Water Festival?

Hi All,

Has any one been in Chiang Mai at the time of the water festival?

We will be there for 8 nights from the 8th to the 16th of April.

Can anyone tell me if it is hard to get tours at this time, because we just like to book tours from the town when we arrive and not before.

And also dose traveling around cost more because of the crowded streets and time delays?

Thanks for any help.

Water Festival?

I%26#39;d also be grateful for some information on this subject, please.

We will be in Bangkok from 10th April %26amp; flying to Chaing Mai on 14th April for 4 nights.

Previous postings indicate you will either love or hate Songkran. One expert even say%26#39;s he leaves the country!

How long do festivities go on for?

Are shops / markets / restaurants / temples open?

Will we get soaked everytime we leave the hotel?

What to expect?

etc.etc......

Thanks

Water Festival?

There are about 3 days, when the festival is in full swing, during which there is not much to do other than joining the festivities. Many shops are closed, going on tour may still be possible but it is not advised, you will be soaked all day or hiding to remain dry. Circulation is almost impossible around the old city, but elsewhere it is ok.

In my opinion, to be in Chiang Mai and to participate to the water festival is a chance not to be missed, going on tour can be done all year long.

Thanks Doc,

I%26#39;m quite looking forward to it, but was just a bit apprehensive after reading negative reviews.

What dates are the celebrations in Chiang Mai %26amp; do the dates differ throughout the Thailand?

Are %26#39;farangs%26#39; welcome to join in celebrations?

i think farangs have ruined sonkran it used to be a gentle cerimony all that used to happen is thai,s would gently dab other thai,s face with water and some powder of some sort

then came the falangs with buckets and giant water pistols and turned it into a farce

the road death toll is horrendous during sonkran--quote---

Bangkok - Road accidents have claimed 343 casualties during the first seven days of Thailand%26#39;s traditional New Year celebration, or Songkran, a senior official said on Friday.

Caretaker Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said a total of 3,736 car accidents had occured between April 7 and Thursday, leaving 4,199 people injured and 343 dead.

The three-day Songkran festival officially started on Thursday and will end Saturday, but Thailand%26#39;s highways, trains and airports have been packed since last weekend as millions of Thais return to their homes in the provinces to observe the New Year festival.

Traditionally, Songkran should be observed by visits to parents and temples, pouring lustral water on the hands of elders to wash away the old year and receiving their blessings and playful splashing among youngsters.

Nowadays the %26#39;water splashing%26#39; festival is more commonly observed, especially in Bangkok and other urban centres, by street battles between watergun-wielding pranksters, truck and motorcycle races as revellers heave pots of water at one another and widespread intoxication.

The festival has become a tourist attraction.

According to one Thai think

Thanks andy53 and Doc, for your reply鈥檚,

So I鈥檓 thinking tours should be done before the water starts flowing, and then just go with the flow.

The dates I have got for the festival are the 13th, 14th and 15th of April 2007 can anyone tell me if these are right.

Thanks sue

Your dates are correct ... same time every year. Bring some ziplock bags or rafting wallets for your valuables, as you will get wet walking around the town. Anywhere near the moats or the bar areas is guaranteed ';soaked to the bone';. Other parts of the city are not as exhuberant.

You can probably still find tours during the festival, but you really have to play like a kid at least one day during Songkran.

Thanks MrCycling,

I am really looking forward to playing like the kids in the water; it is my first time to Chiang Mai although I have been to Bangkok and Phuket a couple of times.

I will be staying at the Imperial Mae Ping (got a deal) is this a site for a soaking.

I love the Thai people and there sense of fun, I can鈥檛 wait.

Thank you for your reply.

Sue

The Imperial Mae Ping is a quiet area during Songkran. You have to walk the street (Loy Kroh Road) up in the direction of the moat and the old city to find the real action.

Thanks Doc, for your reply

That is good to hear in a way,

because when we have had enough water play

we can at lest escape it for a little while.

hi just seen your post. We took the kids (age 10 and 5) to chiang mai in april 2005. Our adivce would be DONT MISS the water festival. you%26#39;ll get very wet but its grate fun.