Songkran Water Festival
Thai New Year
Songkran is the very mad and wet celebration of Thai New Year which officially takes place from 13-15 April. The Songkran festival grew from the original unassuming concept of washing the hands of family elders, into today’s modern mega party.
Every year, for a hot week in April, Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai undergoes it’s metamorphosis from laid back garden city to the full blown party capital of Thailand. The city has become famed for its wild and wet celebrations of Songkran, which centre around the moat surrounding the old city. With less than two weeks to go the excitement is already starting to build.
The official Songkran holiday runs from Monday day 13th April 2015 until Wednesday 15th April. However, around the moat and Thapae gate, which is the epicentre of Songkran, the drenching usually starts a day or two early, which it certainly will this year with a weekend preceding the main holiday. During the main days of Songkran a constant parade of vehicles, slowed to walking pace, fill the inner and outer moat roads.
Water Wars
For the un-initiated, Songkran is the annual Thai New Year festival. What started as a Bhuddist tradition of pouring water on Bhudda statues and the hands and feet of elders to cleanse and show respect, has now become anything but respectful. For several days it seems almost everyone is out on the streets attempting to drown each other in as much water as possible. Some station themselves along roadsides and get their ammunition from the nearest hosepipe. Others lounge in the back of pick-up trucks. Loaded with a large drum of water, plenty of buckets, high powered water pistols and don’t forget the beer! They then maraud through the city engaging in smile filled water combat with anyone and everyone.
Nobody is safe! Don’t think that wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase will protect you from a drenching. Even uniformed policemen get soaked! But, with the heat of April, being soaked in water all day seems quite pleasant.
In Chiang Mai, the local population is joined by throngs of tourists as well as many Thais from surrounding towns or returning home for the holiday from Bangkok, add to them the throngs of tourists who come to join in the fun and the city is packed.
Gay Songkran in Chiang Mai
If you are planning on visiting Chiang Mai for Songkran, don’t leave it any longer to make arrangements. Flights, buses and trains to Chiang Mai are usually full, as are many hotels and guest houses. Book today and don’t delay or you may be disappointed.
For gay accommodation options in Chiang Mai check out our gay accommodation pages. Or, if your favourite hotel or guest house is already full see this article on other accommodation options in Chiang Mai.
Day time Gay Songkran
During the daytime at Songkran, a few bars with street frontage in busy areas have daytime parties. The most popular in the past has been Soho Bar otherwise follow the crowd around the moat. As well as water, alcohol is a significant part of the Songkran psyche and, despite attempts to ban it from public areas it can usually be found (N.B. in past years alcohol sales have been banned around the moat – and, in any case it is always illegal to sell alochol between 2p.m. and 5 p.m).
Night Time Gay Songkran
Whilst Songkran is a big party, the night-life is often somewhat subdued as everyone is all partied out during the day, especially those drinking under the hot sun. Quiet nights out at restaurants and a few drinks are often the most popular choices. Though be aware that, with many visitors in town, and the staff having often been out playing Songkran all day, the level of service in some places may not be at its best.
As we get more information of special Songkran events we will update them on our Chiang Mai Gay events calendar so be sure to check back
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