We're already getting news about this year's Songkran festival. As usual, water splashing will likely start just a little bit around April 12 or 13 and escalate daily until the "big day", April 19.
Wait a minute! GB, are you saying water splashing is going to return to Songkran this year? YES I AM - and that will be nationwide! Be advised, folks. Unless something changes, the water splashing will be back this year. Those of you who hate it would be well advised to make note of that and start planning your escape from Pattaya during this year's Songkran week.
Whether it will be relatively tame or will be wild is anybody's guess. My own prediction: After several year of no water splashing at all, it will be wild.
For those who hate getting splashed, you do have one plus. You don't have to go out at mealtime. Food delivery services are well established now and they will be in full operation during Songkran. In Pattaya you have Foodpanda, Grab, Hotmeals2U, and Lineman. Several restaurants have their own delivery service. Even breakfast is available at many of the restaurants using these delivery services. But since the delivery boys will have to brave heavy traffic and probably getting splashed too even though they are on motorbikes, you might consider giving them much larger tips during that time.
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It’s Official, Pattaya’s Songkran Day on April 19th, The Biggest and Wettest Party of the Year, Returns
By Adam Judd
27 February, 2023
Pattaya’s biggest and wettest party officially returns for the first time in four years due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Songkran, which in one form or another will likely last a bit over a week in Pattaya, will culminate as it usually did, before Covid, with Wan Lai, or the “Big Day” on April 19th, 2023. This is, without a doubt, Pattaya’s biggest and wettest party but also polarizing especially to many expats as hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists convene on Pattaya.
Songkran, the Thai New Year, also known as the water festival, has not been held in full since 2019 due to pandemic restrictions other than traditional and religious activities. While a huge relief to many of our readers who dislike the water and crowds the tourism industry has overall yearned for the return of the festival.
This year, that wish is granted as Central Pattaya is one of the first to announce a major Songkran Day party promising major musical artists and events. Of course, Rolling Loud, the world’s biggest hip hop and rap festival, will also be in town from April 13th-15th, the official holiday dates in Thailand. This will see major artists like Cardi B, Travis Scott, Chris Brown, and dozens more in the Pattaya area.
Pattaya celebrates Songkran later than the rest of the country, mainly to boost tourism. Due to the long pause, tourism analysts predict possibly the biggest Songkran ever in terms of crowds. This will, of course, cause many expats to flee Pattaya in what is often called by local residents as Silly Season.
See you in April for those coming and for those who aren’t fans, it may be time to look for a quick holiday out of the area.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/02/27/i ... r-returns/
Songkran 2023
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Gaybutton
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
Pattaya Mayor Says Songkran Is Fully On in Pattaya This Year, April 19th Expected Bigger Than Ever
By Adam Judd
16 March, 2023
It was already expected after several planning meetings recently but today the Pattaya Mayor’s social media accounts confirmed the news that will please many bars and tourism businesses, as well as eager hordes of tourists, but likely frustrate some expat readers who despise the event.
After three years of Covid restrictions, and four years in total since the last non traditional only Songkran in 2019, the Thai New Year and the famous water fights return.
This means those wanting to avoid the water have a warning well in advance and those planning trips and holidays for Songkran have the reassurance that unlike prior years the famous, but polarizing, water fights will be allowed.
The event also coincides with Pattaya’s biggest ever concert, Rolling Loud, at Legend Siam. This will see world famous hip hop and rap artists like Cardi B, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Lil Pump, Chris Brown, and dozens of others surge into Pattaya.
Additionally, malls in the area are also planning major concerts and Songkran events and nearly every bar in the city will have special events and parties to mark the New Year.
April 18th will see Songkran in Naklua officially and April 19th will be the granddaddy of them all in Pattaya but when in reality the entire region celebrates with hundreds of thousands of people on the streets throwing water.
Get ready…Hate it or Love it, the water festival is back. Some areas of the city are likely to see water fights begin around April 12th or 13th.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/03/16/p ... than-ever/
By Adam Judd
16 March, 2023
It was already expected after several planning meetings recently but today the Pattaya Mayor’s social media accounts confirmed the news that will please many bars and tourism businesses, as well as eager hordes of tourists, but likely frustrate some expat readers who despise the event.
After three years of Covid restrictions, and four years in total since the last non traditional only Songkran in 2019, the Thai New Year and the famous water fights return.
This means those wanting to avoid the water have a warning well in advance and those planning trips and holidays for Songkran have the reassurance that unlike prior years the famous, but polarizing, water fights will be allowed.
The event also coincides with Pattaya’s biggest ever concert, Rolling Loud, at Legend Siam. This will see world famous hip hop and rap artists like Cardi B, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Lil Pump, Chris Brown, and dozens of others surge into Pattaya.
Additionally, malls in the area are also planning major concerts and Songkran events and nearly every bar in the city will have special events and parties to mark the New Year.
April 18th will see Songkran in Naklua officially and April 19th will be the granddaddy of them all in Pattaya but when in reality the entire region celebrates with hundreds of thousands of people on the streets throwing water.
