Happy Songkran!

April is usually the driest month in Thailand, a month when the temperatures regularly creep over 100F/38C and the days are better spent indoors or in the shade, well protected from the mid-day heat.

Except during Songkran, the Thai New Year.

The original tradition of an annual cleansing of Buddha images (at temples and at home) and pouring a small amount of water over the hands or shoulders of respected elders in one's extended families has grown into a joyful festival of water play by children of all ages. It's something I personally haven't witnessed but may well get to some year; a time of laughter and sharing.

The problem is that the "joyful festival" has also mutated into a boisterous hydro-brawl wherever that good ol' Western culture has weaseled its way in, and the drunken mobs who have turned a gentle blessing into aggravated assault have soured me on the whole idea in places like Pattaya.

Friends who have family in the "real Thailand" still observe the holiday in a way I hope to see one of these times. For now I'm content to enjoy the simple blessings of rain, like this Bangkok downpour pictured above. I get plenty wet enough, and at least have a choice in the matter.

For those of you there braving the buckets of iced klong water... good luck!