My friend, Ken, and I originally discovered "Songkran" by accident in April, 2006. We were staying at the quiet city of Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand. We decided to check out the action in the wilder city of "Patong" so we grabbed a taxi for the 15-minute ride north. We steped out of the vehicle and within 10-seconds we were wet from head-to-toe.
DRENCHED.
"Happy New Year" !!
We discovered Thai New Year which is called "Songkran". The water is a symbol of renewal. A once relatively calm tradition has become the world's largest water fight in Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya. I am looking forward to bringing my two boys, when they turn sixteen, to join in the fun.
The video your about to watch was actually shot in Cambodia during "Khmer Songkran" on April 15, 2019. I escaped Bangkok to avoid the wet and wild madness only to find out that the city of Siem Reap (famous for Angkor Wat) is the epicenter of their own water festival.
In the video, I have just eaten a delicious and meaty chicken leg from a street vendor along the Siem Reap River. I forgot to grab a napkin so I asked for help from a little guy with a super soaker and I was ambushed from behind!
Take a look:
It is an awesome time that is not to be missed, but, I have witnessed folks all dressed up for a fancy dinner exit their vehicle only to be "super soaked" by an overly enthusiastic partier... NOT COOL.
Meanwhile back in Thailand...
I took a water taxi to "Wat Arun" after taking the "Sky Train" from Nana Plaza Station for under 2 U.S. dollars.
There is 4 Baht (13 cents) water taxi to "The Grand Palace" from Wat Arun. It is a super inexpensive way to see the temples of Bangkok for an enjoyable day trip.
Here's an upbeat and inspirational song to celebrate "Chinese New Year" which happens before Thai and Khmer Songkran. The song features vocalist: Vanessa Bryan:
