Songkran 2009

Post by **John HH** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:50 pm

Hi All

I was hoping someone might be able to provide me with some information please on Songkran 2009 in Hua Hin.

I'm aiming to arrive in Thailand the first week in April for a few weeks and as I understand it Songkran is the 13th 14th and 15th of April however I've heard it can occur at different times elsewhere in the country i.e. Chiang Mai and Pattaya. so was wondering what dates it is celebrated in Hua Hin? How long it goes on for (I've heard in Pattaya it lasts for a week!).

I've never experienced Songkran and would hate to miss it by a day or 2 and am fairly flexible in what dates I arrive in LOS.

Many thanks in advance

John

Post by **buksida** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:47 pm

Its usually on the 13th in Hua Hin and only lasts for one day here.

Here are the photos from last year:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/hu ... t8886.html

Post by **Jim** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:02 am

cheers Buksi, that brings back some very wet memories. In so many ways.

Post by **John HH** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:04 am

Thanks for the info Buksida, great photos by the way.

Just one more question do the water fights continue throughout the evening and night? I don't mind being soaked during the day but if I'm venturing out at night and dressed up I'm not so sure.

Cheers

John

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:18 am

My experience is that it usually kicks off from about 4pm the day before (in a few bars), and generally stops in most places by about 7pm the next day. However, you will still find a few pockets of resistance for a couple of days.

Post by **sandman67** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:58 am

This is a pointless post, as Im preaching mostly to the converted, but hey....maybe a few backpackers may read this and be warned

this Songkran I resolve to:

1) Not stand by whilst my missus allows pissed up farangs to spray water all over the electronics in the bar, or her Thai friends to coat the inside of the bar in white powder, leaving me to pay for and fix the damage:

and

2) Ensure anyone that does decide to use my bar as a playroom remembers Songkran 2009 not for the happy fun filled memories, but for the bumps lumps and scars I will put into their heads care of a pair of size 12 steel toecapped engineer boots.

Be warned ye revellers....have your fun outside in the street.

Dont spray me with water....Im just as likely to punch you in the face as laugh.....especially when Im sitting quietly reading a newspaper in my bar.....

it aint Songkran...its the pissed up semi-violent "foodfight" farang version....

and I for one aint playing this year.

This year you ARE gonna be leaving it outside.

Thai or farang...spray my stereo or bar with water and I will introduce you to clog dancing...

the hard way.

Fellow bah humbug misery gutses are free to join me at the far end of the bar

Post by **John HH** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:10 am

sandman67 wrote:this Songkran I resolve to:

1) Not stand by whilst my missus allows pissed up farangs to spray water all over the electronics in the bar, or her Thai friends to coat the inside of the bar in white powder, leaving me to pay for and fix the damage:

and

2) Ensure anyone that does decide to use my bar as a playroom remembers Songkran 2009 not for the happy fun filled memories, but for the bumps, lumps and scars I will put into their heads care of a pair of size 12 steel toecapped engineer boots.

Be warned ye revellers....have your fun outside in the street.
Dont spray me with water....Im just as likely to punch you in the face as laugh.....

it aint Songkran...its the pissed up semi-violent farang version....

and I for one aint playing this year.

This year you ARE gonna be leaving it outside.

Spray my stereo or bar with water and I will introduce you to clog dancing...

the hard way.

Fellow bah humbug misery guts are free to join me

I take it that its not the happy go lucky celebration that has been made out to be then?

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:39 am

Sandman,

Whilst I fully understand, and respect your views - I think it would upset me as well. Also, I guess clearing up the damage to the technical bits will fall to you. However, has something changed ie in March last year you told us

I own a company back in the UK, so why I would chase the paltry (by comparison) profits of any bar in HH is illogical. The bar is Amys and Porns....I don't have to chase dollars as I'm very nicely off thank you, and they don't chase dollars...they run a business.

and

now, with her own money, has bought half a share in the bar must surely indicate she isnt your average bar lass, and is actually a good business woman.

Post by **caller** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:46 am

It's a blast - I had my first one last year! My step-son even appears in one of Buksi's photo's!

I had a great time, just leave all inhibitions behind.

