[sydneyboy]

I am seeking advice as to what Bangkok is like during the Songkran Festival (13-15 April in 2009). What is closed? What are the bars like? Are there any major disruptions or annoyances for the average foreign gay traveller, or any traveller for that matter?

[x in pattaya]

Much the same applies just about anywhere in Thailand.

Except in Pattaya/ Jomtien it tends to go on much longer.

For every rule there has to be an exception and when it comes to Songkran it's Pattaya.

In Chonburi Songkran is celebrates Sonkran on a Wan Lai principal. That means the day floats and is celebrated in different cities on different days. Although Pattaya is Chonburi Provinces most famous town it is not the provincial capital, Chonburi Town is. It is quite natural that the first day of celebration should be in the provincial capital- Muang Chonburi. On 16th April it moves to Sri Ratcha, and on the 17th to Sattahip. The next day 18th April it is the turn of Banglamung and Naklua before it finally arrives into Pattaya on 19th April.

That is the theory but the problem is that there are so many visitors in Pattaya over Songkran that are think the festivals start on 13th the there are street water battles for more than a week. And that is also during the Pattaya Festival April 14-19.

http://www.hotelthailand.com/ezine/2000 ... zine3.html


Photos: http://www.pattayamail.com/769/songkran ... .php?pid=7

[kjun12]

During this event there is really no problem except on the actual day of Songkran. Getting to bars like Telephone or any others on Soi 4 is difficult as the Soi is very crowded and water is flying everywhere. Walking the streets on that day you are almost certainly going to get very wet. TRAFFIC IS MAJOR. The traffic downtown is brought to a snail's pace. Especially on Silom. I think it is one of the world's great good times and it is good to join in. Join get your mind in the right mode and get in on the fun. Just be prepared. Wearing a swim suit is a fine idea. HAVE FUN.

[sydneyboy]

What is the "actual day" of the festival? The first, second or last?

[soi_toi]

What is the "actual day" of the festival? The first, second or last?

The water throwing lasts for a few days. I got soaked walking down Surawong the day before the festival this year, and Silom was wet for the following three days, April 13, 14, 15, 2008.

On Google calendar for 2009, Songkran is April 13, 14, 15, 2009.

[TrongpaiExpat]

MRT the Subway was refusing passengers entry who where water soaked or power covered at Silom. BTS the Sky Train was a little more lenient. So if you want to get out via MRT, bring a change of clothes.

Generally at night fall in Bangkok the madness stops but in Pattya, forget it. It extends both in days and hours, throws ice water, throws buckets of water at moving motorbikes and 9 times out of ten such dangerous acts are perpetrated by farangs and as you all know Pattaya is crawling with farangs.

Chiang Mai goes all out for Songkran and I have been there a few times and don't find is as offensive and combative as Pattaya.

[dave_syd]

Generally at night fall in Bangkok the madness stops

not in Silom - soi 4 was still going crazy when i left at 3am reach nite

[padlom]

Generally at night fall in Bangkok the madness stops

not in Silom - soi 4 was still going crazy when i left at 3am reach nite

There's a few photos on silomsoi4.net one of them showing a fire truck spraying the crowd on Silom

[TrongpaiExpat]

Khao San road as well to be avoided or attended depending on your aims.