Julie Lythgoe has
witnessed a number of Songkran celebrations.
Nutsara Duangsri
Perhaps no subject draws as vehement an opinion of Pattaya as the city’s
Songkran celebration.
Opinions of the week-long water fight generally depend on how many Thai
New Year celebrations a tourist or expat have endured. Newcomers,
especially young ones, seem thrilled with the idea of splashing anyone
and everyone with water, no matter how cold the liquid or what the
victim is wearing.
Many experienced hands hate it. Even those with complimentary things to
say about the way Pattaya celebrates temper their words with caution.
C.J. (right) and his
younger brother enjoy the reveling.
British expat Julie Lythgoe said she’s spent several
Songkran holidays in Pattaya. She initially liked the traditional, funny
and unique festival and enjoyed watching people splashing water on each
other. But Lythgoe also recalled the many road accidents caused by
careless revelers throwing water in the faces of moving motorcyclists
and fights fueled by excessive alcohol abuse.
Thais, she said, are much more considerate when throwing water than
foreign tourists.
Another Briton, identified only as “C.J.”, said he’s been living in
Pattaya for three years after coming four times for Songkran as a
tourist. He recalled how exciting his first Songkrans were, but offers
plenty of warnings to newbies: Beware of ice thrown by some, powerful
water jets blasted by others and do not go outside at all during
daylight if you want to remain dry.
Thai tourist Pawilai from Udon Thani marveled at how differently Pattaya
celebrates Songkran compared with her hometown. She said ice, powerful
water guns and sticky powder are used only in Pattaya, where there are
also many more foreigners fighting water battles.
Pawilai from Udon Thani
says the holiday is much different here in Pattaya than in her home
town.
