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Bucket and water pistol are selling really well during Songkran

Splash..hehe no hard feelings!!

Even the police man gets a powder rub. This is kind of smile that I apreciate, from everyday people, not those in glossy postcards from pretty model waring traditional cloth.

This is what happened when you roll down your car's window.


And these are the folks that give it to ya.

Thai version of Madigras


Talk about Thai smile eh?

When I look around, I see a kid in everybody wanting to go out and play, young and old. There are no strangers, there are no generation gap, no social class, just folks sheding out their formal social gestures and be what they really want to be. No suit, no ties, no diplmatic talks, that can escape the water spray. No fake, comercialized 'thai' smiles today. Its the real thing, and its everywhere, way cooler than Three Musketeers, its about "All for fun and FUN for all" !

This is Thai newyear's day, bringing all of us back to the basic. It seems newyear day more or less define the character of a culture, it shows what people really values. Over in the west, x-mas and new year focuses on exchanging gift, where you have to prepare months ahead of time, saving up money, panic shopping, stressed out about the post-x-mas bills, more worries to add up to an already busy life. It pretty much reflects how complicated and materially driven the western value has become.

Thailand's traditional newyear day, people just prepared to go to a temple and then the kids get wet and wild. This is where sincere smiles and laughter is worth more than any wraped gifts can give. This kind of simplicity is what I really apreciate.

E verything changes, and Thai culture is no exception. As "Modern" Thai people are becoming more materialistic, their lifestlye becomes increasingly complicated. When people starts forming values and expectation based on material ownership, they begin to separate themselves with another by social class "high society", "lo-society", etc; which makes the Songkran holiday that much more valuable. On these few days it seems that water was able to wash away pretentious mask we put on. What's left is a happy face of a child, a kid that has been waiting to jump out and dance. Sort of like temporary reformating rediculous social class. There are rarely any occasion that you get to see this kind of joy & friendly attitude from one "adult", given to a perfect stranger, especially in a busy Metropolitan city like Bangkok. So Songkran will always be special, not only because of the water fight, but because it allows all of us to take a mental break from rigorious work trying to maintain self image just to fit in and to be accepted in this overly-complicated society. Everyone seems to fit in and accepts each other during Songkran. Now that's what I call a real "Happy" newyear.


If you really wanna get wet, ride a bicycle or a motorcycle.


Parades is a common scene on Songkran Day. Every city and decent size town will have one.


They walk in all shape and sizes.


Beauty queen is a must in a parade.


There she goes walking down the street.. singing.. ooo a dee ..;)



Hope you enjoy these images as I did enjoy vdo capturing the event. Like i said, if you are in Thailand during songkran festival, you won't be disappointed, you'll just get WET!
Any comments is welcome. Thanks.



READER'S COMMENT



sawadee ja: Great site. Thank you for sharing...wished I was there. I missed home terribly. michelle.

tomercedes@hotmail.com from caforestry-bh.fire.ca.gov on Thursday, September 30, 1999 at 02:47:39


This page is very good both information and pictures. I will copy songkarn pictures from your weppage for make my home page. I hope you allow me and thank you very much

Jumm/2027-jum.class42@bob.ac.th from cache2.nectec.or.th on Friday, September 10, 1999 at 21:30:32


After long searches for pictures, we finally got them. please put more colourful and attractiove pictures. Thank You.

-- from proxyf8.cyberway.com.sg on Tuesday, August 24, 1999 at 11:26:57


Excellent side. I was in Phuket this year on Songkran day by mistake! I've to admit first I was surprised and little upset being wet all the time, but later I got myself a watergun and started shooting and had so much fun!

