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I experienced the early part of Songkran and was delighted to miss the rest of it. Large gangs of mainly falang pouring or firing freezing cold water over people riding a motorbike. I luckily only got hit twice. Now I know, I hate it. Almost unbelievable that this is allowed to happen virtually uncontrolled.
I arrive in pattaya on Sunday 21st, will it all be finished by then?
Yes, technically it ends at 6pm on the evening of the 19th but you may eperience an ignorant falang who doesn't know the rules playing for a few hours afterwards. It will definitely end by the morning of the 20th.
Years ago I played for two consecutive years and now that I live here I understand so much better the lack of water, drain on the water that we have and the dangers of wet slippery roads.
I forget where I read it but I think it it was written that there were 800 people or 800 people a day died with Sangkran related motorbike deaths. I live in a small group of houses and water has to be rationed by the city or one has to buy rain water from one of these water trucks at abot 20 times the price of city water and a serious effect on the reservior. I never thought I would be saying this but it is a huge concern fo not only my household but the children that we leave behind.
Think about it when you are ready to throw that next bucket of water and take it easy.
Anyway as I have mentioned before, Bangkok celebrates it between April 12th and 15th. It then ends there and moves into outlying cities like Pattaya between 6th and 19th. This year it seemed like they were in full force taking advantage of both dates here in Pattaya. On the 17th, still not the big pary on the 19th, I run to Bangkok where it has already ended and seek shelter until the 21st.
Next time take a moment and read up on the true meaning of Sangkran and festivities. You will see in the old days and still in many proper Thai places and areas that water in silver bowls with flowers scented the water. The younger people extended these bowls to the older people who dipped thier hands in or over the bowls and the younger would scoop some water in thier hands and release it ove the hands of the older Thai.
I am sure that soemwhere this holiday has gone very very wrong.
The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder. Among young people the holiday evolved to include dousing strangers with water to relieve the heat, since April is the hottest month in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100┬░F or 40┬░C on some days). This has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.