A splashing good time
Celebrate the Thai New Year at any of the Songkran parties being held nationwide
With tourists staying away from Bangkok because of the political crisis and local residents preferring to stay at home rather than spend their hard-earned cash, pollsters are predicting a quieter Songkran than in previous years.
However, for those in a party mood, there is plenty of fun waiting in various corners of the capital and elsewhere, with Abac Poll’s latest survey indicating that Khao San Road remains the favourite for a splashing good time.
Silom Road is another popular venue among revellers and this year Songkran events are also being organised at the Bang Khun Phrom intersection and under Rama VIII Bridge, in Bang Lamphu at Suan Santi Chaiprakarn, Phra Athit Road and at Lan Khon Mueang in front of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. All run from tomorrow through Tuesday.
Of course, not all urbanites want to take part in water fights, preferring instead to start a new Thai year by making merit at nine of Bangkok’s temples, each of which is said to have a particular auspicious meaning. They are Wat Suthat for good vision, Wat Chanasongkram for victory over difficult obstacles, Wat Arun for a prosperous life, Wat Pho for a happier and more peaceful life, Wat Kanlayamitr for safe trips, Wat Phra Kaew for wealth and rich rewards, Wat Saket for health and Wat Boworn Niwet for a glorious life.
Entertainment company RS Public is playing down the revelry this year, foregoing concerts and encouraging its stars engage in community outreach. The company is participating in the “Seven Dangerous Days” campaign of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s Road Safety Operation Centre in the hope that this year’s Songkran will see a drop in traffic accidents and deaths on the road.
“The death toll increases every year and it’s always down to driving after drinking,” says singer Baowee R Siam. “Too many people are affected by the carelessness and thoughtlessness of the few.”
Lulu and Lala R Siam agree, adding that perhaps Thais would better to revert to traditions of the past.
“On Songkran Day, we should give more importance to our parents and other older people while still having fun with water,” Lulu says.
With so many city residents returning to their hometowns for the holidays, it’ll be crowded in other parts of the country, where the revelry can continue for as long as a week.
In the North, Si Satchanalai in Sukhothai province is organising “Song Nam Oi Tan” with beauty contests, a parade and cultural activities, while Chiang Mai boasts “Prapeni Pi Mai Mueang” with a parade and pouring of water on the prominent Buddha statue Phra Phuttha Sihing.
Closer to Bangkok, revellers in Chon Buri’s Bang Saen can enjoy sand sculpture contests on Wednesday and Thursday while Songkran in Pattaya promises to be as wet and wild as ever from today through April 20 with a range of activities on the beaches and at Lan Bodhi Park Na Kluea.
In Ayutthaya, elephants will be manoeuvring their trunks in front of the TAT office from tomorrow until Tuesday to give punters a good squirt.
Songkran in Sangkhla Buri and Kanchanaburi is celebrated in traditional Mon style at Wat Wangwiwekaram from tomorrow until Friday and similar events are being held in Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan next weekend.
Suphan Buri folk celebrate with beauty contests and concerts in front of the main station today through Monday.
In the Northeast, Nakhon Phanom hosts the “Pleasant Songkran, Thai-Lao New Year” event to showcase the cultures of seven different ethnic groups in the province from today through Tuesday while Nong Khai celebrates by inviting locals and visitors to pour water on the highly revered Buddha image, Luang Por Phra Sai, and party on the Thailand-Laos Friendship Bridge,
Khao Nieo Road in Khon Kaen hosts traditional ceremonies and merit-making until Wednesday and Udon Thani is holding the “Chang Wonder Water Land @ UD Town” from today until Thursday, featuring the biggest water tunnel in Isaan, a spinning show by 50 DJs, performance “The Colour of Splash” that also celebrates of the province’s 121st anniversary and a flash mob.
In the South, Nakhon Si Thammarat goes for the cultural with a Songkran “Nang Dan” parade, an invitation to pay homage to Phra Maha That Chadi Nakhon Si Thammarat and purify the Phra Buddha Sihing at Suan Si Thammasokarat and Hor Phra Shiva from today to Tuesday.
Patong Beach in Phuket takes Songkran to the beach today and tomorrow and Hat Yai goes for the unique with “Midnight Songkran” events at Nipat Uthit 3 Road, Sanehanusorn Road and Wat Mahatta until Wednesday. Koh Samui isn’t far behind, with celebrations being held on Chaweng Beach tomorrow.
As always, revellers are requested to follow Songkran traditions, which include splashing only clean water – no ice or other ingredients – over each other, not getting violent with their water guns and avoiding close-fitting clothes in light colours and spaghetti-strap tops.
