In order to decrease the number of death during Songkran festival, more policemen are involved to check drivers. Senior police officers proposed zoning for Songkran celebrations as way of reducing the road carnage during the long Songkran holiday.
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During Songkran festival every kind of vehicule is used
in order to transport as many people as possible. Many people
means more fun, more "SANUK" (สนุก).
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| Splash cars |
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During Songkran festival, there are two ways to enjoy splashing people. First way is to go with many friends in a pickup. Then go through the villages and small towns and enjoy splashing the other cars and people in front of their house. The only problem when using a pickup is to find a way to fill again the empty tanks.
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The second way is to stay in front of the house. Then fill tanks with water
and splash cars when they pass. Traditional "weapon" is the bucket. Nowadays
modern water guns with embedded tanks can be bought.
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| Splash cars |
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Everybody takes part into Songkran festival. Young and old people. Boys, girls and "KATOEI" (กะเทย). It is the opportunity for other revelers to make some girlish shouts and phrasings such as "KHON SUEY" (คนสวย). Even monks or policemen are splashed.
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Going on a pickup is also funny as it allows to go in many places.
But it has a few disavantages. When driving above 40 mph, it becomes chilly even
with the sun. When receiving some water at fast speed in the face, it really hurts.
The last but the least is to find places where to buy water to fill tank. Hopefully
there are always people selling water from river but its quality and smell are
average.
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| Splash cars |
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Foreigners are sure to be called "FARANG" (ฝรั่ง), hear a numerous of time "hello" and to receive many water buckets.
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Of course splashing cars with closed windows is less interesting. No need
to waste water. It is more funny to splash pickups, motorcycles. Anyway
cars with closed windows receive some water for purification.
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| Splash cars |
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For people traveling with their cars during Songkran festival it is safer to lock the doors. Some drunk people sometimes try to open the doors.
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Some people also put ice in the water.
To receive icy water (NAM YEN - น้ำเย็น)
when a temperaturing reaches 40 °C / 104 °F can be dangerous for health.
Wearing sunglasses during Songkran
is an error. When people throw water roughly they shall fall on the ground.
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| Splash cars |
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It can be dangerous for people driving motorcycles. If people splash roughly motorcycles, accidents can happen due to wet roads. Sometimes the motorcycle cannot start again due to wet engine candles.
Girls and young women on motorcycles are favorite targets. Often boys stop the motorcycles, even switch off engines to throw water on girls and put some talcum powder on their face. This is always done with fun but sometimes some drunk guys stop motorcycles dangerously. To put talcum powder on revelers face ("TAK PAENG" - ตากแป็ง)is now was also forbidden. Many boys take this opportunity to seize the girl breast and to kiss her cheeks ("OM KAEN" - หอมแก็ม). This new law is supposed to decrease this sexist behavior. This rite is called "THA PAENG KAN PHI" - ทาแป็งกันผี. This is an old Songkran tradition. The white paste was supposed to bring protection and to ward off bad spirits.
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Even if Songkran festival is a big game, throwing water roughly hurts
people. When getting excited and sometimes drunk, people lose their inhibition
and they can hurt without intention.
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| Splash cars |
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For Songkran or Thai New Year, the traditional greeting is "Happy New Year" ("SAWATDEE PI MAI" - สวัสดีปีใหม่) or "Lucky New Year" ("CHOK DEE PI MAI" - โชคดีปีใหม่). Heard less frequently is the expression "Be happy on Songkran day" ("KOR HAI MII KWAM SUUK NAI WAN SONGKRAN" - ขอให้มีความสุขในวันสงกรานต์). If you want to get someone back, try "take that!" ("SOM NAM NA!" - สมน้ำหน้า).
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Favorite targets are cars with opened windows or
provincial buses without air conditioning. With temperatures reaching 40 °C / 104 °F,
the bus driver must open the doors and windows to get some air while driving.
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| Splash bus |
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High-pressure water guns are now banned, as is rubbing powder on others. Paint and ice are out and young women are being urged not to wear skimpy tops. Water guns can cause eye injuries or blindness. Whistles used to stop vehicules were also forbidden. Violators may face a maximum jail term of five years and/or a fine of 500 000 Baht.
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A terrific and memorable experience is going in towns and narrow streets where revellers are waiting
on both street sides. It is the best way to understand Songkran madness.
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| Splash cars |
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Songkran festival is the most dangerous period for drivers. In year 2001, 700 people have been killed and over 60 000 injured in accidents and brawls during Songkran period. Of the reported deaths, 482 were caused by road accidents. The majority of people who died were motorcycle riders who slipped on wet roads. Despite the law, during hot season most people don't wear helmet. Drunk driving accounted for nearly 90% of the accidents, mostly involving males aged 15-25 years. In year 2003 at least 613 people died in road accidents during Songkran celebrations. The deaths exceeded last year's toll of 567, and exposed the failure of a government campaign to keep traffic fatalities below 480 during this year's Songkran holiday. More than four out of five accident victims were motorcyclists - and well over half were drunk. In year 2006, the road toll during the 10-day Songkran holiday was 476 deaths and 5985 injuries.
| Click on the projector |
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to start this movie shot during Songkran festival. |
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