As mid-April is the hottest time of the year, in the past people would sprinkle water among themselves in nice way to bless each other. Also, the bones of the forefathers would be washed, so it was (and is) quite a serious moment for many.
But there is also a more lighthearted side to Songkran; all out water fights with plastic water guns and even fire hoses will erupt in many tourist areas like Phuket or Pattaya, but the same festival spirit can be found also in the Isaan and the north of Thailand. Incidentally, Chiang Mai is quite famous for its lively Songkran celebrations.
Up in Isaan, the festivities have in some places already started -- my girlfriend just drove back to Nong Bua Lamphu to see her family and related to me that Songkran is already in full swing in some places.
Less taken by Songkran is for example Phuket, where water throwing will be on the evening of the 12th and on the 13th and you will get a very bad look if you dare to try this outside those dates.
Songkran in Khorat
Always good for a laugh, the Thai government has tried to tone down the fun, maybe to increase productivity of the Thai state (while at the same time it decided to give an extra day of holidays on very short notice, go figure).
Last year, girls wearing t-shirts and tank tops where outlawed, this year the fight of the police will be against the use of plastic guns. Of course, in the end this is Thailand and nobody will give a hoot...
Sonkran in Soi Bangla in Phuket
Links of Interest:
No comments:
Post a Comment