Songkran festival in Thailand may be the Buddhist same as our New Year celebrations, and formally happens within the three days from 13th-15th April. Songkran is definitely probably the most fun occasions from the whole year in Thailand, even trumping the infamous Full Moon Parties, and includes both locals and vacationers in ways not one other event does.
The standard tossing water is intended denoting washing away unhealthy, and it has become a legendary 3 day water fight the space and breadth of Thailand, although keeping it's religious roots surface of mind among the Thai people.
I'll now depart 5 tips I believe can help any newbie survive Songkran:
Songkran is among individuals occasions that individuals originate from far and around to celebrate because of the infamous status it's to be unrelenting and something hell of the serious party, wherever in the united states you're, even though the undisputed epicentre is definitely Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
Saying there are still numerous other areas that placed on one hell of the show from what I have heard, including Khao San Road in Bangkok and also the primary Thai Islands, for example Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (among others!).
Because this is one serious event in Thailand for locals and vacationers alike, booking ahead for transport for your Songkran destination along with your accommodation although you are there's essential!
Believe me about this one, when i almost were able to miss the final bed around the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by departing it to simply a couple of days before.
Good accommodation in the region (especially Chiang Mai) is going to be difficult to get hold of, so book as far ahead as you possibly can. If you cannot do that, that we wasn't able to perform, it's totally worth emailing your chosen place direct, even if they're offered on the main room booking websites, since many places holds back beds/rooms to market straight to punters for any better profit.
If you're searching for any suggestion of hostel in Chiang Mai I can not recommend Deejai Backpackers highly enough. If you want a buzzing social atmosphere and wish to meet some likeminded backpackers up for a great time, then this is actually the spot to be! It is a little from the primary Taipae Gate area only a ten minute walk, and it is where most backpackers is going to be remaining, which means you are certain to meet some awesome peeps. They likewise have a pool and bar so it''s a real no-brainer!
I'd hope this can be a fairly apparent statement at this time but there actually is no staying away from it unless of course you hide in the cage?-and why the hell would for you to do that! As soon as you leave your hostel/hotel each morning you'll be confronted with apparently evil Thai's waiting with cold buckets water, Super Soakers or maybe even a hose to soak you thru!
To prevent having your most precious things wet I recommend purchasing some kind of waterproof bag. You can purchase small cheap ones to put on around your neck to secure your money and make contact with etc. throughout Thailand during this period of the year.
Another Songkran hack is always to put on a bikini beneath your clothes. Although travelling inside a bikini by itself (or topless for males) is frowned upon (unless of course you are well on the shore), putting on beneath your clothes to make sure you are a bit more comfortable during the day a very good idea?-believe me, travelling having a wet bra all day long isn't a enjoyable experience.
But beware, should you go OTT and put on waterproof poncho's or make use of an umbrella you'll become a level bigger target!
I'd also urge you to purchase an inexpensive waterproof camera. I truly regretted not receiving one before the event and that i could not purchase one any place in Chiang Mai (business chance methinks!). Pulling your standard camera or phone out during Songkran will help you cursing yourself later on whenever your camera/phone is completely soaked and damaged.
It's worth taking observe that the state 3 day duration of Songkran frequently spans four to five days, and frequently begins on twelfth, so you might want to reach your party destination a couple of days prior to make sure you don't finish up lugging your bags via a fully blown water fight. This can also mean you are there for that build-as people arrive and also the atmosphere begins to buzz.
Following the last day's Songkran (15th) many people vacate the region and mind home or onto their next destination. For Chiang Mai which means that most backpackers finish in Pai. Unless of course you'll need some real peace and quiet to recuperate I recommend you progress along too and also the atmosphere in sleepy Pai is the best antidote, however I would recommend booking ahead!
Remember this is often a 3, 4 or perhaps 5 day lengthy party so never! It's so tempting to begin the party even earlier when you are awaiting the festivities to start, however a hangover on first day will place a dampener on things (for me!). You have the time to party along with the water games happening from 7am-7pm adopted up by a few serious through the night rocking, I recommend plenty of breaks back at the hostel/hotel, plus stops in the morning, lunch & dinner could be sensible (yes mother!).
Although I believe beginning your entire day having a 'Mugarita' at Cray Loco's in Chiang Mai near Taipae Gate is the easiest method to start trading for which offers to be one epic festival!
