In Thailand, the traditional New Year's Water Festival is called Songkran and it is celebrated right now from April 13-15. Of course, it starts before and goes long afterwards as Thais drink to excess, splash water on each other continually and enjoy themselves immensely. It is the hottest part of the year and generally speaking a little water is very welcome! The water metaphorically washes away all of your sins for the year, just as Jews at New Year's wash away their sins in the nearest body of water.
The problem, and I call it a problem, not a challenge, is the stupid "farang" or foreigners who buy the biggest water cannons they can find and walk near the street spraying motor bikes and tuk tuk drivers with pails full of water. This results in many traffic fatalities every year in Thailand and it is very dangerous.
This is what you see all the time if you are lucky enough to be alive after falling off a motorcycle. I have personally witnessed two fatalities in the last two days and I dare say it was the foreigners and not the Thais who created these accidents as the pavement becomes deadly slippery and the drivers swerve to avoid fools who put ice in the water.
People are also walking around sprinkled with powder which can cause momentary blindness.
I am begging all "farangs" to let the Thais do their thing and just watch and enjoy. If you must throw water, do what the Thais do. Fill a little small bowl with water and sprinkle it on passers by. Put the guns away.
You are visitors in this Land of Smiles. Not an invading army!!!
People are also walking around sprinkled with powder which can cause momentary blindness.
I am begging all "farangs" to let the Thais do their thing and just watch and enjoy. If you must throw water, do what the Thais do. Fill a little small bowl with water and sprinkle it on passers by. Put the guns away.
You are visitors in this Land of Smiles. Not an invading army!!!
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