Songkran - a good time to visit?

[bonnielass]

Hello all you Huahinners, hope all is well in the LOS.

I have been to HH a few times and am still hoping to buy a wee hoose there some day.
Planning a visit during Songkran, to hopefully view some properties.
I read somewhere that the main holiday in HH is 13th April.
Is everything open normally apart from that day?
And do the bars close?

I just love reading this forum, very informative and funny too sometimes.
Keep it up guys and gals.

[Big Boy]

Everywhere will be buzzing during Sonkran - just don't expect to stay dry.

Unless you're a miserable git, you're going to have a fantastic time - just go with the flow.

[Super Joe]

I read somewhere that the main holiday in HH is 13th April. Is everything open normally apart from that day? And do the bars close?.

Most bars open on the water festival day, the odd one's close as do some of the restaurants and a lot of shops. But the bars will be set up with water drums, and most people find it a great laugh on the main day, if you haven't done one before you really should experience it. Can be a bit annoying the day before, or the day after the main day if you're dressed up and wanna stay dry to go somewhere and there's the odd bell throwing a bucket over you. It's a party atmosphere, all the regular local Thais come out, get smashed on whisky before 9am and have a laugh and mix with the farangs like they wouldn't normally do. You get the odd area set-up with a sound syste for a bit of drunken dancing.

Upside ... you don't have to bother having a shower for 3 days, can't stand them things.
Downside .... you might get the odd drunken fight here and there, plus there's a massive increase in serious road accidents, best to stay off motorbikes for the period.

I have been to HH a few times and am still hoping to buy a wee hoose there some day.

Might have something that meets that criteria, you won't find one cheaper at well under 1M Baht, and if at the end of the initial 30 year lease you can't get an extension to the lease, it's designed specifically for you too easily transport to another piece of land ... http://www.topgear.com/content/timetobu ... 5/main.jpg


SJ

[Big Boy]

Downside ....

Don't forget the iced water

[bj.blackowitz]

I had a Ball in 2006 during songkran in HuaHin

its actually only 1½ day more orless,
Nothing like Pattaya where it is done almost one week.

Just make sure the stuff you wear and take with you are waterproof or packed well in Plastics.

[E-Dork]

I just LOVE songkran and I'm an old fart!

Over the years I have experienced Songkran in Chiang Rai, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Phuket, Samut Prakan, Koa San Road ( ), Prachuap Kiri Khan, Sam Roi Yot and of course a few in Hua Hin amongst other places.

Hua Hin has been by far the best out the lot due to it's choice, you can go down to the bars for the full on party atmosphere but can also retreat to beers at the restaurants / bars on Petchkasem for a 'watered down' version. It's not too in your face but a good enough level to get ya going!

Kao San Road...... Now there's a place to avoid like a child should a kiddy fiddler. The place is HEAVING by 12:00, so much so that you are shoulder to shoulder with The Great Unwashed from all corners of the globe. Just ghastly I tell ya. It took us no less than 1 hour to get from one end to the other due to the herds. Sure someone has some pictures of the pure mayhem that occurs up there. Can't understand why anyone would be there apart from a punishment of some form.

Hua Hin though..... bloody great!

[Big Boy]

How about this:

[E-Dork]

Thanks for the vid BB, but that certainly wasn't what I experienced. When I mean shoulder to shoulder that's exactly what I mean. People pushing you from every direction possible. So many shoes on the floor, if it comes off your foot you have no chance of getting it back again. Pissheads throwing buckets of sangsom and coke over yer head. Heard rumours of pissheads filling up their water guns with...... yep, PISS!!

An absolute bog it was. Will see if I can find my mobile pics I took.

[margaretcarnes]

Certainly have Songkran in HH - it's all that the guys have said it is - but don't expect to get any business done during the main day or 2! With the 13th falling on a Tuesday I would expect Thailand to make a long weekend of it, so serious house hunting might be best done from about the 15th on.

[bj.blackowitz]

This year I will give Songkran a Miss, will be in LOS for a week starting 16th.
Its not the MUST see party , but its nice to enjoy every now and then.

[Khundon1975]

bonnielass

Welcome to the mad house that will be Songkran

As for house hunting, take your time, as there are plenty to choose from but many are at silly prices for what they are.

Good luck.

[PeteC]

Here is a current link with bulletins about when Songkran is celebrated in various regions. Pete

http://www.tourismthailand.org/

[PeteC]

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
BMA cancels all its Songkran events
By The Nation
Published on April 9, 2010


The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has cancelled all of its Songkran activities in the wake of intensifying redshirt rallies and the state of emergency.

"All festivities including religious rituals will not be held this year," Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra announced yesterday.

The BMA initially planned to organise the procession of a sacred Buddha statue, hold a Miss Songkran beauty contest, prepare festivities at Santi Chai Prakarn Park and conduct many more events.

All these activities will no longer take place despite the fact that the Songkran festival is one of the biggest events in Thailand.

However, operators on tourist crowded Khao San Road have vowed to keep the festive mood alive there.

"The Maha Songkran celebration at Khao San will run from April 12 to April 15 as scheduled," Khao San Operators Association president Surat Wongchansilp said yesterday.

He said the number of security guards around Khao San Road during the festival would be 200 a day.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand insisted that it would continue to promote "Celebrate Songkran with Pilgrimages to Nine Royal Monasteries in the Capital".

[margaretcarnes]

Oh dear - in cancelling it's Songkran celebrations the BMA is maybe hoping to stir ante Red feelings, and pass the blame. But I don't think it's the right way to go about it. Surely it would be better to go ahead as usual? Won't this backing out of what is essentially a religious festival be seen as a sign of weakness and disrespect?

[PeteC]

Maybe all of the above Mags. I think one concern may be to keep drinking, frustrated Bangkonians away from the Red Shirts and vice versa. I'm not sure which party the Bangkok mayor is, I'll have to look it up. If Democrat, probably a bit of influence from the big guys. Pete