They call it the Songkran festival, the official name, but to most people it is the Water Festival. If you are planning to visit Thailand in mid April, let me remind you, be prepared to get wet. Songkran does not mean it’s the rainy season, nor is it the start of the northeast monsoon. Some folk think if they carry an umbrella or a raincoat then can mannage. They are mistaken, not during Songkran. Anyone, no matter who they are, is going to get wet when they appear in public. I have known tourists who thought they were immune and, instead, found they were the targets of a good dousing and much laughter.
But I should explain. The Songkran Festival for the Thais is a very serious occasion. Technically speaking, Songkran in Sankrit means a move or change. Most people think it means something else. In this case, it is the change in the position of the sun as it moves from one zodiac to another. When it moves from Aries to Taurus, it is specifically called “Maha Songkran,” which falls, this year, between April 13 and April 15. The Thai people consider Songkran as the Thai traditional New Year and their national holiday.
The legend of the Songkran Festival, recorded at Wat Phra Chetuphon, has it that a wealthy but childless man was humiliated by a drunken neighbour who had two children. The drunken neighbor boasted that the wealthy man’s riches would vanish when he died. But the drunkard’s children would grow and pursue a family of their own and, thus, the drunkard would live on. I never did learn what the moral of the story is, but it makes a good tale and a reason for drinking during Songkran, although that is not the objective.
It’s amazing how a water festival can attract so many people. What tourists see only, of course, is the splashing of water everywhere. For Thais it’s something else. Thais clean their houses thoroughly prior to the Songkran celebrations and, on Songkran day, merit (offering) is made at Buddhist temples. Children show their respect to elders by performing the water ceremony of pouring water into the palms of parents’ and older relatives’ hands. But out in the streets people splash water on one another. Songkran normally lasts for 3 days and is called 'Home Coming Day' as families have get-togethers. This year it will be longer.
The most visible sign is this 'splashing of water' in the streets. It goes on all day from dawn until dusk. It's usually far more than 'splashing' and anyone who ventures out is in for a good soaking and a liberal coating of perfumed powder on the face!
Almost everyone joins in the fun. People fill the backs of pickup trucks with huge containers of water, buckets and water cannons. Friends and family join a slow moving procession through the streets. Even the policemen, in full uniform, gladly submit to a soaking—but making sure to keep their hand radios in a plastic bag.
If you do want to go out into the streets, here are some tips:
*Pack your cameras, purse, wallet and cell phone in a plastic bag when you go out. However, don’t count on the plastic bag keeping them dry.
*Buy a cheap water pistol and have it handy in self defense. 
*In case you don't want to stay in wet clothes for long, or if you have something else to do on the day, keep a spare set of clothes and put them in a waterproof rucksack. Chances are they will still get wet.
       If you want to go out, but don’t want to get wet, do the following:
*Keep your car and taxi window closed. If you are on a non-air-conditioned bus and the windows are open, sit near the aisle. This is not a guarantee that you won’t get wet.
*When somebody approaches, don't trust him or her. Cabdrivers have been known to pull out water pistols and squirt passengers when they drop them off. And certainly don’t trust your best friend, if they are Thai!
Generally speaking, water festivals are clean fun. Keep it that way. Avoid streets where there are klongs, or canals. Thais may load their water pistols from the klongs. You are fortunate you are not in India during their water festival. They mix coloured dyes with the water that they throw.
Back to Thailand, without coloured dye. If you want to have the most fun, take a boat ride on the river. Everyone gets wet on the river. Even fire fighting boats join in the fun, and when they hose down a boat it may be enough to put the boat under.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has designated April as the month of the Water Festival 2008. They expect this to be the biggest Songkran Festival ever. To meet the demand of travellers, extra planes, trains and buses will be put on for Songkran from April 13  17.
Thai Airways International, the national carrier, will be adding extra flights and using bigger aircraft on some international and domestic routes out of Bangkok, including those bound for Phuket, Chiang Mai, Beijing and Shanghai.
The State Railway of Thailand will increase the number of carriages per train to serve an estimated 130,000 travellers per day, or 15,000 per day more than its regular workload.
Still, don’t be disappointed if you can’t find a seat. But what you don’t have to worry about is the heat. There will be plenty of water, no matter where you are, to cool you off.
Next week I will take readers to Beijing.  There are things to see and do other than the Olympics. 

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Dear Mr. Stephens. I would like to know more about what Royal Orchid Holidays has to offer. Do you have any infomation you can pass on. Thank you. Betty Allison, Sydney

Dear Ms Allison. When you open THAI website, go to the column on the Home Page and open SUPER DEALS. Here is some of the information you may want. Also check with THAI offices abroard when you purchse your ticket. —HS

Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail:   ROH Weekly Travel

Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited.

Back to Index 

Songkran water festival

Run while you can or get wet

It's real, a water pistol

Everyone gets into the act

Grin and fact it, there is no escape on the streets

Robin Dannhorn shows that only a few drops are
required

To save getting splashed jump in

Why don't musicians at a festival get wet?

Royal Orchid Holidays joins in the fun

Trying to escape with no avail

Elephants have fun too

Not only Thailand but Brisbane has water festivals too

Next week we see what in happening in China