Water Festival in Thailand
By greenline
@greenline (14838)
Canada
May 22, 2008 4:47pm CST
Have you been to Thailand at a "Water Festival" time ? I happened to be there in the City of Chengmai. That was middle of April , the water festival time. The streets were full , people pouring water on each other. Nobody can get away. I got totally drenched. Everybody singing and happy ! This marked the end of the year, and the day after the water festival is the New Year day.
4 responses
@christine_margot (282)
• Philippines
22 May 08
I have been to Thailand last December. We spent the holidays there. I believe the festival that the Thais are celebrating then was the birthday of the King.
I enjoyed my vacation there and will definitely go back. Maybe next time I will visit Thailand on the month April so I can see how they celebrate the Water Festival.
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
23 May 08
Hello Christine. Thank you for your response. Yes, if you can make it , April is the time. And, as I was saying , be prepared to get all drenched, wherever you go ,
Bangkok , Phuket , Chengmai. But , you can enjoy !
Have a nice day !
@Falang (16)
• Canada
24 May 08
Yep, if you were in Thailand in December I would say it was the King's birthday celebration you saw, especially if you were there at the beginning of Dec, although there's a festival or celebration of some sort going on just about every week somewhere in Thailand. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born on DEC 5th (in the USA) 1927, and preparations for the big birthday bash start weeks ahead of time. I hope you bought a yellow shirt with a Royal emblem on it and wore it every Monday during Dec. Monday was the day the king was born. Thais love to see foreigners (or anyone for that matter) wear yellow on Monday..especially during Dec. Many of my friends in Thailand say that besides King Rama five the present king is about the best and most loved King (Siam) Thailand ever had...and no wonder, as long as I have been going to Thailand he and his third eldest daughter seem to ALWAYS have some project on the go..planting the teak forest, opening a school, getting fish farms set up for some villages, introducing new crops for the farmers up north, and on and on and on. He's quite an amazing dude really. He's a painter, a sailor, does great photography, he's a composer..AND he plays the sax. I think he even wrote the Thai National Anthem. But best of all he and his daughter are there for the people. he's not just a figure head being told by the government what to do. I think it's a well deserved celebration. Wish we had some leaders like him in Canada (and a few other countries)
@TongDaeng (6)
• Thailand
29 Mar 10
Yesss Songkran! Two more weeks for the next one! ^^
I think Chiang Mai is the best place to celebrate it! The only bad thing is if people use water from the river... uhm not good I think! If not they can also use water with ice! whyyy x_x
Be sure u r going to get wet in Chiang Mai so put ur belongings in plastic bags etc coz it will get wet for sure.
The best is the Songkran Procession that ends at Wat Prasingh, in the middle of the city ^^
In Bangkok City is more difficult to find the water war, u can find it sure at Kao San Road (Backpackers street) and last year I think Central World made a party outside for it too!
When people pour water on u it means they bless you so be happy about it!
I remember from my last year in Chiang Mai an old women grabbed my arm and made me go to where she had a recipient with water, how to oppose her! ^^
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
13 Sep 11
I hope I can be in Thailand again, the City of Chiang Mai especially, in the Water Festival time. Okay, I will remember your advice to put all my belongs in plastic bags. But, I will be happy when people pour water on me, now that I know that they are blessing on me. Thank you.
@cuteshe (126)
• Thailand
11 Jun 08
I am here staying in Thailand for the past five years and I can say that I enjoy being here. I love the friendly people, the inexpensive cost of living and the beautiful places that I get to visit from time to time. I love Songkran festival too(water festival),it is their New Year (Buddhist religion), I enjoy having several days off because of that holiday plus I love participating in their Songkran.
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
13 Sep 11
Oh, you are staying in Thailand ! That's wonderfu ! In Bangkok or another city ? Yes, yes, I heard people saying "Songkran, Songkran". There is also a song "Songkran, Songkran", right ? That is indeed a very happy time in the country, all over the country !
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
13 Sep 11
Sawasdi krup ! Songkran Festival is indeed a marvellous festival. That would be great if you can post photos of the festival. Kopkun krup !
