Happy New Year
( Buddhist Era 2544 )
Sawadee Pee Mai

Departure of the Old Year

While formal ceremonies continue to be followed (see separate article), the festivity which will impact most on visitors and residents alike will be that of "Water Throwing". Historically this event was the gentle sprinkling of scented water, from one person to another, in washing away the Old Year and as a blessing for the New. But, like most things in life, the festival has become a lot more frenetic - particularly in Chiang Mai - and has evolved into a full scale "Water War" in which everyone gets wet, wet, wet!

From His Excellency the Provincial Governor down to the lowliest street urchin - everyone will get wet at some point of the festival. It is fun, it is "Sanook Maak, Maak" and, if you accept it in the right frame of mind and, literally go with the flow, you to will relish this uniquely Thai celebration.

As a guide to your comfort, wear clothes which you won't mind getting wet and protect any sensitive, personal items (camera, wallet/purse, Walkman, etc.) in plastic bags. Exuberant youth, in the tossing of water, will have no mercy and will not even see that expensive camcorder you carry - so protect it well! Also, it is important to remember that you are in Thailand so please respect Thai dress codes of politeness and decency. Although you are going to get wet, it is not appropriate to take to the streets in a state of undress or beach wear.

If you are determined to join the fun (and who isn't?) buy yourself a water-pistol or squirt-gun and go to it. Alternatively, if you are of a more retiring disposition and don't wish to get too wet, then you may seek sanctuary in the inner recesses of a pub or restaurant. But remember you still have to run the gauntlet of getting to your chosen haven and that beaming smile, from your waiter or waitress, may cover a multitude of intent as a glass of cold water is poured down your neck! Think of it as a cooling, free shower in this hot, tropical climate and accept the "Sawadee Pee Mai" as it is, indeed, a Happy New Year.

Out on the streets, especially around the Moat, traffic will be bumper-to-bumper and, despite this being a Buddhist nation, water will be of Biblical torrents. Thousands of people will either be physically in the Moat or drawing water from its murky depths to replenish their liquid arsenal.

Stirrup-pumps, garden hoses, buckets, pots, bowls and anything capable of delivering water, short of a riot-control water cannon, will see action in what is possibly their busiest time of year. Fifty-gallon water-drums will be mounted on the flat-bed of trucks and, attended by a team of boisterous water-bombardiers, will liberally douse anyone within range. And perhaps the drum will also contain a large chunk of ice just to make that soaking more refreshing!

So, all in all, you're going to get wet. Enjoy the fun, join in the fun, laugh at the fun and, above all, don't forget to say, "Sawadee Pee Mai" -- Happy New Year !!

See the related articles:

• Happy New Year ( Buddhist Era 2544 ) Sawadee Pee Mai
• How to Throw Water During Songkran
• Mural Paintings of The Traditional Chiangmai Songkran Festival
• Origins of the Songkran Festival
• Rites of Songkran (Thai New Year)
• Songkran Customs: Old and New
• Songkran in Chiang Mai
• The Formal Side of Songkran (New Year) Festival
• The Songkran Festival in Lamphun