The standard tossing water is intended denoting washing away unhealthy, and it has become a legendary 3 day water fight the space and breadth of Thailand, although keeping it's religious roots surface of mind among the Thai people.
I'll now depart 5 tips I believe can help any newbie survive Songkran:
1. Where you can Celebrate
Songkran is among individuals occasions that individuals originate from far and around to celebrate because of the infamous status it's to be unrelenting and something hell of the serious party, wherever in the united states you're, even though the undisputed epicentre is definitely Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
Saying there are still numerous other areas that placed on one hell of the show from what I have heard, including Khao San Road in Bangkok and also the primary Thai Islands, for example Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (among others!).
2. Book Early
Because this is one serious event in Thailand for locals and vacationers alike, booking ahead for transport for your Songkran destination along with your accommodation although you are there's essential!
Believe me about this one, when i almost were able to miss the final bed around the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by departing it to simply a couple of days before.
Good accommodation in the region (especially Chiang Mai) is going to be difficult to get hold of, so book as far ahead as you possibly can. If you cannot do that, that we wasn't able to perform, it's totally worth emailing your chosen place direct, even if they're offered on the main room booking websites, since many places holds back beds/rooms to market straight to punters for any better profit.
If you're searching for any suggestion of hostel in Chiang Mai I can not recommend Deejai Backpackers highly enough. If you want a buzzing social atmosphere and wish to meet some likeminded backpackers up for a great time, then this is actually the spot to be! It is a little from the primary Taipae Gate area only a ten minute walk, and it is where most backpackers is going to be remaining, which means you are certain to meet some awesome peeps. They likewise have a pool and bar so it''s a real no-brainer!
3. Take Waterproofing PrecautionsYou are likely to get wet!
I'd hope this can be a fairly apparent statement at this time but there actually is no staying away from it unless of course you hide in the cage?-and why the hell would for you to do that! As soon as you leave your hostel/hotel each morning you'll be confronted with apparently evil Thai's waiting with cold buckets water, Super Soakers or maybe even a hose to soak you thru!
To prevent having your most precious things wet I recommend purchasing some kind of waterproof bag. You can purchase small cheap ones to put on around your neck to secure your money and make contact with etc. throughout Thailand during this period of the year.
Another Songkran hack is always to put on a bikini beneath your clothes. Although travelling inside a bikini by itself (or topless for males) is frowned upon (unless of course you are well on the shore), putting on beneath your clothes to make sure you are a bit more comfortable during the day a very good idea?-believe me, travelling having a wet bra all day long isn't a enjoyable experience.
But beware, should you go OTT and put on waterproof poncho's or make use of an umbrella you'll become a level bigger target!
I'd also urge you to purchase an inexpensive waterproof camera. I truly regretted not receiving one before the event and that i could not purchase one any place in Chiang Mai (business chance methinks!). Pulling your standard camera or phone out during Songkran will help you cursing yourself later on whenever your camera/phone is completely soaked and damaged.
4. Before & After Factors
It's worth taking observe that the state 3 day duration of Songkran frequently spans four to five days, and frequently begins on twelfth, so you might want to reach your party destination a couple of days prior to make sure you don't finish up lugging your bags via a fully blown water fight. This can also mean you are there for that build-as people arrive and also the atmosphere begins to buzz.
Following the last day's Songkran (15th) many people vacate the region and mind home or onto their next destination. For Chiang Mai which means that most backpackers finish in Pai. Unless of course you'll need some real peace and quiet to recuperate I recommend you progress along too and also the atmosphere in sleepy Pai is the best antidote, however I would recommend booking ahead!
5. It is a Marathon not really a Sprint
Remember this is often a 3, 4 or perhaps 5 day lengthy party so never! It's so tempting to begin the party even earlier when you are awaiting the festivities to start, however a hangover on first day will place a dampener on things (for me!). You have the time to party along with the water games happening from 7am-7pm adopted up by a few serious through the night rocking, I recommend plenty of breaks back at the hostel/hotel, plus stops in the morning, lunch & dinner could be sensible (yes mother!).
Although I believe beginning your entire day having a 'Mugarita' at Cray Loco's in Chiang Mai near Taipae Gate is the easiest method to start trading for which offers to be one epic festival!
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