gobbledonk Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 As always, I like to plan everything 2 years in advance, but the prospect of landing in BKK in the middle of the hottest month and having to hide out in a hotel room to avoid Songkran doesn't appeal to me. Given that its also the hottest month in Cambo, I guess I'll have to go north for a month or so. That, or go back to that deserted beach south of Chumphon and wait it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Songkran can be avoided by staying away from tourist areas. As to going north, Songkran once was celebrated only in the north ... but has said spread to almost the whole of the country. Be warned that Songkran in the north can be carried on for as long as 2 weeks! Kids in the countryside are reluctant to give it up. There is very little Songkran nuttiness in my neighbourhood. Children will be out, but usually ignore adults. The "war wagons" will prowl the streets, looking for others to do battle with. If you don't look like you want to join in, they usally spare you. But in the tourist areas, it is the tourists who are the most obnoxious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horneytorney Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 this might be true for Bangkok, but in rural areas without tourists, nobody gets spared as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 So I've been told. It wasn't like that in the past. I remember Songkran as a respectful time, when Thais would wai you and ask to "rot nam" you. Then they would pour a bit of perfumed water over your extended hands. I actually got that from a couple in my neighbourhood last year. But times have obviously changed. Even my wife complains about Songkran, and she is from the North. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrtsO2Ho2tg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Check the air pollution monitoring sites or reports before you consider going north in April, the smoke from the burn-offs can be really bad unless the weather breaks early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specialist Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 It isn't that hard to avoid Songkran. Check the calendar. I'm landing at Swampy on the 21st, for a two-week stay. I chose that date SPECIFICALLY to avoid the Songkran free-soak zones. (I arrived during Songkran once and that was ENOUGH, for a few years at least.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Lao new year (Pi Mai), is coincidentally, the same time and of the same nature as Songkran. I'm getting out of town and heading off to Ha Noi in Vietnam. Brilliant plan, 24 hrs on one of those sleeper buses, that plunge into ravines, killing 44 but not the driver, you know what I mean.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Lao new year (Pi Mai), is coincidentally, the same time and of the same nature as Songkran. I'm getting out of town and heading off to Ha Noi in Vietnam. Brilliant plan, 24 hrs on one of those sleeper buses, that plunge into ravines, killing 44 but not the driver, you know what I mean.... Coss, Sounds like fun, except the crash and burn stuff. What? No Songkran type holiday in VN? TET? Cent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 It's the old southeastasian new year - so Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam have the same on same days. Some expats in Pattaya go to Angeles City (Phillippines) instead the Songkran week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted March 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Out of respect for Flasher, I wont refer to Songkran as the 'Wet Offensive'. Ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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