If you want to really 'immerse' yourself in SongKran and want to be around heaps of gay boys having fun, (yes they will definitely be around and yes usually in a friskier mood) then Pattaya would be the place. As noted already water throwing from 13 through to 19th in Pattaya. I assume the decision taken years ago for Pattaya to have extra days is more about tourist (Thai and foreign) promotion and revenue. Everywhere else in Thailand it stops on the 15th. It probably is just further evidence that Pattaya is 'at odds' with the rest of Thailand in terms of cultural norms and contrary to what Thais would consider as a reflection of their country. Many Thais also head to Pattaya after their own Song Kran for even more fun and these extended dates in Pattaya allow for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by billy2bs
It really makes a bit of a mockery of an ancient Thai tradition by 'allowing' Pattaya to be 'different' in the name of commericialism, tourism and cash. Pattaya does not just exist on prostitution, it even blatently prostitutes itself 16-19th April every year. I'm not knocking the fun had in Pattaya at Song Kran time, as I say it's great fun there but you could easily have the same amount of 'fun' in Pattaya over the normal 3-day Song Kran peroid, only there would not be the same amount of money flowing along with the water.
I went to Pattaya for songkran one year, and while it was great fun, unless you are prepared to enter into the fray 100% it can be a pain trying to go about normal things.
Bangkok is much more 'normal' in regards to Song Kran and I much preferred it to Pattaya. There they respect workers going about their work and allow office workers etc.. to pass without a soaking if they are not already wet or powdered or will only apply a little poweder to the face and not touch the clothes. Even on Suriwong/silom the water throwers kind of 'sought' permission with a look or smile before wetting or powerding if you do not already have water or power on you.
On the night of the 15th in Bkk is great at the Thai clubs. I went to GStar, Rachada and inside was a 'wet' area wilth all electrical and valuable itmes covered in plastic. You got plastic bottles of water and a bag of powder at the door as part of the small entrance fee, and inside was great fun. Boys with all kinds of water guns(not the powerful Pattaya-farang types) and everyone was 100% soaked! The water throwing and powdering inside was a great way of making contact with someone you were interested in. I was with company but found myself dragged from table to table on my own for a 'good powdering'. Don't remember seeing another farang there that night, and the boys were more 'forward' than usual as they were all so happy, mood and booze wise.
Recommend Pattaya for over-the-top celebrations and Bkk for 'normal' Song Kran celebrations!. Personal opinions only.