whiskey to get through three days is entirely up to you. I enjoy a G&T in the evening... sometimes.

However, I DO most certainly have the right to express my opinion about it.

I thoroughly enjoy one day of the festivities, the music, the laughter, and camaraderie, etc., just as I enjoy a nice cake. I just don't enjoy eating it three meals a day for four days. That you do is fine.

Don't worry, you have a opinion on just about everything here in TV where I do not an that is the difference between us is.

BTW, I do not drink. I just supply the contents as I am just a "camaraderie" type of guy an my partners business does well an for just a few short days, she can let her hair down an not worry about things for a while on a business sense.

I think most farangs do not understand how much pressure many Thai's are under and why Songkarn is such a special occasion. For some it is the only time they get to spend with their families as many will head home.

Having an opinion is precisely what forums are for... Why do you find that offensive and need make sardonic replies?

I'm sure that most farang are very happy that the Thais get to go home. I'm not quite sure how you equate that with dumping ice water on people for four days, but I won't presume to ask, nor do I really care. I imagine you have your reasons.

Like the Full Moon Party on Kho Phangan, Chiang Mai's Songkran festival certainly isn't the party it started out as. Not to suggest that the water throwing hasn't been going on for many years, just that the water throwing part has evolved far from its intended cultural roots. One rarely hears a wish for a happy new year from a person with a water canon in their hand.

Edited March 16, 2016 by FolkGuitar

[LivinLOS]

I've had lots of ice water dumped on my head. Lots of it thrown at me from behind. But I've only had buckets of water HURLED directly into my face from a meter or two away... by foreigners. Never Thais. There ARE some things about Songkran that I could do without.

Years ago on Phuket I had a mid size sportbike.. and because of Phuket bike week happening the weekend after song gran, I wanted to get it serviced and left it late.. It was the day before water play but it had started in a few clusters in small spaces in Patong. I decided to ride my bike to the mechanic the other side the island.

Through town, some water play, stopped and was wetted, all calm and safe..

Left town.. 100% dry.. In Kathu on a open rd.. No one visible at all.. I ride up.. maybe 80 kph..

Some old granny, was hiding behind a parked truck, leapt out and swung a full washing bucket, full in my face, while I was doing (even emergency braking 60 kph).. Take 10 kilos of water in the face at 60 and see how it feels...

I come to a sliding halt.. Turn around and she is in stitches of laughter.. Ohh the comedy.. I just nearly sent you to hospital.. She must have been 50 if she was a day.. thats the maturity and sense level.

I am not that Anti SG.. I like a day of it.. I can enjoy and get down.. But to characterize the idiots as being only farang ?? Well where is it that does this ??

[FolkGuitar]

I've had lots of ice water dumped on my head. Lots of it thrown at me from behind. But I've only had buckets of water HURLED directly into my face from a meter or two away... by foreigners. Never Thais. There ARE some things about Songkran that I could do without.

Years ago on Phuket I had a mid size sportbike.. and because of Phuket bike week happening the weekend after song gran, I wanted to get it serviced and left it late.. It was the day before water play but it had started in a few clusters in small spaces in Patong. I decided to ride my bike to the mechanic the other side the island.

Through town, some water play, stopped and was wetted, all calm and safe..

Left town.. 100% dry.. In Kathu on a open rd.. No one visible at all.. I ride up.. maybe 80 kph..

Some old granny, was hiding behind a parked truck, leapt out and swung a full washing bucket, full in my face, while I was doing (even emergency braking 60 kph).. Take 10 kilos of water in the face at 60 and see how it feels...

I come to a sliding halt.. Turn around and she is in stitches of laughter.. Ohh the comedy.. I just nearly sent you to hospital.. She must have been 50 if she was a day.. thats the maturity and sense level.

I am not that Anti SG.. I like a day of it.. I can enjoy and get down.. But to characterize the idiots as being only farang ?? Well where is it that does this ??

There are stupid people everywhere.

Can't speak for Phuket, but here in Chiang Mai, it's many farang who make it a 'fight.' Most of the Thais make it a game. I rarely see 'aggression' from the Thais.