April 13 is considered as the traditional Thai New
Year’s day, similar to that of January 1 in the Gregorian calendar, and
with brings a host of festivals throughout the nation spread over 3 days,
April 13-15. Festivities include a wide variety of activities from
traditional religious ceremonies to the modern day water wars.
Wirawat
Khakai, deputy mayor elect performs the bathing of the Buddha Image as
part of the religious ceremonies.
Over the generations, the eastern region has developed
their agenda for Songkran extending after the rest of Thailand has ended.
Bang Saen residents carry out their ‘Wan Lai’ or
water splash fest on April 17. The day typically begins with the members
of the local administration and business community participating in
numerous competitions throughout the day with one of most spectacular
being the sand sculpting contest and parade. Specific to the seaside town
is the oyster opening competition, as well as water boxing, sack races and
tug ‘o’ war up to the water throwing along the streets.
“Bless
you my child...”
This year, throughout the kingdom regulations
prohibiting the use of PVC water canons among revelers has reduced the
potential for tragedy, a regulation that has been enforced albeit to a
limited degree due to the sheer number of people participating.
Closer to Pattaya, people in Nongprue district on April
17 perform a variety of ceremonies steeped in local religious and
superstitious belief as residents call for a good rainy season ahead and
present carved fruit and make merit at local temples.
Activities in Naklua take place on April 18 culminating
in a similar fashion. This year residents and city officials performed
‘Tak Baht’ and merit making ceremonies with 99 monks present.
In
Naklua, 99 monks received alms during the ‘Tak Baht’ ceremony.
Religious
ceremonies took place in Naklua early in the morning during the Wan Lai on
April 18.
Once the formalities were over, all hell broke loose on
the streets with thousands taking to the streets for the ‘big wet’ in
preparation for Pattaya’s water wars the following day.
Early on Monday morning more ceremonies were carried
out at the local temple with senior city officials, including mayor elect
Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Surat Mekavarakul and city council members
taking part in the merit making activities before the parade hit the
streets of Pattaya. Monks in the backs of cars followed residents along
Second Road and back down Beach Road, bestowing blessings and health and
prosperity.
Don’t
look now, but you’ve got a pretty big case of “buffaloes”...
By midday, the city streets had already filled with
pickup truck, cars and trucks, paralyzing the city’s traffic, while
groups of roadside revelers lined the road throwing water and powder at
anyone and everyone.
Groups of youths were seen partying throughout the
city, drinking and dancing in the streets, despite the apparent ban on
alcohol consumption to prevent an outbreak of arguments.
The
elephants at Nong Nooch enjoyed the celebration.
To some degree, efforts were successful as there were
no major incidents reported. Law enforcement officers and volunteers were
spotted around Pattaya and Jomtien, preventing any potentially explosive
incidents.
This year’s festivities saw a great increase in
numbers with the majority of revelers converging on Pattaya for the annual
‘Wan Lai’. This generated hundreds of millions of baht for the city,
and especially for those businesses that dared to stay open.
Pol. Lt Col. Somchai Phongsai told reporters that the
increase in vehicles created mass chaos on city streets, specifically
Sukhumvit, Central Pattaya and Beach Roads. Despite the madness, injuries
due to accidents was significantly reduced to approximately 30 cases
involving motorcyclists with no deaths recorded.
Ahhhh,
nothing like a cool shower on a hot afternoon.
Tougher enforcement of drunk driving and helmet laws
has been credited for the decrease in fatalities throughout the country.
Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, mayor elect, pours water over the hands of senior
citizens at the Naklua ceremonies.
“I’m
gonna get you...”
Grandma
can still dance the ram wong!
He
must have lost a bet...
What?
We’re not supposed to use powder this year?
Oy
falang!
I’m
glad this only comes once a year.
Armed
and at the ready, but first a break for beer.
Three
to a bike? No helmets? So much for cracking down on those offenses...
“Back
you roustabouts, back I say!”
Once
again, traffic was brought to a complete standstill.
Mayhem
in front of the Soi 9 police station.
What?
You’re not wet yet? We’ll fix that!
I can
squirt further than you can.
Gotcha!
Nong
Bo, Pattaya’s answer to Janet Jackson, turned more than a few heads with
her chosen apparel, or lack of, during the grand opening ceremonies.
Sarah
Malakul looking as cute as a button in this pink number.
Thai
supermodel Yo Yosawasdee looks fantastic is this summer collection at the
grand opening ceremonies.
Miss
Tiffany 2004, the two runner-ups and Miss Tiffany 2003 pose for final photos
on the magical night.
Trichada
Petcharut (left) receives the Miss Sweet Face prize.