Unrecognizable, this is what becomes of Bangkok a few days leading up to Songkran, the most important festival in the kingdom. During this period (April 13-15), the world-famous traffic jams are almost non-existent and noise level drops considerably as people return to their hometowns to celebrate the Thai New Year with family.
With similar celebrations in neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, Songkran's origin can be traced back to the Tai people (ancestors of the modern day...
more »Unrecognizable, this is what becomes of Bangkok a few days leading up to Songkran, the most important festival in the kingdom. During this period (April 13-15), the world-famous traffic jams are almost non-existent and noise level drops considerably as people return to their hometowns to celebrate the Thai New Year with family.
With similar celebrations in neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, Songkran's origin can be traced back to the Tai people (ancestors of the modern day Thais) of southern China whose culture is based on the climatic cycle of farming and agriculture.
In Bangkok, the two main areas to experience the dowsing mayhem are Silom, the business district and Khao San Road, the backpacker haven. Smaller gatherings also happen in neighborhoods and can be just as fun. The key to surviving the three-day ballistic festivities is keeping a cool head as no one is immune from having a target on their backs.
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