Happy Songkran everybody. Apparently, Thai New Year is the favourite holiday of almost everybody in the Land o' Smiles. Good for them, I guess.
I first came to Thailand in 2003, and extended my visit two weeks just to make sure that I'd be in the country for what every guidebook claimed was a celebration not to be missed. I'm glad I spent that extra time. I spent that first Songkran in Chiang Mai, and if you've ever been there for the New Year's festivities, you know how truly crazy it is up there.
So, by my math, this will be the 12th Songkran that I've been here for. I agree that it certainly is a unique spectacle that I'd suggest anybody be part of at least once in their lives. But I think I've just got too old to really enjoy it anymore.
When you're a kid, or even a kid at heart, all of that water splashing is pretty fun. But when you get to be an old, grumpy codger like me, it loses a lot of its allure.
I didn't even go out of the house for last year's celebrations, and you know what? I don't feel like I missed out on anything. I had friends who wanted to drag me out to Silom, but I let them go and tell me about it afterwards. Not that I needed the recap — every year I've been out, it's been just the same.
There are always way too many people. There's a lot of water splashing. There are lots of drunk folks. It's loud.
So I'll probably skip out on this year's celebration as well. It gives me tons of time to just sit at home with my dogs. If I do go out, it's usually someplace where there's no splashing. There aren't many people around. Traffic in Bangkok is almost non-existent, and the air is noticeably cleaner. Really, Songkran is the best time of the year to be in Bangkok, despite the heat.
So I hope everybody has a great time. Just remember to be very careful. Don't get into a car if the driver's been drinking. If you're on the side of the street, splashing, remember to watch out for cars and motorcycles. Just have fun.
If you need to find me, I'll be at home.
Ben Edwards
Deputy Editor
[email protected]
