In less than a week now, we are going to reach the famous festival in the summer holidays, Songkran. Most people in Thailand, especially teenagers, are all waiting for this time of year to come. Everyone is looking forward to the day so that they can throw water on each other without people getting moody or mad.

You have to be careful if you are in Thailand at this time of year. Someone might try to get you wet on purpose! Also, if you are on your way to work or to do something important, avoid walking along the road or getting on a bus or songthaew that doesn’t have any windows.

You could tell people that you don’t want to get wet because you need to go to do something important. But, I don’t think you would survive from the water that easily because you would have to say that to every single person you met! I think the best way for you to move around the city is in an air-conditioned taxi and remember to look left and right when you get out! Actually, I know some people who don’t like getting wet at all and they hide indoors for that week!

Songkran is really an important day for Thai people. In the old days, it used to be our New Year. On this day, we go to visit our elders to pour some scented water on their hands. We also go to the temple to make merit. Once that is finished it is time for the younger people to change their clothes and to go out to have a water fight. The reason they do this is because Songkran is always held in April, the hottest month of the year. So they throw some water just to stop people getting hot! Well, that is my excuse!

I remember that when I was a kid, I used to play Songkran with my younger brother at my grandmother’s house. I stood in front of the house and threw water on everyone that walked past, even motorcycles that rode past!

Songkran goes on for three to four days, sometimes longer. Last year, I went around on my motorbike with my girlfriend. We drove around Paknam market and then went to Taiban to meet up with some of my friends. Along this road there are always hundreds of people and a big traffic jam of motorcycles and pick-up trucks. So you cannot escape easily. A lot of people stopped us to put white powder on our faces. It took us about an hour to ride one kilometre down this road. By the time we got to the far end we looked like ghosts with our white faces!

On the second day, I went to my friend’s house and we grouped there to play Songkran. His house is by the side of the road in a place that lots of people come to play. We stood there all day playing Songkran. That time we threw water at motorcyclists going by. But it was more fun with the pick-up trucks. They had big tubs of water in the back so it was a proper water fight. We really enjoyed it.

We played Songkran at my friend’s house until late at night then I took my girlfriend back home. It was so cold while we were riding on the bike with our clothes wet from the water. We also got attacked from pick-up trucks. We smiled and then tried to get away from the water!

I really had fun last year. This year my girlfriend and I are really looking forward to Songkran. We might start to play Songkran a few days before the actual date comes, the same as other people. Last year, I didn’t go to my grandparent’s house to pay respect to them. I will ask my girlfriend to remind me this year not to forget! Make sure you don’t forget too!