If dressed well, with a fresh box of doughnuts then yes – Songkran is annoying. Do you expect me to eat water soaked donuts…? Bastards. For those new to Songkran in Thailand it is the celebration for the Thai New Year where every street, in every town, in every region of Thailand goes a little crazy with mass water fights. There is no escaping them. Prepare to be soaked and don’t expect any help or intervention. If followed by a drive-by bucket mob or hose pipe gang the police are more likely to join them with squirt guns. For locals, it is the perfect time to disappear. Thailand’s longest public holiday. This means we are on the first flight out. Sri Lanka last year, Europe this. Only the revellers remain in the city. My advice? Instead of cowering behind dry doors, embrace the spirit of Songkran and go soak the shit out of people. The best place for this is Songkran on Khao San Road.
Songkran on Khao San Road
Songkran on Khao San Road is traditionally celebrated between the 13th and 16th of April. Can start earlier and last longer. Khao San Road is a notorious backpacker hangout and local Thais see Songkran as the perfect opportunity to give them a proper wash (this is not true). The entire stretch of Khao San Road is lined with water stalls, buckets, water guns, hoses and globs of white paste. The water symbolizes cleansing and renewal, the paste symbolizes protection. Expect both to be slapped in your face. Continuously. The last time celebrating Songkran on Khao San Road was with my mum. Sold as ‘a relaxing day’ of Songkran on Khao San Road. Miraculously she loved it. Despite the crowd’s added enthusiasm to soak the ‘old woman’. She loved the ice water especially. If celebrating Songkran on Khao San Road and need to escape the constant bombardment of water; you can hide out at roadside bars where locals and backpackers drink buckets. Hide your camera on the main stretch if you plan for it to survive. Happy Songkran everyone.
