The false reality of Songkran according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has posted a grainy video production promoting Thai New Year – Songkran.  They show the traditional way it is supposed to be celebrated and show glimpses of reality.

Songkran Honoring the Deceased Tourism Authority of Thailand

Despite the Tourism Authority of Thailand video being in English, this is mainly geared at local Thais showing the traditional Songkran – honoring elders by pouring water over their hands and going to the local Thai temple to make merit.

What they only show in brief glimpses is the insanity of Songkran.  It doesn’t matter if you are in Bangkok, Pattaya, or Khon Kaen, you will see the craziness and not the real Songkran.

Once again the Tourism Authority of Thailand does not know their market.  The crazies that come to Thailand during Songkran are, for the most part, single men and backpackers.  They want to get drunk, get laid, and get wet.

Pouring a little bit of water on someone’s shoulder is strictly out of the question.  Fire hoses, high powered water guns and tubes, and 50-gallon drums of ice water on the back of pick-up trucks is the norm.  Smushing baby powder into someone’s face is also part of the insanity.

Here is the crappy, grainy, out of focus video on Youtube put out by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to promote Thailand.  Following are videos from Khaosan Road in Bangkok, bars and bar girls in Pattaya, and Sticky Rice Road in Khon Kaen where you can see what really goes on during Songkran and see the better quality of video shot by drunken tourists on hand-held digital cameras.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Video

Khaosan Road In Bangkok

Pattaya bars and bar girls

Sticky Rice Road in Khon Kaen

Doesn’t matter where you are, it is totally insane.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand fails to mention all of the road deaths that occur during this holiday. A deadly mixture of alcohol, wet roads, and incompetent motorcycle drivers, results in about 400 dead bodies on the roads. This is how many are actually reported and the number is most likely 2-3 times higher.

No matter what “plan” of action, advertising, limiting the hours of alcohol and beer sales, it is the same every year. Mainly because the law is not enforced. No seat belts, no motorcycle helmets, and speeding are the primary causes of death on the roadways. And, it will continue because nothing is really done to prevent it.

And, with the dates of Songkran being anywhere from 7 – 24 April, I am not sure how the Thai Government is going to define the “7 deadly days of Songkran”. My guess is from about 11 – 17 April since the official dates are 13-15 and add two days on both ends for travel and getting additionally drunk.  And, don’t go by the dates posted on Facebook by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Amazing Thailand) – they have gotten those incorrect already when sending out Event Notices to over 150,000 followers.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand offers Tips for Songkran and gets them wrong and could actually get you arrested.  They warn women tourists not to wear white T-shirt as they can be revealing when wet.  Guess that info didn’t filter down to the Thai women – and not just the bar girls.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand recommends that you put your camera in a plastic bag which is decent advice but they also say to make a copy of your passport and carry it stating that this is “perfectly legal”.  It is not.  Thai law requires foreigners to carry their passport on them at all times.  There is no mention of a copy being just as good.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also mentions that the Songkran Festival is only for 3-4 days but from what I have seen it is more like 9 solid days everywhere and some extra days in specific locations covering a time period of 7-24 April.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand also tell tourists not to wash their car.  How many tourists have a car during Songkran?  And, if they do, it is a rental and there is no need to wash it.  Stupid advice.

And, the last bit of advice from the Tourism Authority of Thailand is to protect the environment.  What a joke.  Thailand is the world’s largest trash can hosting the world’s largest outdoor water fight.  Trash will be everywhere and it won’t just be the fault of the tourists – though they will get the most blame.

I will go to the temple with family and pay my respects, and go to my wife’s uncle’s house for one day of celebrating.  After that, it will be time to lock the doors for two weeks and not show my head until I prepare for my vacation in Hua Hin when Songkran is finished.  Or mostly finished – since I am going on 18 April and some places will still be tossing water until the 24th.

If you do plan to visit Thailand during Songkran, disregard everything that the Tourism Authority of Thailand says as it is usually incorrect.

Tags: baby powder bangkok crazy insane insanity khaosan road khon kaen pattaya songkran sticky rice road TAT tourism authority of thailand water