Songkran continues

Songkran Waterfight

So it turned out that my Songkran withdrawals didn't last long.

Arriving in Thailand Celine and I got a 30 day on-arrival stamp. With our 30 days coming to an end we had to organise a tourist visa. To do this you need to leave the country so we opted for a trip to Laos. We booked it through a visa-run company, Five Star Visa Runs, which left from Pattaya; a beach town about two hours drive from Bangkok.

Enjoying Songkran

We decided to pack light with only a few pairs of clothes, our computer, camera and a couple of books. Arriving at the bus station in Pattaya it was clear that Songkran hadn't finished and as it turns out different places celebrate the festival on different days; good to know for next year. Jomtien Beach, where we were staying, was celebrating Songkran that day.

We hoped on a tuk tuk, the only available transportation, and took the 10km ride to our hotel. We were sitting ducks; vulnerable and easy prey. Sitting in small trucks parked on the side of the road or standing alongside big tubs of water, locals waited for passing traffic. We were the passing traffic and my bald head seemed to be target number one. Some had buckets of water, others a garden hose and many high powered water guns but regardless the tool the intention was the same and the results successful. Slowing down at the traffic lights improved their hit rate. My pleading smile was met with a cheeky grin and a second later I felt the whack of cold water. This process was repeated every 30 odd seconds. It wasn't long before I was soaked. I wasn't the only target. On the tuk tuk an old Thai lady copped equal abuse and was repeatedly hit from behind with water running through her hair and down her face. She laughed the whole time showing the spirit of Songkran.

Songkran traffic jam

My main concern was our bags. The tuk tuk driver dropped us off pointing in the direction of our hotel. With our backpacks on we walked a short distance while getting bombarded with water. We were in the wrong street. We took refuge in a bar and asked the waitress for directions. Drenched and dancing provocatively to techno beats, in skimpy hot pants and a singlet, she informed us that we were quite a way from our hotel. She offered to organise motorbike taxis for us which we happily accepted. The motorbike taxis turned out to be her who saw no issue in taking both Celine and I, as well as our bags. She was miniature and weighed about 40 kgs but was nonchalant about the task at hand. She grabbed her keys, connected to a well endowed rubber penis, and pushed the bike onto the street. We all piled onto the bike and rode off; her bursting bum cleavage staring up at us. Funny times.

Songkran water fight continues

It was a painful trip through a traffic jam of festivities which saw all of us, including our bags, get more and more wet. Our bags were now in a poor state but we hugged them like one would protect a loved one from gun-fire. The gunfire never stopped. Slowly we made our way to our hotel as the close range attacks continued. Sopping wet and a little demoralised we thanked our little Thai warrior who smiled and rode back into battle.

In the hotel we checked for damages. All our money submerged into a wet lump which I peeled apart slowly, drying each bill with toilet paper. All our clothes were wet. Our books were wet but not destroyed. My passport, which had to be submitted the following day to immigration, was sodden. Pages were stuck together with the ink from stamps running across pages. Having already been told about the issues of presenting a ‘dirty passport,’ it was not looking good for my visa run. The computer and camera were luckily ok.

After a bit of a break we headed outside to enjoy the end of the festival.

Tip of the Day: Check the Songkran dates before you travel. Thais and foreigners alike show no mercy; with or without bags.