Songkran Festival, Chiang Mai style:
The celebrations of Songkran in Chiang Mai are by far the most enthusiastic in the whole of Thailand. Typically lasting nearly a whole week and many fa-rang (Western foreigners) visit, just to enjoy a week long water fight on the streets of the City!
The festival is an exuberant celebration of the traditional New Year and the throwing of water is symbolic of blessing, literally showers of blessing!
The following pictures give a flavour of our experience of a visit to the Old City during this year's celebrations; but even these can't show the friendly, light-hearted approach to the fun, that the Thai seem to demonstrate. Even when the water has been dredged up from the canal around the old walls or has been cooled with the massive blocks of ice, the people smile and cheer when doused as they pass. The favourite target seems to be passing motor cycles; I don't think this festival would catch on in Britain!
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| The roads around the canal are the focus of most of the fun |
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| Every inch of road side is full of people |
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| Buckets, hose-pipes, water pistols-anything goes |
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| The red song-taew is covered in flour another tradition at Songkran |
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| The wetter the better! |
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| Fun for all the family! |
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| When the temp is 30+ Celsius, the ice is welcome |
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| Girl power? |
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| The rain trees that line the streets are at their best |
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| Many come to Chiang Mai just to experience Songkran |
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| Tuc-Tucs often go topless! |
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| Every age-every means of transport, everyone equally wet! |
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| A tuc-tuc suddenly looks quite sporting! |
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| From the front of the family shop, Dad keeps business going as the family join in |
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| "Never been out in the rain" this classic was being push started...... |
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| Rambo and friend getting into the spirit! |
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