Gaybutton Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Monday, April 13: _____ The Songkran celebrations in Pattaya were not diminished by the insanity over the weekend. Today marks the beginning of Songkran in Pattaya, the traditional Thai New Year. It's almost impossible to believe that just two days ago Pattaya was experiencing the worst turmoil in its history. It's also difficult to believe that in nearby Bangkok people are being killed, hurt, arrested, beaten, threatened, and lord-knows-what else. In Pattaya you never would know anything was going on at all. It was the beginning of the annual Songkran water splashing fun (or ordeal, depending on how you look at it). Out in my area, "The Dark Side" east of Sukhumvit Highway, I observed no water splashing activity at all. However, it has begun within Pattaya. It's easy to get to and from the beach now, but the sporadic revelers are out there, gleefully dousing away. Most of what I observed was on Soi Buakhao. You couldn't go more than about 30 feet before encountering splashers. There was also plenty of it on Second Road and Thappraya Road, the road to Jomtien. I was not on Beach road today, but I imagine plenty of it was also going on there. Friends who live in Jomtien report that the splashing activities got underway today in that area too, as expected. However, once you're at the beach, you're safe. No splashing activity at all there. During this week it's best to seal whatever non-waterproof belongings you're taking with you in plastic bags. Again, you're only going to get doused if you want to get doused. Passengers on baht buses are especially tempting targets for the revelers. The solution to that is to sit up front with the driver. One thing I didn't like at all: I saw several revelers drenching people driving motorcycles. That is definitely against the law and extremely dangerous to do to people. Who do you think was doing all of that, at least from what I witnessed? Thais? No. All of it was being done by groups of drunken farang, most of whom probably don't have the first clue what the meaning of Songkran is in the first place. Quote
Bob Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Songkran was also alive and well here in Hua Hin. And, yes, there were many pasting and drenching motorsy drivers and I never saw a single case where the perpetrator wasn't Thai. Hell, the motorsy drivers (with passengers) are driving right into the sois with the most activity looking for the soaking (and, at times, carrying their own water weapons). Thankfully, I didn't see any accidents as that's always my biggest worry. I've been told that the water-throwing only lasts one day here (although there was some activity around town late yesterday too). I'll find that out tomorrow.... Quote
Guest LastSamurai Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Monday, April 13: _____ One thing I didn't like at all: I saw several revelers drenching people driving motorcycles. That is definitely against the law and extremely dangerous to do to people. Who do you think was doing all of that, at least from what I witnessed? Thais? No. All of it was being done by groups of drunken farang, most of whom probably don't have the first clue what the meaning of Songkran is in the first place. Exactly, GB. I arrived Pattaya Sunday and was astonished at the behaviour of the farang louts. This is my first Songkran festival experience. I can tolerate half a bucket over my head delivered by Thais --- after all, this is THEIR tradition, and the intention I feel is mostly benevolent. But high pressure hoses in the hands of drunken "Eurotrash" , who as GB suggests probably don't understand Songkran in the least??? Sorry if my wording offends, but my tolerance does have its limits. Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 14, 2009 Author Posted April 14, 2009 Tuesday, April 14: _____ The Songkran water splashing activity in Pattaya this year is much heavier than it has been in the past, with much more of it going on in more places, for longer periods of time than we've seen in previous years. Along Jomtien Beach Road, according to some locals, it might as well have been the actual big day. I observed water splashing going on as late as 7:30pm. Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 15, 2009 Author Posted April 15, 2009 Wednesday, April 15: _____ Today I drove down Beach Road, from the Dolphin Roundabout to the new Central Festival shopping mall. Almost as soon as you get as far as the Hard Rock Hotel, that's where the traffic backs up. It might as well have been the big Songkran day. Lots of people at the open air bars giving free ablutions to passers by, especially anyone on a baht bus or motorcycle. There were also lots of pickup trucks filled with revelers and their water barrels. Most of it was squirt guns, but some people were splashing people with full buckets of water. Need I tell you that almost all of that was drunken farang? Second Road was just as "busy." Once I reached Central Road (Pattaya Klang), all of it stopped. So it seems most of the goings on is taking place along the beach and the first couple of roads parallel to the beach roads. Other than that, I really saw nothing at all. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted April 15, 2009 Posted April 15, 2009 Wednesday April 15.... Ubon Ratchathani Drivng the main roads today, I saw quite a few roadside setups with water tanks, and lots of kids/teens throwing water. There were also quite a pickups driving around the main roads with kids and water tanks in the back spreading their joy. I saw no one over probably 20 throwing water, and they were all Thai. It was just a lot of kids having a good time!! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted April 15, 2009 Posted April 15, 2009 In Bangkok around Sathorn Soi 1 and Soi Sri Bumphen areas (near the Malaysia Hotel) there have been several water splashing stations, one not far from Babylon manned by some especially good looking young men wearing just soaked jeans. Ah, would that Sonkgran would come around more often! Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 16, 2009 Author Posted April 16, 2009 I can't figure this out at all. As crazy as things were yesterday with all the water splashing, today it was like a morgue. There was almost nothing going on at all. The most I saw were a very few sporadic water splashers and here and there a few five year old kids with squirt guns. Here and there a pickup truck full of splashers rolled by, but aside from that, nothing. Zilch. On Second Road there were no water splashers at all, that we saw. Coming down Beach Road I saw a grand total of two people out there splashing water. Down toward Jomtien I also saw virtually nothing, and all this was around noon. Go figure. Meanwhile, at the beach one vendor had a very clever idea and he was selling his wares like hotcakes! He's selling heavy duty waterproof plastic bags, perfect for protecting valuables during Songkran. 50 baht each. Here's a couple photos: Quote
