PHOTOS BY CANON POWERSHOT SX 720 HS
ANYTIME IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THAILAND BUT ONLY DURING SONGKRAN CAN YOU INDULGE IN YOUR CHILDHOOD'S WATER FIGHTS AS AN ADULT!
SONGKRAN IS USUALLY HELD FROM 13 TO 16 APRIL UNLESS DECREED BY THAI GOVERNMENT AS SONGKRAN IS THAI NEW YEAR SO IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT NATIONAL HOLIDAY LIKE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
SONGKRAN IS JUST ABOUT THE HOTTEST SEASON OF THE YEAR SO WATER FIGHTS IS PERFECT!
Of course your natural instinct is NOT to get wet or soaked but by the grace of Buddha, sooner or later (sually soober!) you will get drenched and once done, you will actually enjoy getting WET, WET, WET!
Down to your underwear and panties so don't bother bringing extra undies. Once wet, just ENJOY!
HERE ARE THE RULES, MORE OR LESS:
1; Water fights are only in designated areas! Don't stroll into Louis Vuitton or Chanel boutiques and spray water on staff or shoppers! No water fights inside shopping malls, offices or public buildings or worse, inside temples or temple compounds where Thais go to pray. Ask your hotel concierge for water fight areas
2; Avoid standing next to revellers holding plastic water guns or you will be caught in the crossfire or rather, crosswater! Stand behind the water fighters though you might get some spray.
3; If you carry a water gun, then you are game to be shot with water! Does not matter if you are returning home and your water pistol is dry as Sahara desert as no one knows and since you are probably wet everyone assumes you had been water fighting. If you don't carry a water gun, you would not be shot with water as this is like stealing candy from a baby since you are defenceless.
4; When you run out of water, ask anyone where to get refill as everyone is willing to help. If you see someone hosing everyone, go to him and he will refill your water pistol. There are huge pails of water everywhere anyway
5; Yes, you can spray on the big boob girl or handsome guy or anyone including children and especially kids as they are the sneakiest! The rule is not to shoot water into the eye but you can throw a pail of water on the head and face! Buy a pair of goggle glasses for RM 13 to protect your eyes. Don't wear make-up or mascara!
6; Buy a plastic pouch to put your handphone, watch, cash, passport and important stuff and tuck the pouch under your t-shirt unless your plan to be shirtless which is permissible. Many retailers give free plastic pouches to wear as belt or hang around neck upon purchase or they are given free by organisations or big brands as promotional gifts. Each costs RM 15 to RM 20 or less
7; Wear plastic shoes or slippers. Leave your Adidas and Gucci sneakers in hotel. Even if you are rich, wt and clammy trainers are uncomfortable as the sogginess drags you down.
8; You will be thoroughly wet so don't bother bring towels or change of clothes as you might get drenched before you reach your hotel and the heat will dry your wet baju pretty fast.
9; The water pistols are almost designer stuff and cost RM 50 to RM 80 for a good big one. The colours and designs are intriguing and you should bring home as souvenir. Or leave in hotel room ot give to a Thai kid if your suitcase is full as they are quite big and bulky.
10; You can even buy a backpack specially designed to hold water so you have extra supply! What a cool way to store extra ammunition as you can refill your water guns on the spot!
11; Yes, you can hop on and off any lorry, SUV or vehicle traversing the road in the middle of water fights in areas sealed off to normal traffic as the roads are meant for water battles. Climb aboard any vehicle for a bird's eye view.
12; Bring either waterproof cameras or put it inside a clear plastic bag to take photos as no one will give a damn about your expensive Leica. i have seen specially designed clear camera holders but it is near impossible to buy one at the last minute that fit your particular model so use your handphone instead as it is easier to buy a plastic cover.
13; By law anyone can throw water on you and you cannot scold the perpetrator let alone punch him or her. The water can be mixed with ice so when the freezy water lands on you for sure you will shriek at the shock of icy cold water on warm skin. But then, this is the reason you came for Songkran! Otherwise, take a shower in the comfort of your hotel bathroom!
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