Since looking menacing, and emphatically stating "NO" several times may not deter the most ambitious of Thai people determined to smear and soak you and your belongings, and since breaking their jaw is only an option if you have enough money to pay for their medical bills, I and about 98% of the rest of the farang resident population either leaves Thailand or hides in their houses until the party has finished.
Well, as always, the Songkran celebrations do an excellent job of culling the herd as an average of 40,000 injuries and 500 deaths (greatly decreased from 60,000 only a few years ago) will occur over the week-or-so celebration. (Yet one more reason to stay inside.)
It's sad, because it is such a great premise for a holiday, and the traditional washings and offerings just seem so right as a way to welcome a new year. It's just a shame that it is not possible to find some peaceful, dry, observe-from-a-distance manner in which to enjoy and appreciate it.
Mango Sauce's David puts it so succinctly:
According to long term ex-pats, Songkran was good clean fun until about 10 years ago... Perhaps I've lost my sense of humour but I don't find it particularly funny to send a motorcyclist sprawling under the wheels of a passing truck by throwing talcum powder in his eyes.
For those readers who suspect that I'm a miserable fucker I can exclusively reveal that I also hate Christmas.
1 comment:
No wonder both my farang colleagues "run" from Bangkok and seek refuge elsewhere before returning to the office next week.
I guess "moderation" is still the best policy...even when u are out having fun!!
Post a Comment