#q-bar

So you are in Bangkok and you can still remember those days when you were a small child eagerly awaiting those summer days when you picked up your biggest water-gun and ran amok on the streets blasting all by-passers with a dose of watery wrath on their faces. Happy times, right? Well, equally jolly days of our lives are those which fall on the period called Songkran. The streets are flooded with the Buddha-blessed water which the many casualties of the water warfare have left behind. The period is enjoyed by both children and grown-ups alike from all walks of life, but if you want to still retain yours and not fall victim to the onslaught here are some tips which might just make you a better person. Or maybe not.

What is Songkran about:

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Songkran, or as the local alphabet would have it สงกรานต์, is an out-of-this-world experience in the celebration of the  New Year's Day according to the solar calendar. Songkran is celebrated from 13th to 15th April because somewhere up there the sun is moving into the zodiac of Aries. Interesting, right? For more, click here.

How to survive:

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1. Choose your side. 

Before anything, you really need to decide which side of the war-front you belong to: the dry or the wet. Whether this means consulting your local psychic or taking a trip back on memory lane to those moments spent utterly soaked either by forces of nature or evil-minded peers is irrelevant, as long as you figure out whether you truly want to take part in this apocalyptic water-fight or not.

2. Act accordingly

If you end up with preferring to be dry during Songkran it is best to avoid areas such as Khao San, Patpong and other heavily crowded areas such as Siam Square. The water totting devils love nothing more than densely condensed masses of willing or unwilling victims, so if you prefer to stay dry it is best to avoid such places. Perhaps a trip either inside or outside the country would be in order? Places such as Hua Hin or Pattaya are more dry-friendly than the central battlefields of BKK, and thus suitable for water-abhorring expats. Several clubs and other venues also offer water-free events in which patrons need not worry about getting their shirts and handbags all covered in white substances the contents of which are better left undetermined. Such places include e.g. Q-Bar. 

If however you however wish to join in on the fun do exactly the opposite. Stay in town, rally your men and stock up on supplies. Water-guns are cheap and ubiquitously available during the period, but whether you can actually find a loyal gun which will outlast the war might not happen. Enter areas like Khao San and Patpong with a wide grin and come prepared with small change so you can buy additional ammo from vendors. The colder the better and the more the wetter. For a totally soaked party try RCA.

Regardless of which side you choose it is suggested to waterproof your cellphone and wallet even for small ventures to the 7/11, as the Songkran mischief knows no limits and safe-zones are rarer than a clear and smogless day in BKK.

Final tips:

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1. Remember to smile

Even if you are not particularly in the mood for getting water  splashed on your face for the umpteenth time try to keep a good spirit up. The shooters mean no harm and frowning is a surefire way to get an additional load of ice-cold refreshments from the barrel of a Super-Soaker on you.

2. Be wary of the traffic

Songkran period is sadly also known for the massive amounts of traffic accidents and deaths caused by drunk-driving. Be careful, and if you travel perhaps it is a good idea to take the bus instead of a taxi or a van.

3. Have fun

Regardless of what you end up doing have fun and enjoy the new year.

Sawat dee pee mai and all that jazz!

Xoxo,