Brian and Marisa Bargsten: Chaing Mai Songkron

We had heard from several sources that if you are in Thailand during Songkron, around mid April, you should try to make it to Chiang Mai, in the north. Songkron celebrates Thai New Year. It also happens to occur around the beginning of the monsoon season. And it's wicked hot; generally around 95-100 and dripping wet humid. So, what better way to celebrate the New Year and coming monsoon than with a water fight. Now we are not just talking about a few squirt guns and a couple of random hoses. No, we're talking all out, no holds barred water fight. And everyone participates. I mean everyone, tens of thousands.

We arrived in Chaing Mai one day before Songkron was suppose to begin. Figured we'd rent a motorbike and head out to the botanical gardens outside the city. On the way there we found out some folks (i.e., kids) like to get an early start on the festivities. By the time we made it to the gardens we were soaked. Kids of all ages stand by the side of the road and chuck buckets of water at each victim that drives by. And who can blame them. If I had a free pass to hurl water at people driving down my street when I was 10, damn right I would have.

The following three days we joined the party, as there was no way to go outside the hotel without getting nailed with water. The first day we rented a tuk-tuk (see pic below) and drove around tossing ice water on people. Ya, you read that right...ice water. We had a 30 gallon garbage bin fill of water and a big block of ice. Let me tell you the look of shock you get from people when you toss freezing cold water on them is priceless. My favorite moment was when I hopped out of the tuk-tuk and snuck up behind an 8 (or so) year old boy, dumping a bucket of ice water down his back. The look on his face was fantastic!

Day 2 and 3 was more of the same with a few beers and a site or two tossed in.

If you ever have the chance to visit Thailand during Songkron, do it. They celebrate all over the country but Chaing Mai is the epicenter. I guarantee you will love it.

Typical scene. People just take over the streets. Folks drive around in trucks with waterfighters in the back. Chaos.

These three kids waited outside the restaurant we ate lunch at. They pounced on any and all. I got into an all out battle with them when we finished lunch. Not sure who won...