The Strategy of Songkran

[Inspire]

The Strategy of Songkran




Bah Humbug – what a pleasure it was to come to Thailand as a young man in the 1980s and avoid Christmas.

Ok, so it had been fun as a kid with all the presents and better TV for a while during the holidays from school but that started to wane as an adult as the yuletide season began to be dreaded with nothing short of fear.

Yes, coming to Thailand where many didn’t and still don’t celebrate Christmas at all and perhaps the most annoying thing is the “jinger ben” Xmas muzak in the department stores. Easy to tolerate. Even when my children were born it was possible to give a few presents and have the ‘celebrations’ over by 9am before getting back to a pleasant life going troppo in the tropics.

Then came the realisation there was an event in Thailand, initially beguiling in the same way as Christmas for a kid, that was infinitely worse.

Aaaaarrrrrrgh – Songkran

Forget all your cute and traditional blessing of the elders’ hands with scented water. That was becoming as ‘old hat’ as going to church at Christmas even in the eighties. Songkran was already fast becoming a water war with the carnival of carnage on the roads and appalling manners its central feature.

Out with the old and in with the new – ‘forget the traditions and get wrecked and annoy anyone in your path’ became the watchwords of the water warriors that highjacked the old traditions. And if tourists and foreigners and the pandering to them was partly to blame, no one could say that the Thais did not take to it like the proverbial ducks to er…..water.

So what to do? As the pleasure of water fights faded after the very first experience of getting my least favourite bar owner in Soi Cowboy soaked in his own establishment, came the need for a strategy every bit as bah humbuggish as avoiding Xmas.

Basically this revolved around staying home in the early years. Stocking up on videos of TV from the old country. Not answering the phone. Reading. Eating the ample supplies of snacks brought in in advance of the festival.

But as the years progressed I preferred the game of going out, even trying to get things done and all geared around not getting wet and certainly not getting wound up.

Full story: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/strategy-songkran/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-04-16

[chrisinth]

Songkran!

IMO, it depends a lot about people's situations/perspectives here.

Did you come to Thailand especially for the Songkran experience?

Do you live here, not want to get involved and lock yourself away for the duration?

Do you live here, and want to get involved, enjoy the party?

Do you have family here; are you married/living with a Thai?

Where in Thailand are you for Songkran? (This in my experience makes a big difference)

The article states out with the old and in with the new, blaming the changes on the foreigner and not the Thais. This has certainly not been my experience this year. My wife and I had the traditional 'wetting of the hands' cerimony on the first day carried out by the children & grand daughter, and spent the last two days getting soaked and generally laughing too much. Full relaxation with literally thousands of Thais and a couple of dozen ex-pats.

This has been the same (with the exception of the grand daughter) for the last 18 years living in Phitsanulok and I have enjoyed everyone of them. Before that when I was living in Pattaya (2 years) and the 9 years before that as a tourist when i only missed 3 Songkrans during that time, it was certainly a different experience. I can understand why some people get to hate it if this is the only place they have been, it is a different animal that IMHO lasts too long.

Still, Up To You to coin a phrase...................

[elgordo38]

Songkran!

IMO, it depends a lot about people's situations/perspectives here.

Did you come to Thailand especially for the Songkran experience?

Do you live here, not want to get involved and lock yourself away for the duration?

Do you live here, and want to get involved, enjoy the party?

Do you have family here; are you married/living with a Thai?

Where in Thailand are you for Songkran? (This in my experience makes a big difference)

The article states out with the old and in with the new, blaming the changes on the foreigner and not the Thais. This has certainly not been my experience this year. My wife and I had the traditional 'wetting of the hands' cerimony on the first day carried out by the children & grand daughter, and spent the last two days getting soaked and generally laughing too much. Full relaxation with literally thousands of Thais and a couple of dozen ex-pats.

This has been the same (with the exception of the grand daughter) for the last 18 years living in Phitsanulok and I have enjoyed everyone of them. Before that when I was living in Pattaya (2 years) and the 9 years before that as a tourist when i only missed 3 Songkrans during that time, it was certainly a different experience. I can understand why some people get to hate it if this is the only place they have been, it is a different animal that IMHO lasts too long.

