45. Song Kran: New Year in Thailand

  • Song Kran in live with our special reporter: Pierre with Samantha

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    An image showing Chris, a traveller I met in Australia, informed me about this "water festival", also known as Song Kran (the Thai new year) which would take place in Thailand at the same time that I would be there. Intrigued by the idea I decided to spend three days in Chiang Mai, the epicenter of this event: the hottest part of the year, everyone is equipped with a water gun in hand and sprinkles anybody wishing him: "Sabadi Song Kran" (Happy New Year!).

    • Chris, a traveller I met in Australia, informed me about this "water festival", also known as Song Kran (the Thai new year) which would take place in Thailand at the same time that I would be there. Intrigued by the idea I decided to spend three days in Chiang Mai, the epicenter of this event: the hottest part of the year, everyone is equipped with a water gun in hand and sprinkles anybody wishing him: "Sabadi Song Kran" (Happy New Year!).

  • Chiang Mai

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    An image showing This "capital" of the north of Thailand has the most traditional approach which makes Song Kran so entertaining: the old town is surrounded by a rampart and a moat around which everyone meets and sprays their water.

    • This "capital" of the north of Thailand has the most traditional approach which makes Song Kran so entertaining: the old town is surrounded by a rampart and a moat around which everyone meets and sprays their water.

  • An image showing Obviously, everybody is sprinkled from every direction. Well, considering the surrounding heat, that's fair. When comes the time to refill the water guns, people approach the vendors that own huge basins of waters from the moat or their private taps.

    • Obviously, everybody is sprinkled from every direction. Well, considering the surrounding heat, that's fair. When comes the time to refill the water guns, people approach the vendors that own huge basins of waters from the moat or their private taps.

    • The most evil people add a big block of ice in their water. With me in the crowd, every traitor throwing icy water has had to be punished!

    • Songkran: New Year Thai explained:

  • An image showing My favorite weapon is the bucket. A bucket in hand, I can flood low water guns that try to soak me. But when the sprinkler is getting ready for round two, I have a second bucket ready to complete my victims... before fleeing.

    • My favorite weapon is the bucket. A bucket in hand, I can flood low water guns that try to soak me. But when the sprinkler is getting ready for round two, I have a second bucket ready to complete my victims... before fleeing.

    • Songkran in action:

  • An image showing Meetings happen all the time. Travellers come from everywhere to Chiang Mai to celebrate Song Kran. The Thai whiskey buckets alone are really worth the travel. Everything in the atmosphere is about having a great feeling!

    • Meetings happen all the time. Travellers come from everywhere to Chiang Mai to celebrate Song Kran. The Thai whiskey buckets alone are really worth the travel. Everything in the atmosphere is about having a great feeling!

  • An image showing In the street, some local people decorate our faces with a pasty cream named Thanaka. Its virtues are still unknown for me but we were all decked out in it during the festival.

    • In the street, some local people decorate our faces with a pasty cream named Thanaka. Its virtues are still unknown for me but we were all decked out in it during the festival.

  • An image showing The food in Chiang Mai is the best of the Thai cuisine. From Pad Thai (fried Chinese noodles) to the Chicken with peanut sauce; my stomach is delighted!

    • The food in Chiang Mai is the best of the Thai cuisine. From Pad Thai (fried Chinese noodles) to the Chicken with peanut sauce; my stomach is delighted!

  • An image showing The owner of our hostel, Kikie, proposes us to visit her ecotourism project of housing, they are building in her native village. The opportunity for us to discover this building which concept is very original; is very exciting!

    • The owner of our hostel, Kikie, proposes us to visit her ecotourism project of housing, they are building in her native village. The opportunity for us to discover this building which concept is very original; is very exciting!

  • An image showing The group then went for bamboo rafting. Whereas we were admiring the banks, we discovered that Song Kran happens also here: Thai tourists and locals equipped with water guns surround us. We can barely defend our ground.

    • The group then went for bamboo rafting. Whereas we were admiring the banks, we discovered that Song Kran happens also here: Thai tourists and locals equipped with water guns surround us. We can barely defend our ground.

    • Let's switch on the GoPro and live in the battlefield where an enemy with long defenses is in the process of attacking us to reverse. Yann attacks WATER GUN but it is not very effective!

  • The Canyon of Chiang Mai

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    An image showing And one jump from 12 meters high in these so deep waters. We had to jump!

    • And one jump from 12 meters high in these so deep waters. We had to jump!

    • And when ready, we can jump from the top: 15 meters high! I didn't wait before jumping!

    • I should admit: when you are stared by about fifteen spectators, especially the family of your guesthouse with whom you have celebrated Song Kran, you do not want to mess up the trick. Some people even tried that day to do a backflip!

  • An image showing Short rest at the local cascade with the group. An opportunity to cool even if we are already all wet. We approached the fall and climbed it despite the slippery rocks.

    • Short rest at the local cascade with the group. An opportunity to cool even if we are already all wet. We approached the fall and climbed it despite the slippery rocks.

  • An image showing And the result of those three days of over hydration: a phone which took moisture and a beautiful bill of reparation. However it is twice cheaper than in France. A beautiful screen brand new, cool!

    • And the result of those three days of over hydration: a phone which took moisture and a beautiful bill of reparation. However it is twice cheaper than in France. A beautiful screen brand new, cool!

  • What to keep in mind

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    An image showing Song Kran, it is an extraordinary experience, a childish dream that becomes true. And we know, Thai people are great children! Embeded in this decor with their beam and a host of funky activities to live amongst. In short like our band, once you have lived the moment you must go there every year!

    • Song Kran, it is an extraordinary experience, a childish dream that becomes true. And we know, Thai people are great children! Embeded in this decor with their beam and a host of funky activities to live amongst. In short like our band, once you have lived the moment you must go there every year!

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