SONGKROW

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When we were enroute to Bangkok Ali Annabel mentioned to us that while we were here it was to be the Thai New Year. They have been here before at this time and warned us what to expect. However the recent political unrest in the city meant that perhaps Songkrow would be postponed for this year. However the authorities, although suggesting that this should be the case, underestimated the resolve of the Thai people who were determined to keep to their traditions...
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Apparently the way to wish someone a happy new year is to sprinkle, yes I said SPRINKLE water on them and then place a small amount of flour on their face. As usual, this has evolved into a manic nationwide party where de rigor is to have the meanest, the best and the wettest method of soaking people to the bone whilst wishing them Happy New Year. While you are doing this it is also a good idea to have a tin of noodle past or flour to apply liberally to the unsuspecting or often helpless victims.

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The wise tourist or 'Farang' is easy and a delicate meat. It therefore prudent to avoid blind corners on the pavement and watch out for passing tuk tuks or open backed trucks armed to the teeth with various water soakers. These can range from a simple and fairly ineffective water pistol, to a hose pipe connected to a vat of water, with a powerful pump powered by it's own generator. Trust me, these will soak you to the bone. However my initiation was less violent. I was attacked on my way to the ferry station by a gang of two toddlers. Both were armed with soakers and both blindsided me whilst we were waiting for Alistair to return with a new pair of flip flops after blowing his own out. After this mean and vicious attack during which we were all ( apart from the absent Hearn) soaked and daubed accordingly, we made our way to the ferry where we were advised to put our cameras in the (provided) plastic bags for the remainder of the day.

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The ferry ride passed without incident, but as soon as one's food was placed on dry land, one became a target once again. At one stop, we saw a gang of people who had rigged up a plastic fire man type pipe with generator of course, and the feeder end was in the river, providing and endless supply of water to squirt (not really the right word) everybody who came near and all traffic that went past, including innocent looking people going about their daily moped business. Cars, buses and trucks were soaked then daubed with noodle paste. Trish, because of her complexion received special treatment, and Annabel too, with her blond hair was a prime target.

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In the evening the streets of Bangkok were turned into battle areas, with snipers around every corner waiting to turn the merely sweaty prospective diner, into a soaked one. The centre of our little area of town was awash with water and dancing people. Of course we failed to keep dry but by the time we had run the gauntlet down to New Joe's we were relatively unnscathed.