Songkran 08

Thailand is a blessed country and never been in war for hundreds of year. But few days ago, bangkok declared in Water War, the Songkran. I was there to witness the fun and wet festival.

With the huge tourist flooding into bangkok every year, the New Bangkok Airport is believe to be the biggest rival to KLIA and Changi in South East Asia. Nevertheless, the airport seems to be somewhat lacking, still can see bare concrete finish columns and beams, too much exposure of sun light in the afternoon and the cracks on runways always a treat to the safety for passengers. The traffic was terrible by taxi going to city from airport. Hopefully this will improve after the electric powered train is fully in operation.



In the Departure Terminal, there is a very famous stature of human-like and fierce-looking gods making milk with the help of a snake. Friend once told me but I forgot the story behind the stature. It is quite a knowledge discerning the Thai gods and the evil ones. Different color of god represent someone and something. We were once joined a hotel cultural program to have traditional dinner with traditional show in a traditional wooden house. There we were briefed about the gods and how to understand their emotions through their actions. We were brief in the palaces too about the war between Thai gods and the evil ones. By the way, these gods and the stories is similar to the one found in Angkor Wat of Cambodia. In Cambodian religion, there is also a serpent with 7 heads which was once the evil one but then turn to good help the gods to win over the devils. In Thai, the snake has only 4 heads. Haha i cant tell you anymore because i have forgotten all the stories.





The Thai New year was a three-day celebration. Starting from 1pm, people start gathering on the street. By 2pm the street basically almost fully filled with people with water guns and with a bowl of powder liquid. During Songkran, people touch each other faces with powder as a traditional way of blessing. I wonder shooting water also a way of Thai blessing? but certainly fun!



The festival will since then carry on through the night and ended after midnight. The street is packed with people and I hardly move my step forward. I supposed to meet a friend at BTS station. Taxi was stopped by police from entering the area but it's okay because it was just few minutes walking distant. BUT, it took me 1 hour !! to finally meet up with my friend and both of us wetly soaked !!









Yes, everybody should get wet, either tourist, women, the old, kids, just everyone. This is Songkran and one should have basic knowledge about the festival, people splashing water at each other! If you get wet, you can shoot him back with water but if you dont have water for a revenge, then bow smile and say happy new year and thank you! This is the basic attitude during this festival. I myself nicely dressed was splashed on water and powder, but still squeeze out a big smile, gee...
















Variety of water guns for your choice! Some use bucket, water hose and i saw someone even resort flower watering pot!! haha
















N0t only real people get blessing, sign board, advertisement and public phone and booth too!!