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Krabi events - Top articleSongkranA dripping festival
Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai form, which means the entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac. It is a fixable feast on the solar calendar that begins on the 13th April and ends on the 15th April, but occasionally in certain years on the 16th April. Let’s take this festivity in stages and try to understand the underlying significance of it: the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. On the eve of Songkran Day, the people clean their house and burn all the refuse. This is a Spring Cleaning Day done as a duty in the belief that anything bad belonging to the old year will be unlucky to the owner if left and carried on to the coming New Year. Early on the first day of Songkran, the 13th April, both young and old people in their new clothing go to the Wat belonging to their village or district to offer food to the monks. In the afternoon of the same day there are bathing ceremonies of Buddha images and of the abbot of the Wat. After this, begins the well-known "water-throwing feast". For foreigners who have experienced Songkran before, this traditional Thai custom is seen to be the Kingdom's most sanuk (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm nationwide. However, you should take special care when you are driving: when on a motorbike, remember that there will be the chance of getting a bucket of water directly thrown to your face. During Songkran, mobs of children and adults alike are in control of the roads; if you are on a motorbike and they ask you to slow down then you'd better do what they say. They are armed with an arsenal of water guns, cannons as big as M47s, hoses coming directly from houses, buckets of huge dimensions, both on the side of the streets and from pick-ups loaded with water. People festive approach range from courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to a complete wash down. You may also get your face, neck or any part of the body smeared with white paste made with talcum powder: you should not turn angry, as this is another aspect of this festival and you have in fact the right to do the same. Wear clothes that you do not mind getting wet or white-powdered (it won’t stain them) and do not carry personal items such as cameras, as people have no mercy and will shower you regardless of how you are dressed or what you carry. If you are a passenger in a songthaew or a local bus, you will be the most sought after target. Buses are ambushed at strategic spots and inundated. Krabi is not as bad as Bangkok in celebrating this event, and the main water throwing might happen only on the first day. Ao Nang sees a complete halt of activities, as the main road is restricted to a one-way system by the police to ensure safety during the event. Remember that throwing water at anybody is a happy event during Songkran. It's accepted, in fact expected. Enjoy this traditional festivity; you will have something to tell your friends back home.
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Krabi Events
Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand, which are many, the Songkran is the most striking. Songkran is in fact considered to be the world’s biggest water fight, a wonderful opportunity to escape the gripping heat that keeps locals and visitors sweating in the first months of the year. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkran is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year.