It was my intent to let Songkran go after the post
last Friday's mention, but now that the sometimes seemingly inexhaustible holiday has finally dribbled to a close (so to speak - no offense to any of my older male readers with enlarged prostates) I've found myself once again looking back through photos old and new that sit in the "Holidays" folder; a reminder of both the fun I've missed
and the inconvenience and mess I've avoided.
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| Water scented with rose petals for a traditional blessing |
One of these years I'd really like to experience a more traditional Songkran in Thailand; the observance of the new year, the simple water blessings and showing of respect - and the more-or-less innocent water splashing fun, but on a lower key than the mass melee in, say, Pattaya or Chiang Mai. Especially in Pattaya, where the buckets of fun have unfortunately become a free-for-all; a place where too many amped-up foreigners (and some Thai) have come to think that reckless behavior is acceptable, and people get hurt.
The simple blessing by pouring a bit of rose-scented water over the hands and the playful splashing is still the norm throughout most of the country, I'm told, and that's nice to hear.
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| They were playing, but a tuk tuk is foolish during Songkran |
The part of the festivities I know I
wouldn't enjoy would be getting soaked when you didn't WANT to be wet, were carrying something that shouldn't get wet or when your safety was compromised by a sudden deluge. You can, with some preparation, protect yourself: avoid certain areas, seal your valuables, dress to get wet and all that, but still...
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| Water toys for sale in Pattaya |
High-powered water cannons and guns are against the law, but history's proven most any type of prohibition is difficult to enforce, and in a land where the baht talks louder than the law it would seem there's only the slimmest of chances of controlling it.
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| A graceful face full |
So, today I again observed from a safe distance. These are images I've found on the internet and am passing along to you today as a sort of Songkran round-up.
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| Elephants helping bathe the humans for a change |
If you happen to see an image of yours here that you'd like removed for some reason, please let me know via email and I'll edit the post. Have a good weekend, everyone.
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| The Bucket Brigade targets a passing truck |
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| At least this guy was wearing a helmet |
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| A strong blast can knock a cyclist off course, or off a cycle |
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| Probably refreshing... up to a point |
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| Looks like a fair fight to me... |
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| These two were caught unarmed |
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| What a holiday for the handlers! |
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| This almost looked more like a Songkran Flash Mob |
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| Sometimes it's truly a madhouse. I wouldn't enjoy this at all. |
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| Empty buckets of paste/powder piled up at the end of it all. "Finit" for the year. |
5 comments:
Hi BaoBao, Nice post as always. I experienced Songkran once and hated/loved it. I guess when you are dressed for it and have some free time its great. My first experience was unannounced to me and quite startling in its fierceness.
I noticed these pictures were included in the PattayaMail photo spread. Do you photograph for them or are their pictures public domain? Just asking because I would love to use some. Thanks.
Donald
Thanks, Donald No, as I mentioned above "These are images I've found on the internet and am passing along to you today as a sort of Songkran round-up".
All of the images on the blog are photos I've taken myself, unless I note otherwise, and to date that's over 1,600 pictures. I watermark mine, or images I've adjusted, so that's an easy way to tell.
I'd be the first to admit they're not all gems - sometimes they're just included because I like them - but I hope you're enjoying them.
Thank You Bao-Bao, I was more interested for myself if I can use pictures such as on Pattayamail in my posts and blog. I have loved your pics for quite a while now, you see through an eye we all wish we had. Thanks for your hard work, buddy,know that people far far away love it and appreciate it.
Donald
OK, I suppose I could address the question without my mind wandering, if I concentrated ;-)
If your usage would be on something like the site here (meaning not for any monetary gain) I've been advised you might get a "take it down" notice either directly or through Google, but that's all that's likely to occur.
I've had a number of requests to re-use my images via email. After seeing where or how they intend to use them I make a decision.
Thank you again for the kind words, though. I appreciate it!
PS - I honestly don't remember how many of the 17 images were from the PM... maybe 3 or 4? Most were from other sources.
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