Songkran Festival – aka Water Wars

This is post #100 of this Thai Canuck blog so it is a bit of a milestone for me! We had no idea when we moved to China in 2008 that we would still be living in Asia six years later!. After over 100 postings and 2000 photographs as China Canuck on Travelblog.org, I started this blog when me moved to Thailand last summer. I would like to say thanks to all my readers that have continued to follow our adventures. Little did we know how much life we would be experiencing over the next few years as we walked up the stairs to our condo in Wuhan for the first time that dark winter night all those years ago! And the fun continues! Do I have any regrets?………wait for it………..Are you kidding?

The water carnage continued into Day 4 yesterday but I think it might actually be over today!  We have yet to see anybody that is armed!  For three or four days it has been impossible to walk more than a couple of blocks without getting soaked with water guns and buckets of water. The present day festivities of the Thai New Year are a far cry from the traditional activities that take place every April 13.  It actually has a deep meaning and that is to ask for blessings and to enrich religious intentions.

Housewives clean their respective houses and young individuals show their respect to elders by pouring fragrant water on their palms. More traditional Thais will gently pour water over your shoulder and back while wishing you Happy New Year. If you are lucky, you will be approached and a person will smear white face paint on your cheeks. This is one of the oldest Thai traditions and is meant to ward off the evil spirits. I felt privileged to have this done to me as I walked along the street a couple of days ago but not all foreigners are impressed by this activity!  Songkran is also a time when Buddha images from private homes and temples are cleansed with specially perfumed water. In Chiangmai, Buddha images are taken from the temples and paraded around the streets for this purpose. Also at this time sand is taken to the temples, sculpted into shapes like stupas (chedis), and decorated with colorful flags.

Although these ancient traditions continue, these days you are more likely to be blasted by a high-pressure water gun or have a full bucket of ice water dumped over your head as you walk along the street. Sales of water guns flourish on every block and the whole city turns into a battleground for at least three days. Although you are likely to be doused with water wherever you go, the real mayhem takes place in the centre of town where people gather by the thousands in the downtown core. You will not get very far before you are drenched from head to toe. People blast you from passing pickups that are loaded with guns and water buckets. It is a family activity so you are just as likely to be attacked by a five-year-old as an adult. As you can imagine, the kids really get into it. It is all in good fun and many will wish you Happy Songkran as they  cover you in icy water! Personally, I think it is incredible to see the population of such a huge city having so much fun for so long. There are lots of laughs and hoots wherever you go!

Not everyone gets into the fun and you will see the occasional grumpy person walking along in a raincoat trying to stay dry. Good luck! Some expats actually leave the city for a few days because they can’t stand it and think the whole thing is ridiculous. The following post from a local forum shows the feelings of some folks:

This is about:
–the throwing of water (buckets full) and shooting water guns at passing drivers and motorcyclists, causing and contributing to the injuries and fatalities on the roads. There’s absolutely no reason or justification for it, it’s just plain dangerous.

–simple manners and consideration (or complete lack thereof). As I was coming home in a taxi today, Thais and farangs on the streets were throwing buckets of water on passersby. They weren’t asking. They were just doing it. If someone wants to go out and play water, that’s fine. But if someone has things to do, work or otherwise, and wants to stay dry, they ought to be able to do so without having to stay home for most of a week. Unfortunately, there’s too many people, Thai and farang alike, who simply don’t respect the wishes of those around them.

The first issue is dangerous. The second issue is simply rude and inconsiderate.

I say boo hoo. Some people need to chill out! After my few months here, I kind of agree with this response!  From the old photos posted, the craziness has been going on for several decades. There are just a lot more people involved with the growth in population.

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 … 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”

Well, I have retired here and could care less about peace and quiet. We had a great time walking around and taking part in all the fun. The parties continued into the night inside and outside the numerous local clubs but by the end of the day we were too tired to carry on! But the young crowds were having a blast with all the foam parties and live music everywhere you went. As far as fatalities go, it really isn’t that different from the rest of the year, statistically. Holiday or no holiday, Thailand continues to be the second most dangerous place in the world to drive and during Songkran it seems that everyone blames the numbers on the celebrations.

Anyway, if you want a fun three days, this is a great time to visit the city. If you are looking for a peaceful holiday, you are probably best avoiding Thailand in the middle of April!

The following pics were all taken with an iPhone encased in a waterproof cover!  Hence, many are blurry where water has gathered on the outside of the case, lens, etc. I did the best with what I had to work with!

 

And a little video of the Bangkok Songran festivities!

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