Post by **sandman67** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:49 am

no

the "happy go lucky" festival as you call it is in fact a day or two where running an open front bar means you are constantly trying to explain to pissed up people that water and electric dont mix, and smearing white face powder mixed with water over your walls and bar top means a costly decoration job. Your Thai missus saying mai pen rai just makes it all the more frustrating and expensive;

it means a couple of nights riding round town on your bike constantly being doused in freezing water, despite the fact you are going at 30kmh at the time with a car two inches off your arse;

it means whilst riding home at 3 am along a bendy dimly lit road a gang of drunken thai teenagers think it will be a laugh to physically hijack any bike rider passing along the road to throw water down their backs.....and get stroppy and physical when said rider does not see the funny side of their hijinks....

of course kicking the living crap out of said teenagers then throwing them into the canal is an irresponsible, culturally insensitive and farang thing for a couple of farangs to do during this "happy go lucky" festival....

Songkran is a family festival...not a free for all water fight come pissed up stupid contest. That version started with a few drunk Aussies in Chang Mai, and a few years later even Thai teenagers cant remember what real Songkran is about......

Ill give you a clue...

it does not feature either water pistols/buckets or eye blinding via white powder pastes....

Im not even Thai...so why the hell should I let you run free (ie screw my business up and cost me money/put me in hospital).....mai pen rai.....I AINT THAI

Som Nam Na is more what I believe in.... Serves Y Self Right.

You want to play? I want to ride safe and run my business.....

theres room for us both.......

unless you force your version of Songkran on me

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:57 am

I agree it's fantastic, but you do have to sympathise when the fun moves inside, and serious damage to electrics/electronics is inevitable.

There needs to be an invisible line that does not get crossed to prevent mindless damage - unfortunately the booze disengages the brain.

2 years ago I was in the P&P Bar when it was attacked by one of the bars opposite. The wet floor and steps became a death trap. Booze and slippery floors don't mix either.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:02 am

Calm down Sandman, I'm agreeing with you. I'm on your side. I totally sympathise.

People can have their fun, but should know where the boundaries are. As I said, booze is the main culprit.

Post by **sandman67** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:09 am

we get a lot of passing dumbasses, (50/50 Thai/Farang), because we are on one of the four bintablok streets.... thats life....

last years repair bill was 30ish odd thousand - mostly electronics and electrical repairs/repainting

Not what I call "happy go lucky" at all

this year Mr Mai Pen Rai will not be in my bar

seriously

just dont fire water in bars,

dont lob water at passing bikes,

and dont rub that f****ing white powder in peoples faces.....

is that TOO much to ask?

Post by **John HH** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:47 am

sandman67 wrote:no

the "happy go lucky" festival as you call it is in fact a day or two where running an open front bar means you are constantly trying to explain to pissed up people that water and electric dont mix, and smearing white face powder mixed with water over your walls and bar top means a costly decoration job. Your Thai missus saying mai pen rai just makes it all the more frustrating and expensive;

it means a couple of nights riding round town on your bike constantly being doused in freezing water, despite the fact you are going at 30kmh at the time with a car two inches off your arse;

it means whilst riding home at 3 am along a bendy dimly lit road a gang of drunken thai teenagers think it will be a laugh to physically hijack any bike rider passing along the road to throw water down their backs.....and get stroppy and physical when said rider does not see the funny side of their hijinks....

of course kicking the living crap out of said teenagers then throwing them into the canal is an irresponsible, culturally insensitive and farang thing for a couple of farangs to do during this "happy go lucky" festival....

Songkran is a family festival...not a free for all water fight come pissed up stupid contest. That version started with a few drunk Aussies in Chang Mai, and a few years later even Thai teenagers cant remember what real Songkran is about......

Ill give you a clue...

it does not feature either water pistols/buckets or eye blinding via white powder pastes....

Im not even Thai...so why the hell should I let you run free (ie screw my business up and cost me money/put me in hospital).....mai pen rai.....I AINT THAI

Som Nam Na is more what I believe in.... Serves Y Self Right.

You want to play? I want to ride safe and run my business.....

theres room for us both.......

unless you force your version of Songkran on me

Apologies if I caused offence Sandman it wasn't intended. I've never been in Thailand for Songkran before and so the only information I have on it has come from reading not experience and that has been the way it has been portrayed. I have no version of Songkran but I can see that you have experienced problems over that period for which i empathise with. Hopefully this year it will be better.

John

Post by **kendo** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:00 am

John,
one thing i will say is there are a massive amount of road accidents and fafality's drink driving and high powered water pistols, up north i witnessed a young girl get the water treatment lost control of her moped and hit a stationery truck and that was fatal.
This time of year dont ride a moped, put your smokes and paper money in a plastic bag and try not to get the prickly heat powder in your eyes, and enjoy for a visitor it's good fun, up in Surin it go's on for 4-5 days.
Kendo.