Growing up in the U.S., I never had the opportunity to celebrate the New Year’s festival, or songkran, and what fun I have been missing! In Thailand, songkran is a festive occasion with everyone out on the streets splashing water on each other. You’ll see pickup trucks with an army of "splashers" equipped with water canons, buckets, and barrels of water ready to drench every unsuspecting passerby on the street. Everyone is in a joyous mood, and returns a smile even after being ambushed. My friends and I started the day heading towards Soi Kao-San, a street well known for its inhabitants of Farangs (Westerners), and a good target for our aqueous-arsenals. We made our way towards the strip and found ourselves deadlocked in the traffic jam of vehicles heading in the same direction. We pulled out our giant syringe like weapons, made of PVC tubing, and started sucking water from the barrel tied to the back of our pickup truck spraying everyone in sight; needless to say, we were immediately greeted with friendly-fire from all directions. People were roaming the streets with their water rifles and backpack reservoirs, some of the people with talcum powder/flour mixed with water coming up to the trucks whitefacing their victims, whom mostly returned cheerful smiles, and a few cunning groups came stocked with a supply of ice water to make it a really memorial event. As evening approached and our water supply dwindling, we decided to work our way home; the daytime experience was exhausting, so some rest and dinner would be needed before we could begin our second assault of songkran at the nightclubs in Bangkok. After recharging our batteries, we headed to some of the local favorite nightspots to see how the action was brewing. As we approached the entrance, it was like a scene from a gangster movie shootout; our cameo-appearance was followed by an encore of water pistols pointing at us from every direction, but before we could even enter the establishment, we were drenched by the aqua-bullet crossfire. What’s usually typical at these places when it’s not Songkran, are men and women dressed up to impress the opposite sex, with cool and nonchalant mannerisms that would make James Dean look like a nerd, but during songkran, the social masks were left at home, and it were as if Peter Pan and Pixie came by with pixie dust and made everyone children again. Halfway through the night, the floor was flooded up to my ankles in water from the festivities. The live band continued to jam but occasionally requested that water wasn’t splashed on stage because of the electrical equipment, which made me ponder the thought of what would happen if one of the musicians dropped his electric guitar on the floor… if this would be the grand opening of Human Sizzlers. Despite that thought, the fun continued on with everyone as happy as children during Christmas. There were exchange of water shots, smiles, phone numbers, and drinks. What a great way to meet people! We left the pub at closing, and on that note, songkran has been one of the most memorable times in my life. The only thing sad about the event, is that it had to end… but there is always NEXT YEAR!!! By: Don Chumsai

wonderful pictures!!! great site. I'm thai but was raised in Canada so I am a farang in my owe country. This year i was there baby, at Songkran and it was a blast! What made it all that special was the Thai people, I love them all, the greatest people on earth. It is the land of the SMILES alright and I cry every time I leave Thailand because the western way of life don't even come close to what Thailand has to offer. cheers and keep smiling, ickky. Nopporn eric Richardson <eric.richardson@sait.ab.ca> from 142.110.131.231 on Friday, May 26, 2000 at 01:21:33 I haven't been to Thailand in 15 years and would like to go back. E-mail me if you're planning to go in 2001. I can't read Thai and don't want to get lost!!! I was too young to remember songkran and would like to enjoy it. sunflowers <sunflowers4u007@aol.com> from 63.66.166.114 on Tuesday, May 23, 2000 at 19:49:59 I Bob from 1cust131.tnt3.adelanto.ca.da.uu.net on Thursday, April 13, 2000 at 11:31:51 Looking forward to my first Songran this April please advice when is the best time to arrive Changmai and last until which date, Thanks jamesysk@asia1.com JamesYsk <jamesysk@asia1.com> from palo9.pacific.net.sg on Thursday, March 23, 2000 at 09:47:42 If you realy want to enjoy songkran just go to silom st. and enter patpong 1&2. see u 13 April 2000...hhhhaaaaa Cliffy <patpong70@hotmail.com> from 194.170.163.8 on Wednesday, March 22, 2000 at 19:41:51 Anyone from SriSaKate? Looking for a way to Email a friend. Peter <p.schnitzler@wxs.nl> from proxy03.wxs.nl on Sunday, March 12, 2000 at 07:09:04 I have been to 3 Songkran celebrations.One time in Phuket, one time in Bangkok and one time in Chiang Mai.It has been very fun every time to celebrate this event but Chiang Mai is surely the place to celebrate to Songkran.But if you go there be sure to make reservation on air ticket and room in time since many Thais and foreigners go there to celebrate Songkran. Have a good time. Sincerely, Martin from Sweden Martin <penampang@bigfoot.com> from du70-24.ppp.algonet.se on Sunday, March 05, 2000 at 02:19:57 I am planning a trip to thailand and I was hoping that you could help me out with some info on some fun places. plus I would like to get to konw some international people. I am 20 yrs old. I am looking into the acting/ modeling industry and have been to places like japan (2 times) and mexico (4 times). hope to hear from some of you matthew <m_dazey> from pppa3-resalesanjose1-3r1016.saturn.bbn.com on Sunday, February 13, 2000 at 20:11:01 nice pages ! I am from ICELAND. Iwas in Pattaya last SONGKRAN and I am missing all that happy smiles.So I think I will be in Pattaya next SONGKRAN to. Aevar Jonsson <aevarjonsson@hotmail.com> from heggur.rsp.is on Thursday, December 30, 1999 at 20:51:56 nice pages Don. i just returned from spending 2 weeks in Bkk. i'm already planing to return in April. SEE YOU THEN!! Darryl <darryl@darrylsplace.com> from pool0446.cvx21-bradley.dialup.earthlink.net on Monday, November 22, 1999 at 13:44:12 i'm a french male, i should meet, write to asian female who interest readings, human sciences, research, psychology, sociology, philosophy. I hope u! Vincent <Vincent.Daussy@justice.fr> from leonard.oleane.net on Thursday, October 07, 1999 at 13:28:27 looking for jungphon saisim former studen at a.b.a.c . ramkhamhang artee <cute01@gateway.com> from 1cust220.tnt1.grapevine.tx.da.uu.net on Friday, September 03, 1999 at 11:58:06 do you want to get wet...... go out when it a rainy day............. get yourself wet and run around.......... i think if fun and enjoy your life... Nouvone <Nouvone@usa.net> from 204.0.13.4 on Tuesday, July 27, 1999 at 01:45:29 the picture it not enough in here ilada <mchantakam@aol.com> from spider-wg061.proxy.aol.com on Tuesday, June 22, 1999 at 14:28:06 It's great that you guys talk about how the thai new year was in Thailand, but i think that it would have been better if you guys had the history down too. Annie <Thailove81@aol.com> from spider-wk053.proxy.aol.com on Monday, June 21, 1999 at 05:04:02 What a great way to get wet and enjoy one`s self boobtube <boobtube@hotmail> from 203.33.121.67 on Friday, June 04, 1999 at 17:40:40 Sounds like a blast. Where exactly are these wet-wild night clubs at? get-wet from truppp2136.inet.co.th on Monday, May 24, 1999 at 08:56:18 Please post your comments on this page. Enter your message in the form on your right. Name: E-mail: Your Message: *