James/jbirkan@aol.com from spider-wg021.proxy.aol.com on Wednesday, August 18, 1999 at 14:01:25


I was really happy when I found this page on the internet. I am writting an article about songkran, but found very difficult to find the tale story of songkran. Could you tell me where can I get this information?? Or is there a book in English that I can order.I REALLY NEED TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE SONGRAN FESTIVAL....AS SOON AS POSSIBLE....PLEASE HELP ME HERE. BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS A WONDERFUL SITE. I would like to use this site to show all of my friends what is Songkran, and how Thai people cerebrate it. Thank you very much for the great site.

pokiepo@hotmail.com from dhcp168.lib.upenn.edu on Friday, July 16, 1999 at 04:40:33


Great site indeed! I was lucky enough to be in Bangkok this April for Songkran and it was one wet and wild experience. Warning to everyone - unless you're desperate to get drenched - don't ride a tuk-tuk. Like I did! Basically, this is a great time to visit Thailand and your words couldn't have explained why any better. Most of the wet and powdery action in Bangkok these days centers around Khao San Road area, but anywhere you go, prepare to get wet!

powerbook1@excite.com from saiwanho.pacific.net.hk on Wednesday, June 23, 1999 at 18:17:07


thanks for the great pics!

scott/ comingattraction@hotmail.com from p33-max20.syd.ihug.com.au on Thursday, June 17, 1999 at 22:12:10


Thanks for your beautiful pictures on Songkran, please tell me which city in Thailand celebrate the New Year in the most enjoying way, and when shall I come to Thailand, how many days before and get prepared for this fun fun parties,

angel_1123@hotmail.com from ipg2-065.hkg.com on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 at 12:30:33


I LIKED YOUR STORY ON SONGKHRAN! HOW ABOUT DOING ONE ON FAMOUS THAI PEOPLE BORN IN AMERICA?I AM AN AMERICAN MARRIED TO A THAI ,FOR 15 YEARS.WE HAVE 4 KIDS.I STRIVE TO TEACH MY CHILDREN CULTURES AND TRADITONS,THANKS FOR ALL THE EASY TO UNDERSTAND INFO! SANDRA

KJO700@AOL.COM from spider-tp041.proxy.aol.com on Sunday, May 09, 1999 at 11:04:06


Mann too bad for you folks missing the songkran festival this year. I guess you'll just have to go take a shower with your cloths on! Better not miss it next year. At night things are just as wet and wild!

from truppp2127.inet.co.th on Tuesday, April 20, 1999 at 03:44:15


Hey man, excellent work. Thank you for this informative site. It gave me a chance to show my family one of our holiday celebrations. We went to Bangkok in Oct of '97 it was fun for the whole family! Thanks again.

lonerangerpaul@angelfire.com from 207.14.195.175 on Monday, April 19, 1999 at 11:58:45


Well done! Wet N Smile are all we need in Songkran

h0pe from palo4.pacific.net.sg on Saturday, April 17, 1999 at 18:49:30


Songkran festival, a traditional Thai New Year, is greatly interesting and meaningful holiday. I've traveled Thailand several times but I missed this wonderful holiday.. I'll trying to come back Thailand in this month for celebrating with your guys for this festival. -TB

tlbui@gte.net from pppa13-resalebeaverton1-1r1043.saturn.bbn.com on Friday, April 16, 1999 at 12:31:04


I REALLY NEED TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE SONGRAN FESTIVAL....AS SOON AS POSSIBLE....PLEASE HELP ME HERE. BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS A WONDERFUL SITE. YOU DID A GOOD JOB ON IT. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE WORK. =*)

SiLLi501@aol.com from spider-th041.proxy.aol.com on Wednesday, April 14, 1999 at 08:46:31


Very nice page and pixs. Your pictures helped remind me of how much fun I had when I lived in Thailand. I'm glad to have experienced Thai culture and especially to have met such wonderful people. I miss you all very much. Thanks.

john_s_stein@yahoo.com from sfr-pci-pqu-vty153.as.wcom.net on Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at 22:28:13


I was looking for a site to show my American husband how Thai people go crazy and have loads of fun during Songkran. This site is perfect for it. Thanks! Now I can't wait until we start splashing tomorrow in Bangkok! A very happy Songkran to everyo ne!

