Thai Photo Blogs by Richard BarrowIn Thailand, 116 people were killed and 1,760 injured in 1,626 accidents over the first three of the seven dangerous days of Songkran. Bangkok yesterday emerged as the province with the most traffic fatalities with the death toll at seven. Chiang Rai was second with six deaths. The death toll on Wednesday alone soared to 57, sharply higher than 29 and 30 on the first two days. Compared to the first three days of celebrations last year, deaths were...
Thailand has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest water pistol fight, with 3,477 participating in a ten-minute shootout in Bangkok. Thousands of people armed with water pistols took part in the event, breaking the record set by 2,671 Spaniards in 2007. The world record attempt also coincided with Thailand’s New Year Songkran Water Festival. ‘Today, we made the world’s largest water fight’, said deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot. ”We are happy and all Thais are also...
Despite some heavy rain this morning, local people in Samut Prakan come out to celebrate Songkran by throwing water at each other. Today is the official start of the water fights and will continue for at least three days.
A good place to enjoy the traditional side of Songkran, and probably learn a bit about its culture and history, is at the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue in Bangkok. For this month, until 30th April 2011, they have a free exhibition where you can learn about Songkran in the four regions of Thailand. Outside they also have an old Thai style food market and cultural shows in the evening. Pictures on Facebook >>>
At 4pm on Wednesday 13 April, more than 3,000 challengers will gather at the vast plaza of CentralWorld in Bangkok to shoot water from their cannons at each other for at least 10 minutes nonstop, in an effort to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. Source: The Nation
Early on the morning of 13th April, I will be joining hundreds of local people in Samut Prakan to give alms to monks. Thai people do this to make merit which is a good way to start the new year. Afterwards, Thai people will pour rose scented water over the hands of their elders. In return they will receive a blessing. These events will happen all over Thailand on this day. Many places will also have Songkran parades.
There are two places in Bangkok where you can celebrate the more traditional side of Songkran this week. These are Nakaphirom Park and Wat Pho. They are next door to each alongside the Chao Phraya River. The easiest way to go there is by river express boat to pier N8 at Thai Tien. They are open all day but the cultural shows are only in the late afternoon and evening. At Wat Pho they are on between 4 p.m....
Most of the people in Bangkok and vicinities are planning to spend their long Songkran holidays inside Thailand with the average spending of 6,898 baht per person, according to a recent survey by Assumption University Research Center (ABAC Poll). The survey was conducted with 1,509 respondents aged more than 18 residing in Bangkok and vicinities from 5 to 10 April 2011. Asked about their plans during Songkran Festival this year, 97.5% of the respondents indicated they would travel within...
Thai Airways International (THAI) has slashed its prices by 50% during Songkran Festival while the elders are able to use the Airport Link train for free. Executive Vice President for THAI’s Commercial Department Pandit Chanaphai has said the prices of domestic flights en route to Bangkok from across the country except from Samui Island will be reduced by 50% from 12-14 April, 2011. All flights flying to Bangkok from Chiang Mai costs 1,580 THB, Chiang Rai 1,830 THB, Khon...
Twenty-nine people were killed in road accidents yesterday, the first of the “seven dangerous days” of the Songkran holiday, from April 11 to 17, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Tuesday. Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces had the highest number of road fatalities at three each. About 400 people were injured in road accidents yesterday. Ayutthaya province had the most injured people at 22. Most accidents, or about 30.14 per cent, were attributed to...
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