Still, Up To You to coin a phrase...................

Yes its all about the coin or lets say dinero sheckles the green stuff=tourism. It has morphed over the years to what it is today. Tourism run wild, murder and mayhem on the roads. Waste of a valuable resource. I am sure a lot of folks received road souvenirs that will remind them the rest of their lives about the "joys" of Songkran.

[DrTuner]

Hardly inspiring.

[irwinfc]

walking on the fun side of Songkran, it gets boring after the second time. the learned ones simply take advantage of the slow life and traffic-free streets, specially in bangkok. if i do need to go out walk amongst the Songkran-naive tourists, i simply wear my tiger look, show them people that i'm not out to play with them, and that i mean business. i snarled at an asian dude for spraying water on my pocket which had my phone in it. i gave him a stern look and i told him i'd force him to replace my phone if didn't stop. i don't mind letting people have their fun as long as they don't do it at someone else's expense.

[Thaidream]

I have nothing against Songkran per se although it has evolved into a drunken holiday that lasts way too long. the carnage on the roads and other alcohol fueled behavior is horrid. Couple that with a serious drought this year and the waste of precious water and this year was a disaster. I agree with the poster who states that it depends where you are. I can go out and about and remain dry as long as I avoid certain spots where the wetness abounds. I wonder how much productivity is lost in Thailand with in essence a 5-7 day holiday where even essential services shut down. I can't think of anywhere in the World that this kind of revelry takes place for this long. In addition, the lack of responsibility to limit situations where people will be hurt seems to have no impact .

I am all in favor of fun and good times and love to have a drink or a beer- but everyone has to know their limit on both fun and drinking. In my 50 years of life in Thailand, I really believe the situation has gotten worse and it all goes back to a lack of anyone teaching people they have to behave responsibly. You want to walk around with a beer in your hand- no problem- just don't bother other people and then drive. You like loud music- no problem but not when other people are trying to sleep. I believe in live and let live and I sure don't want Thailand to become a nanny state like in the West- but my God- how about some personal responsibility and discipline.

Edited April 17, 2016 by Thaidream

[dick dasterdly]

Songkran can be great fun - but not if you're frail, have to travel on a 'bike or be nicely dressed (travelling or whatever).

Unfortunately, there are always going to be a few idiots who don't care about anyone else and think Songkran gives them the license to behave as badly as they like.

Edit - It should be so simple, anyone carrying a water gun wants to play - if they're not, then they don't!

Edited April 17, 2016 by dick dasterdly

[ozyjon]

What a great well written story,,

my sentiments entirely.

[Tapster]

In my part of South Phuket, the wet part of Songkran lasts only one day, 13th April.

In the fleshpots of Patong it's a day or two, I think.

My point is that anyone can stay in for one day so as not to get wet. It shouldn't even be an issue for moaners on Thai Visa.

Surely, it's not unreasonable that (on only one day every year) if you choose to go out, you accept that you may get wet. If you think that getting wet is an unreasonable attack on your personal space, don't go out.

Songkran is a very good-natured national water fight. The 13th April is also my birthday and I'm very happy to party with everyone else on my birthday!

[bazza40]

Songkran is OK if you dress appropriately for the occasion, and waterproof stuff like phones, cash, tablets etc.

The national accident statistics demonstrate Songkran is not the time to be riding motorbikes or scooters.

If I don't feel up for it, I stock my refrigerator with food and booze for three days, and download plenty of Youtube clips.

Around Chiang Rai, Songkran lasts for 5 days; however, it is quite muted.

Edited April 17, 2016 by bazza40

[jesimps]

I live just outside Pattaya. It started here in sympathy with Bangkok on 13th. Feels like it's been going on forever but it's only the 17th! Four more days to go till it finishes locally at sundown on 21st. Too festering long. Even I might join in if it was one day. As it is I'm suffering Songkran fatigue. My ears are also shredded from the base heavy music coming out of my local village for the past week.

