Songkran Pattaya - Thai New Year

       The most frenetic festival in Thailand is Songkran, the Thai New Year and what would appear to be a national water fight. Traditionally it was celebrated by Buddha images being bathed with water and the showing of respect to monks and elders. From the sprinkling of water onto someone's hands it has evolved into mass drenching for anyone who decides to venture outdoors.  In Pattaya especially, the festivities are likely to continue for longer than the national holidays and can stretch out for almost a week.


       Due to the fact that many of the bar girls who work in Pattaya, come from all different areas of Thailand, The Songkran festival here can last up to a week, or even longer! This is because every bar starts its celebrations on the "regional date" that Songkran falls. So if the majority of the bar girls  come from the northern Chang Mai region,  then that bar may start partying on the 16th or 17th.  In Phuket, (again it`s different), as The Songrkan runs from  April 13 to the 15th. It`s a possibility that due to all these contrasting dates - this is maybe why, everyone agrees to celebrate Songkran together - in Pattaya - on April 19!