Songkran

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Today was Songkran here in Pattaya it was the big day today anyway it has been water fights on and off since the 13th April here, I thought it would be pretty cool to be here for this festival as I was assured by people who had been here last year that it is a mad one.

Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for the Thai community, society and religions. The value for family is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present them gifts including making merits to dedicate the result to their ancestors. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity. This is how it was I guess in the past now it is one big crazy party here in Pattaya.


Well the day started off fairly quiet outside the Dive Shop not too many people but lots of water and lots of talc and some strange white stuff that is mixed with water to bless your face or any other part of your body the women or men wish to bless!!!.

Today coincided with the elections also so that meant that alcohol had to stop being served on the 18th April at 6pm until 00:00 on the 19th this would be a problem in most countries but not Thailand... to hell with the law lets start drinking at 10:00am was most people’s attitude.

So on we went to start out trip to Pattaya which was always going to take forever but unlike most days we were certainly not going to feel the heat. It’s a strange day here as 95% of businesses are closed and only outlets such as Burger King Etc are open so the streets are pretty busy.

I cannot even tell you how many gallons of water I must have had poured on me some freezing cold which in this heat may sound nice but it’s a extreme temperature change.

Seeing so many Thai’s clearly enjoying themselves was amazing they are so tolerant I could not imagine a festival like this taking place in any other country in the world. Imagine you are on your way to work and along comes a pick up full of people who proceed to soak you and douse you in talc….Only in Thailand.

This will be my last diary from Thailand as the New Year comes into Thailand I will be heading to Sydney and seeing what Australia has to offer, I am pretty excited as I have never been there and I am looking forward to seeing new places and hopefully get some work as a Diving Instructor but we will see.

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