[mikiea]

as in all Asian cultures the government pushes these types of holidays at the people and they oblige . it a super boost of cash flow into the market in a very shout time frame . almost every body spends when they normally would not . textiles ,food , entertainment , family celebrations , dining out , beer , peanuts , pizza and of course on girlfriends . it is a true shot in the arm for the local economy thru out Thailand . china audits their economy at the immediate end of spring festival when most in china are near cash broke but the cash flow of goods that were purchased is tremendous . they have 6 festival's a year . it almost makes the country recession proof . almost .

[emilymat]

In Pattaya it hasn't even started yet - the serious water throwing I mean.

I've just ventured out on my motorbike to buy something that I urgently need. Been putting it off all week. This holiday seems to drag on for ever.

Now, if any Thai (or farang for that matter) can tell me what 'fun' there is in a young girl throwing a bucket of water straight in my face on the busy Siam CC road, then I would be very grateful. Even with a full face helmet on it is so dangerous.The only 'celebration' I can think of is that she is desperately doing her bit and trying to make Thailand No1 in the world for road accidents.

Honestly, I'm not a kill-joy and I suspect Tuesday many people will have lots of fun on beach road etc, but this stupidity of throwing water at eye level at motorbikes is inexplicable to me.

[Tapster]

@emilymat

I completely agree!

One or, at most, two days of watery mayhem is enough for anyone.

Pattaya seems to have a much longer "celebration" than most areas.

Why is that?

[Thaidream]

It is the same reasoning or lack of reasoning that allows a Thai person when confronted about drought to utter- " No problem. you just turn on the tap and water will always come out". " This drought is for other people, not us. " They were dead serious and I thought I had heard everything in Thailand. Thai people do not see the connection if it is not affecting them immediately and personally.

[chicowoodduck]

Not to knock the young folks, but as I get older I seem to get smarter....Songkran is just Greek for the word stupid and on so many different levels....killing folks in the name of fun never makes sense to the old guard, but just play on children and never see my face in the Land of Knobs during the middle of April....woo, woo...????

[chicowoodduck]

@emilymat

I completely agree!

One or, at most, two days of watery mayhem is enough for anyone.

Pattaya seems to have a much longer "celebration" than most areas.

Why is that?

Why?? Because all the knobs are in search of their water soaked brains....?

[Jiggo]

Where is everybody....(hissed off for Songkarn again).......roll on the 20th...running out of food.

[smotherb]

walking on the fun side of Songkran, it gets boring after the second time. the learned ones simply take advantage of the slow life and traffic-free streets, specially in bangkok. if i do need to go out walk amongst the Songkran-naive tourists, i simply wear my tiger look, show them people that i'm not out to play with them, and that i mean business. i snarled at an asian dude for spraying water on my pocket which had my phone in it. i gave him a stern look and i told him i'd force him to replace my phone if didn't stop. i don't mind letting people have their fun as long as they don't do it at someone else's expense.

Just how were you going to make him replace your phone?

[smotherb]

It is the same reasoning or lack of reasoning that allows a Thai person when confronted about drought to utter- " No problem. you just turn on the tap and water will always come out". " This drought is for other people, not us. " They were dead serious and I thought I had heard everything in Thailand. Thai people do not see the connection if it is not affecting them immediately and personally.

You must only know the ignorant or uninformed Thais. My Thai friends worry about normal things--their families, their health, the drought, the politics, the economy, even the deaths at Songkran.

[smotherb]

I really don't understand why Songkran is such a pain for so many. I've done many Songkrans in many cities; not much seems to have changed--some say it is crazier, others say it is more dangerous, still others say it is stupid and ridiculous, but most still say it's fun. The revelry is usually in certain areas of towns and villages; so avoid those areas. If you have to go out, take a car/taxi and don't go to congested areas I can't remember the last time I stayed in on Songkran and the last time I was soaked and covered with powder was in Phuket about six years ago--I was out with a group of friends riding around in a VW van with sliding doors on both sides and fully participating in the festivities in the center of the revelry. It seems I can pick and choose when I want to get involved and when I want to be a spectator--and I don't have to stay cowering in my home.

