A Soaked and Safe Songhran

Despite all the drama occuring in parts of Bangkok, the rest of the country carries on as normal. It's funny cos so many people hear / see what's happening back home and worry about relatives in Thailand. The reality is, unless you venture into these very distinct (and hard to get to) central parts of Bangkok you probably wouldn't notice / experience any difference at all.

For instance, if you travel up to (the extremely flat and hot) Suphanburi, its as if you are a million miles away from any guns / soldiers / bombs.

Our Songhran began the same as last year; the first day of the festival and we had a few beers and some food round gran's, and the whole family gave her a scrub (although she didn't strip off this year, dammit).

Aiden had a swift bath in the cold Songhran water, lucky little bugger, I almost jumped in with him it was so sweltering.

For a few days the Thai's party heavily in the streets and arm themselves with various water launching equipment, anything from a rusty old bucket to the latest in high tech water soakers.. Some clever souls even attach huge hoses to whatever fits and pump it from buildings / houses / rivers to really generate some serious soaking power, although as they have to remain in one spot they generally get even more of a soaking.

Today we drove through Ayutthaya, the streets absolutely solid in what was just one huge waterfight, a series of traffic jams that were a pleasure to be stuck in. A carnival atmosphere, without a frown in sight (although I've never seen so many ambulances in one day in Thailand...)

(the mobile waterfight, heading towards Ayutthaya town centre).

After a while we took a few blind turns and stumbed across a nice little restaurant sitting beside the river. A great little find, and we spent some time away from the excitement and traffic, and watched the world float by for a bit.

Comments

[Martyn]

Ben great photos and a reminder to me that maybe next year I'll have to face the heat of April and enjoy another Songkran Festival. I've witnessed to Songkran's in Thailand before and enjoyed both. I really liked getting a good cool soaking in the heat of the day.

Nice to see young Aiden getting into the spirit of things.

[Ben Shingleton]

I confess I stayed away from the water and just witnessed all from the inside of the car. Still good fun though. Maybe next year I'll man up and jump in the back of a pick up ...

[Talen]

Great photos Ben. I love Songkran, everyone is so happy and being wet isn't a big deal.

Your boy is adorable...and he's gettin big.

[Ben Shingleton]

:) hello Talen. Songhran is great, always a perfect example of the true character of the Thais. Goodness from the inside, no aggression, smiles and fun. It's why us farang end up in love with Thailand eh?

Aiden is growing up fast. He is a happy little soul, we are all very lucky :) All the best, Ben