Today is the first day of the three day Songkran festival, which marks the Thai New Year. Throughout the country, Thais celebrate this mid-summer holiday by splashing and throwing water at one another, shooting each other with water guns, and by mixing water and clay and smearing it on other people's faces while wishing them a happy New Year (sawatdi bii mai). It is also a time when most people in Bangkok leave for their home towns to spend the holidays with their families. For those who remain, there are a couple of places known all over for their all day watery activities.
Sert is a friend and team member from work. He volunteered to take me today to "play Songkran" at one of those places, Silom Road. I gladly accepted, and I am glad I did. I had no idea what I was in for!
Hordes of people coming down from the Sky Train to join in the fun.
There's more to it than this... this packed crowd goes on for as far as you can see. In both directions. For long stretches, you are shoulder to shoulder and you just move when the crowd moves.
Believe me, I looked worse than this most of the day. Many times, my face was coated with the clay mixture. The Thais thought this big foreigner was a tempting target! But whether they doused me with water or smeared my face, it was always done in fun and with abroad smile and wishes for a good new year.
Sert (on the left) also got his face smudged up, as did the boys in the background.
Breaking out the big artillery, a fire hose!
Vendors all along the street on both sides serve as cheerleaders and sell cold drinks, clay for smudging faces, and help people reload their 'weapons.'
And it just keeps going on and on and on... utterly amazing.
We worked up a good hunger by the time we were through, so we finished the day with my favorite, grapow moo (minced pork with basil over rice). What a fantastic day. Thanks, Sert!