booptydoo@yahoo.com from 203.144.245.54 on Monday, April 12, 1999 at 09:17:30


I was looking for pics to show my husband of 1 year about the songkran festival. This is his first time and he is so excited but doesn't quite know what to expect. This site is perfect- thank you. Can't wait til he sees it and can't wait til tomorro w when we start splashing! A very happy songkran to everyone!

booptydoo@yahoo.com from 203.144.245.54 on Monday, April 12, 1999 at 09:10:45


Cheers...great pics and comments :D

schanyap@emerald.tufts.edu from pcp018930pcs.tc.tufts.edu on Sunday, March 21, 1999 at 22:20:24


I am happy you have so nice presentation. I will visit Bangkok 13-15.april and now I know what is waiting me. Thank you for good page

Raivo Allev/r.allev@tallinnlv.ee from cache2.online.ee on Wednesday, March 17, 1999 at 19:02:05


Great site! Great pics! So sad we haven't got songkran here in europe :-( Or am I wrong ???? Is were anyone who celebrates songkran in germany? I would like to see more of this event.

a18p@alf.zfn.uni-bremen.de from uno.mechanik.uni-bremen.de on Tuesday, March 16, 1999 at 14:47:53


Thank you for the great Songkran Festival pictures on your site...What a wonderful experience to enjoy... I look forward to seeing '99 festival pix..

tropiczone41@hotmail.com from ppp42.wman.com on Monday, March 15, 1999 at 08:59:42


After searching the Yahoo website for so long, I think you are the best who introduce the Songkran Festival. I'm planning to go next month and I 'm really convinced by what you have in the picture. Its great, karp koon ka

waikay@pc.jaring.my from j24.brf80.jaring.my on Monday, March 08, 1999 at 23:22:21


After searching the Yahoo website for so long, I think you are the best who introduce the Songkran Festival. I'm planning to go next month and I 'm really convinced by what you have in the picture. Its great, karp koon ka

waikay@pc.jaring.my from j24.brf80.jaring.my on Monday, March 08, 1999 at 23:19:58


Thhis is great what I think is if you can make people look at this more by anyway(it's only a suggestion) we would get more tourist!!!

vimoll@hotmail.com from 194.242.135.194 on Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 03:04:54


I WILL NEVER FORGET THE WATER FESTIVAL THE WETTEST 2 WEEKS OF MY LIFE,AND I GOT EVERY BODY,MY BOSSES,POLICE OFFICERS,ARMY MAJORS & CAPTAINS WHAT A BLAST.YOU AIN"T LIVED TILL YOU'VE EXPIERENCED WATER FESTIVAL "REVEREND MIKE"

REV. JOHN "REVEREND MIKE" RUCHANA / JOHNREV@NETSCAPE.NET from ppp34.webworldinc.com on Sunday, December 27, 1998 at 15:29:54


I WILL NEVER FORGET THE WATER FESTIVAL THE WETTEST 2 WEEKS OF MY LIFE,AND I GOT EVERY BODY,MY BOSSES,POLICE OFFICERS,ARMY MAJORS & CAPTAINS WHAT A BLAST.YOU AIN"T LIVED TILL YOU'VE EXPIERENCED WATER FESTIVAL "REVEREND MIKE"

REV. JOHN "REVEREND MIKE" RUCHANA / JOHNREV@NETSCAPE.NET from ppp34.webworldinc.com on Sunday, December 27, 1998 at 15:28:45


To whom it may concern, you did a terrific job in filming these water festival. I wish I was there celebrating it with the people. By the way, I will be having the water festival at my school UWM university of Milwaukee, WI. Great job! I would like to see more of this event. Sincerely Manisone Inthiraj

inthirm@csd.uwm.edu from 129.89.28.136 on Friday, October 09, 1998 at 02:53:36


I'm a Thai mix. I was born in Thailand but no more. I want to go back!!!! Especialy to