Guest LastSamurai Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Can anyone suggest what, when, and where I might observe Songkran activities more culturally substantive than water-throwing (OK, I concede this has cultural roots) in Pattaya this Saturday, 18th, or, more particularly, this Sunday, 19th? What I have in mind is something like a procession of Buddhist statues to be cleansed, etc. I have been told that such actvities will likely occur but what information I've been able to acquire on actual venues is vague and conflicting. Any advice will be most apprerciated. Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 17, 2009 Author Posted April 17, 2009 Can anyone suggest what, when, and where I might observe Songkran activities more culturally substantive than water-throwing The place to make inquiries is at local Buddhist wats. Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 17, 2009 Author Posted April 17, 2009 Friday, April 17: _____ Again today the water splashing was sporadic, but much more than yesterday. Soi Buakhao seems to have most of it going on in town. However, there is still plenty of it along Second Road, Beach Road, and the road leading to the beach. Unless you're sitting up front with the baht bus driver, expect to get soaked. Tomorrow is the prelude to the "big day," so expect everything to escalate tomorrow (Saturday). Quote
Guest TOQ Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 I hope someone can post some pics of the Pattaya Songkran. I cant be there this year john Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Wednesday April 15.... Ubon Ratchathani Drivng the main roads today, I saw quite a few roadside setups with water tanks, and lots of kids/teens throwing water. There were also quite a pickups driving around the main roads with kids and water tanks in the back spreading their joy. Here's some Ubon Ratchathani Songkran pics: Songkran In Ubon Pics Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 17, 2009 Author Posted April 17, 2009 Can anyone suggest what, when, and where I might observe Songkran activities more culturally substantive Have a look here: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008942 Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 18, 2009 Author Posted April 18, 2009 Friday, April 18: _____ Today all the activity has really gotten started, just about everywhere. Even on "The Dark Side" there is a lot of water splashing activity going on, mostly children out there having a wonderful time. If you're out and about today, then you're almost sure to get soaked. That might be a welcome relief. It is HOT out there today! It's like this almost every Songkran - hot temperatures and virtually cloudless skies. If you're going to be out there being part of it, be especially careful of sunburn. Tomorrow, Sunday, of course is the really big day in Pattaya. That's the major Songkran day. From among the Thais, everybody and his brother is going to be out there. Me too! Then, just after sundown, it all stops and those of you who despise Songkran will be safe for another year. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted April 18, 2009 Posted April 18, 2009 Friday, April 18: _____ Then, just after sundown, it all stops and those of you who despise Songkran will be safe for another year. We will return on Monday afternoon. Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 19, 2009 Author Posted April 19, 2009 Sunday, April 19: _____ Today was the big day. It's also the last day for Songkran in Pattaya. I was pleased at how smoothly the traffic flowed throughout the city. Beach Road was closed off to traffic completely, with only an occasional motorcycle getting through. Of course, the entire city was out there and everybody was having a great time. Well, not quite everybody. One of the sights I enjoyed most was the few sourpuss farangs who were out there, apparently out of sheer necessity, trying to keep dry and looking for all the world as if the last time they ever enjoyed anything was in 1956. Other than that, it was all smiles and fun. Here are a few photos: Quote
Guest shebavon Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 Great pics. Songkron on Jomtien. Wall to wall people from Dongtan, South past Chaiyapruek. Water, water, everywhere but not a drop to drink. Well, maybe for a small fee. Wet T shirts everywhere. Heaven. Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 19, 2009 Author Posted April 19, 2009 Great pics. Thank you. Actually I have many more, but they're all similar to the ones I posted. I think it also ought to be noted that most people I observed were quite polite. Vendors were all over the place, selling everything from food and drinks to masks as in the photo above. I saw no one spraying water on them at all. The farangs who really wanted to keep dry, and indicated that to the revelers, were mostly left alone, although there was no way to be out there without at least getting spritzed at least a few times. In my case, every time someone wanted to rub the powder on my face, they all had the courtesy to ask me if it was ok. That was every single time. I was perfectly willing every time because I knew that about ten feet further on there would be plenty of water to rinse it off. They love it when the farang are willing targets and I was offered more partying, drinks, and food than I could handle. Obviously I couldn't take photos of everything without getting my camera ruined, but I did my best. And the best part was there were so many boys out there, shirtless or soaking wet shirts, that it was well worth the constant dousing. I met plenty of boys I had never seen before and now have phone numbers for every one of them! I'll start working on that tomorrow . . . I know that many of you absolutely loathe Songkran, but I had a hell of a good time and I'm sorry the day is over. For those of you who have never experienced Songkran and are not afraid of the water, I hope you can be with us next year. Quote
Guest Oogleman Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 Lovely pics and nice report. Im determined to make it next year. or maybe i can stage my own version in 2 weeks time. You game GB? Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 19, 2009 Author Posted April 19, 2009 You game GB? Absolutely, especially if any of the boys join in. Quote
Guest TOQ Posted April 20, 2009 Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks for posting the local photos. I didn't get a chance to make it to Pattaya this year for Songkran. :( Maybe next year john Quote
Gaybutton Posted April 20, 2009 Author Posted April 20, 2009 I didn't get a chance to make it to Pattaya this year for Songkran. Last year you posted some excellent photos of Songkran in rural Thailand. What about this year? Quote
Guest TOQ Posted April 20, 2009 Posted April 20, 2009 Last year you posted some excellent photos of Songkran in rural Thailand. What about this year? Here are a couple of links http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4426 http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4429 john Quote
