Songkran!

SAWASDI PI MAI!!!
Happy New Year!!!

A lack of proper planning had our 30 day Visa’s expiring on the 13th of April. Of course, Songkran, was a 3 day celebration from April 13th to April 15th. There was NO WAY we were going to miss it. In Chumphon, we visited an immigration office who told us we would have to pay 2000 Bht ($58 USD per person, so $232 USD) to extend our visa’s for 90 days….but we only needed 48 hrs. They put a further fright into us saying that if we overstay our visa’s, we wouldn’t be aloud back in for 5 years…and we were planning on returning. Still, it was too much for us, and I just got the feeling that what they told us couldn’t be right. We opted to walk away, enjoy Songkran and accept whatever consequences that would meet us when we left Thailand. We did book a flight out of Bangkok to Hanoi, Vietnam for the 15th, giving us 2 full days to enjoy the New Year.

Papa, Lolo, Lisa and I stayed in Bangkok with the girls at an AIRbnb Condo we booked. It was to be a large 2 bedroom place, but turned out to be a large 1 bedroom apartment with 2 beds at one end of the living room, that could be separated by a drape which hung from the ceiling.

We arrived on the 12th, and when we woke the next day we weren’t sure what to expect. I had heard that Songkran was one big water fight all day long, so I brought a large water gun with me as we left the apartment. Turns out the water “fights” don’t start until the afternoon. In the morning, the Thai people go to different temples to give thanks and prayer. We saw many people pouring rose and jasmine scented water over the buddha images. It is believed that doing this will bring good fortune and prosperity for the New Year. This is also done at home by pouring the scented water over the palms of the hands or feet of the elders, and asking for forgiveness and blessing. Apart from asking for blessing, it is also believed to wash away bad things in life and welcome good fortune.

We saw the largest reclining buddha (which was REALLY big). There were lots of locals visiting the temples and going through their traditions, which we later saw the connection to the water fight. We enjoyed a breakfast in the market, and visited a temple in the 30+ degree heat, then decided to call it a morning and head back for a siesta.

Lisa and Elizabeth decided to stay behind and try their luck at the palace again. They said it was busy but very beautiful!

Everyone slept a little longer than I had expected, so I decided to go for a walk in the early afternoon. We were on a major street, so there wasn’t much action there, but I did walk past 1 fellow who was packing a large watergun, he avoided eye contact and strolled a step past me before turning and opening fire with a huge smile…my baptism “by fire”…

When I got to the intersection, I turned, and there it was… A massive street party, lined with loud music and celebrating Thai people. All smiles, the children would get you first, shooting you with waterguns of varying sizes, then the teens/adults would poor large buckets of freezing cold water on you. At this point you’d be totally drenched, and often, an elderly person (usually a lady) would gently apply a paste, or mud like substance, probably made from water and floor to your face. In this “Side Street”of Bangkok, it was a totally authentic Thai celebration. Not at all a tourists destination. After loosing track of time a bit, I figured I had better go back to join the CamFam. When I got back, soaked and facepainted, the family was still gathering themselves. They weren’t really sure what or where they wanted to go celebrate, so I think I probably convinced them to “just explore the local area”. Papa and I lead the way with cover fire provided by Ellie and Isabel. We had the BEST time going down 1 street after another. Lisa, Papa, and I would accept 1 drink after another from the families who offered. The girls quickly adjusted to, and accepted the routine. Isabel, although having a blast, was still sour-faced when the terrifically nice people approached her to have a photo or feel her hair…some things may never change.

The next day, the 14th, we tried to sleep in as much as possible, so by around 9am we decided to head downtown to an organized Songkran celebration where there was to be “splashing” parties, and a foam party. Papa and Lolo decided they would take a break from the splashing for the moment and take in some sights around the river. We had a cheap street food breakfast of rice and omelets (about $1USD ea), then headed to the city center. There there was a main street with organized parties on both sides. Water re-fill stations, tourists, and locals alike celebrated. We again, wasted no time in getting totally soaked. We lined up for about 10mins to get into the foam party. This was a fenced off area with loud party music, and a bead of soapy foam about 4 ft tall. When we got to the front, they informed us the girls were not old enough to enter. They were devastated….for about 10 seconds when they decided to ambush a nearby “Dry” person.

That night, tired as possible, knowing that the next morning we were off to the airport, we decided to go for 1 last party push. We walked across the street from our place, back to the local streets of Bangkok to search for fun. It didn’t take long! We ran into a family who was in full on party mode. They instantly took to us, and invited us to join them for a while. We ate, drank, and soaked everyone who happened by. They were so friendly and nice and I for one, will never forget their kindness.

As we approached customs at the airport at around 5am the next morning, we played “stupid” when they pointed out our expired visa’s. After a short interrogation, they charged Lisa and I 500 Bht per day (2 days because it was technically the 15th) each, so 2000 Bht total ($57 USD). The girls were free of charge. Also, they let us know that we were welcome back to Thailand anytime. So, all in all, we made a good choice not to pay that immigration officer in Chumphon 8000 Bht 🙂

I have now celebrated my “New Years” in my life, none as fun and vibrant as this one… even if it was the middle of April.