Songkran 2016 is in less than 2 weeks in Thailand
Songkran 2016 is approaching. Taking place in the middle of April, this festival generally lasts three days and marks the Thai New Year. A both spiritual and playful festval which is one of the highlights of the festivals calendar in Thailand !
Songkran, spiritual side
Thailand is a very religious country with a large majority of Buddhists and a country very attached to its traditions. Songkran is first a spiritual event. Thai people visit temples in the country to pray and wish for the new year ahead to b good and pour scented water on Buddha statues.
There also are processions. In Bangkok, the crowd will go to the most emblematic temples of the city, like Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) which is generally open to the public free of charge for the occasion. But do not expect to visit the temple for free because with the crowd and the fact that only a part of the place is open, you will not really be abble to visit the place. By cons, you can attend the Songkran rites and see the fervor of the Thais. The The Golden Mountain temple is probably the second most visited temple in Bangkok for Songkran. And it offers a beautiful view over the city and its different faces.
Songkran, festive side
But New Year is also about partying ! Great live music and entertainment areas are installed around the country. The most impressive one is probably at Central World in Bangkok. Even though this year it should be a little different because of savings on water ask by Thai authorities.
What foreigners who come to Thailand for Songkran probably like the most are the massive water fights taking place in the streets ! In Bangkok, the most famous places for those water battles are Khao San Road, Silom Road and Soi Nana (Sukhumvit). In Chiang Mai , probably the most popular town with tourists and Thais for Songkran, it happens around the Thapae Gate.
But this year, Thailand is experiencing its worst drought in 20 years, the festivities will be framed more than usual in an attempt to save water while maintaining the party. Throwing water will be only allowed from April 13 (against April 12 in previous years), in Bangkok and probably in other major cities and banned from 9 pm. It is also planned to reduce the number of water refill available on Khao San Road and this year there will be no 80 meters water tunnel. It will also be difficult to find water to reload your guns, the authorities have indicated that many points of water distribution will not be available for revelers Songkran this year.
The authorities also encourage the population and visitors to the Kingdom to just gently pour water on the hands of each other to pay tribute instead to engage in water fights. That was the original tradition.
Anyway Songkran will remain a great party !
Please note, if you expect to be in Chiang Mai during the period from April 12 to 17 better book your room in advance (I mean now ;)) because there will many many people !