Edited April 18, 2016 by smotherb

[emilymat]

I really don't understand why Songkran is such a pain for so many. I've done many Songkrans in many cities; not much seems to have changed--some say it is crazier, others say it is more dangerous, still others say it is stupid and ridiculous, but most still say it's fun. The revelry is usually in certain areas of towns and villages; so avoid those areas. If you have to go out, take a car/taxi and don't go to congested areas I can't remember the last time I stayed in on Songkran and the last time I was soaked and covered with powder was in Phuket about six years ago--I was out with a group of friends riding around in a VW van with sliding doors on both sides and fully participating in the festivities in the center of the revelry. It seems I can pick and choose when I want to get involved and when I want to be a spectator--and I don't have to stay cowering in my home.

Perfectly valid points.

However, my 'beef' here in Patts is the sheer length of time this water throwing goes on. It started around here last Tuesday and, to date, we have only had the initial 'skirmishes' so to speak. The real mayhem starts tomorrow, a full week later.

Whilst I can choose to avoid driving around for a couple of days (not 'cowering' in the house) it becomes a bit of a drag trying to avoid buckets of water in your face for 8 days.

[smotherb]

I really don't understand why Songkran is such a pain for so many. I've done many Songkrans in many cities; not much seems to have changed--some say it is crazier, others say it is more dangerous, still others say it is stupid and ridiculous, but most still say it's fun. The revelry is usually in certain areas of towns and villages; so avoid those areas. If you have to go out, take a car/taxi and don't go to congested areas I can't remember the last time I stayed in on Songkran and the last time I was soaked and covered with powder was in Phuket about six years ago--I was out with a group of friends riding around in a VW van with sliding doors on both sides and fully participating in the festivities in the center of the revelry. It seems I can pick and choose when I want to get involved and when I want to be a spectator--and I don't have to stay cowering in my home.

Perfectly valid points.

However, my 'beef' here in Patts is the sheer length of time this water throwing goes on. It started around here last Tuesday and, to date, we have only had the initial 'skirmishes' so to speak. The real mayhem starts tomorrow, a full week later.

Whilst I can choose to avoid driving around for a couple of days (not 'cowering' in the house) it becomes a bit of a drag trying to avoid buckets of water in your face for 8 days.

Well, it seems the choice of residence has to come into this somewhere. I live in a big city, but it is not a tourist trap and I do not live in the center of the city where the "action" happens. We went through five days of water hysteria, but I can go outside my house to a bar, restaurant, or store without getting into the revelry. Of course, I take my car if I want to stay dry.

[DM07]

Yeah!

Right!

Get off my lawn!

What a bunch of horsesh1t!

I had friends of my late mom in Bangkok - over Songkran!

We took them out to Silom and they loved it!

(3 people, between 55 and 73/ 2 women, 1 guy)

They loved it so much, they want to come back for IT!

I personally enjoy the 13th and stay inside for the rest.

And by now, I learned to HATE all the sour, bitter holier -than-though- types, who bemoan the loss of "traditions"!

First: there are still many Thais, who prefer the traditional way!

I know some!

Second: there are quiet a few, who have a traditional ceremony first and then join the fun!

I know some of those, too!

Third: it seems, that quiet a bunch of Thais enjoy the wild party!

I am not Thai, but I am among them!

Are there downsides?

Hell, yeah!

But they are mostly popping up, because laws are not enforced!

Especially the ones against drunk driving!

And all you "traditionalists"...what is next for you?

Complaining about Thais, celebrating Halloween or Christmas (much more justified, IMHO!)?

Because you are celebrating it soooooo traditionally?

With truckloads full of presents, piles of food and booze and the fat #@$% Santa Claus?

Give me a break!

You have the right, not to like or even enjoy Songkran!

It's a holiday- go to some beach, stay away from wild parties, spend some time with a book at the pool of your condo or %$#@ off to internet-porn in your room!

But let those of us, who enjoy a certain wet and wild party, enjoy without having to listen to your $#@%&) up whining!

Jeeeeeezussss!