Songkran - Thai New Year

If you are going to be in Thailand during the Songkran Festival (13-15 April) be prepared to join in the fun and get soaking wet. After all April is the hottest month of the year and what better way to cool down than by being drenched with a bucket of ice cold water.

The origins of the festival which are often overlooked is that is traditionally the time for families to get together and for younger relatives to show respect for the elders. In the past junior family members bathing the hands and feet of their elders and asking for forgiveness for the bad things they have done in the previous year did this. In a lot of ways there is a similarity in the traditions with Chinese New Year. But then that should not be surprising as many Thai can trace their roots back to Chinese origins. On 13th, the first day of Songkran one is meant to clean ones house, pay respect to your family and visit the temple. The Thai New Year doesn't start until the 15th, the 3rd day of the festival.

Songkran is a time when workers in Bangkok from outside of town, head back home in droves. All forms of transport are booked months in advance and if you don't have a reservation, forget it, you are going nowhere. It is actually a nice time of the year to be in Bangkok, for the Songkran period it is relatively deserted.

In Bangkok the place to go for fighting with water is Khao San Road. Everyone is out to soak each. Thai take great delight in drenching foreigners and it's the one time of the year when you can throw a bucket of water over a policeman and get away with it. Sabai dee Song Kran but best not in your own area as the next time you that ever so slightly illegal U-turn with your car you will pay the premium.

While up in Chiang Mai the action is centered around the city moat. There you will also see the beautiful parade of Buddha images and watch people respectfully splash them with water.

But if you don't want to get wet, best stay indoors and miss all the fun.