Celebrate Songkran in Thailand

Songkran is April 13 to 15 in 2008 (or 2551 in the Thai calendar) and lasts about a week unofficially in parts of Bangkok and Pattaya. The Thais know how to celebrate and celebrate their new year, Chinese New Year and the year of the new West. Of the three, is the wildest Songkran.
Depending on whom you ask, Songkran is the best or the worst time of year to be on holiday. The main reason - water. Traditionally, a water Songkran Festival and is in the "splash celebrated on other people. In tourist areas of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket has worsened the shower hose, hose super Blasters and burns drunken tourists and locals Pattaya and Bangkok, Khaosan Road, make this festival as a time of crazy and soak in water to another. In addition, a white paste made of flour or talc is to spread awareness on the faces of the people.

If you are in a tourist area or even in a city within the country during the Songkran, you can expect to get wet. Most of the tourist zone, you get wet. Wet, the air conditioning, a bar or restaurant can be very uncomfortable and can cause a cold. There is also the possibility of infection because the water is always clean.
I will not put a damper on the celebration of the new year, I let people know that they can expect a lot of drunk tourists bathe while to see this festival. You can have fun, but you can see the tourists in their absolute worst.
Return to the real significance of Songkran the time to pray the temple is to go and food to the monks. It is also time for the Buddha statues in the temples and monasteries of their houses with water and a pleasant smell clean.
It is also a traditional time for resolutions to do good and refrain from evil and also the time to clean house. Out with the old and new.Unfortunately, it is also the worst year for road accidents and deaths. Wet roads, alcohol and driving without a helmet are a deadly combination. Despite the efforts of the government, the number of party-goers who do not enjoy the New Year too high every year. The annual Songkran not drink and drive campaign in the fall on deaf ears.
Many expatriates in Thailand on land or in the quieter north of the Songkran celebrations in left and outside the tourist areas for visitors. Personally, I can plan my trips so I am far from Thailand for the new year.
Like many things in Thailand is "up" if you experience Songkran. I recommend at least once and then see for yourself, you can decide if you want to do it again.
If you go, be careful or slippery roads and the driver drunk, and remember a lot of sacks in a sealed container lid to bring to your valuables dry.

Photo:oca.thaiembdc.org