Get ready…Hate it or Love it, the water festival is back. Some areas of the city are likely to see water fights begin around April 12th or 13th.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/03/16/p ... than-ever/
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
Songkran arrivals to jump
by Mongkol Bangprapa
March 26, 2023
The government expects an increasing number of international flight arrivals during the Songkran period as Bangkok, among other big cities, has been listed as one of Airbnb's top destinations for 2023, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
The list, compiled from the agency's data based on reservation numbers from their website, placed Bangkok in fifth spot on its list of top trending global travel spots in 2023's first quarter.
The list also showed the capital had welcomed large visitors from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, including South Korea, Australia, and China.
He said the government was glad to learn that Bangkok was also the most-booked Airbnb destination in Thailand during this period. The list was followed by Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Koh Samui.
He said the Tourism and Sports Ministry also recorded an increasing number of tourists. The information showed the kingdom welcomed 2,144,948 foreigners in January.
This figure is significantly higher than the 133,828 foreign visitors who visited Thailand in January last year.
The Airbnb survey also showed the number of Thailand's inbound tourists will likely increase during Songkran, which falls on April 13-15.
The results showed guest searches for the festive period on Airbnb have increased more than 310% year-on-year, with Bangkok being the most-searched destination amongst international guests.
Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket are also on the list.
Based on the information, Australia ranks as the top country for international arrivals during the Songkran period, followed by those from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and China.
According to the data, 20% of Chinese visitors look for Thailand stays during their spring break, which takes place in April and May.
Following the publication of the information, Mr Anucha said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was extremely pleased with the outcome.
The results show the visitors have been attracted by Thailand's beautiful natural resources as well as its cultural elements and tourism services, Mr Anucha said.
He added this list showed the result of the tourism industry's recovery, which was made possible through the cooperation of various sectors.
The government also expects the Songkran period will attract more international tourists and thus help boost the local economy.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ls-to-jump
by Mongkol Bangprapa
March 26, 2023
The government expects an increasing number of international flight arrivals during the Songkran period as Bangkok, among other big cities, has been listed as one of Airbnb's top destinations for 2023, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
The list, compiled from the agency's data based on reservation numbers from their website, placed Bangkok in fifth spot on its list of top trending global travel spots in 2023's first quarter.
The list also showed the capital had welcomed large visitors from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, including South Korea, Australia, and China.
He said the government was glad to learn that Bangkok was also the most-booked Airbnb destination in Thailand during this period. The list was followed by Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Koh Samui.
He said the Tourism and Sports Ministry also recorded an increasing number of tourists. The information showed the kingdom welcomed 2,144,948 foreigners in January.
This figure is significantly higher than the 133,828 foreign visitors who visited Thailand in January last year.
The Airbnb survey also showed the number of Thailand's inbound tourists will likely increase during Songkran, which falls on April 13-15.
The results showed guest searches for the festive period on Airbnb have increased more than 310% year-on-year, with Bangkok being the most-searched destination amongst international guests.
Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket are also on the list.
Based on the information, Australia ranks as the top country for international arrivals during the Songkran period, followed by those from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and China.
According to the data, 20% of Chinese visitors look for Thailand stays during their spring break, which takes place in April and May.
Following the publication of the information, Mr Anucha said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was extremely pleased with the outcome.
The results show the visitors have been attracted by Thailand's beautiful natural resources as well as its cultural elements and tourism services, Mr Anucha said.
He added this list showed the result of the tourism industry's recovery, which was made possible through the cooperation of various sectors.
The government also expects the Songkran period will attract more international tourists and thus help boost the local economy.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ls-to-jump
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KeithAmbrose
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
How about posting a link to that discussion.
I don't understand why some of you seem to think you can't mention the name of other forums or post links to topics on those forums. I have NEVER had any objections to that and many times I have posted so.
Sawatdee forum, Gayguides forum. No problem at all.
Meanwhile, yes Airbnb is illegal in Thailand and has been illegal since 2019. As a matter of fact, anywhere that is not registered as a hotel is illegal if the rental is for less than one month. Just how many owners are complying with that law and how much enforcement takes place - that's another question.
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Jun
Re: Songkran 2023
I doubt there's a law which says Airbnb is illegal, but if I misunderstand please correct me. Isn't the restriction on booking apartments in residential blocks for less than a month ?Gaybutton wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:47 pmMeanwhile, yes Airbnb is illegal in Thailand and has been illegal since 2019. As a matter of fact, anywhere that is not registered as a hotel is illegal if the rental is for less than one month. Just how many owners are complying with that law and how much enforcement takes place - that's another question.
Wouldn't it be perfectly legal to book an apartment via Airbnb for more than a month ? Or a hotel room via Airbnb for a shorter period?
The main reason that I have never used Airbnb is their policy of showing a deliberately inaccurate location on their maps.
So the property might be half a mile away from where it's claimed to be.
That might make it more difficult to bypass Airbnb, but it also has made Airbnb too difficult for me to bother with.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
That's right. If you are booking a room for a month or more it is perfectly legal to use Airbnb just like any other booking agency. Most people who use Airbnb are looking to book for a week or so, not a month or more.
Again, to me the question is whether the restriction is another one of these things that are not enforced. If anyone has found himself in legal trouble in Thailand for booking a room for a few days via Airbnb, I haven't heard about it. I don't know, so caveat emptor.
I'll give you another one: You are a farang condo owner in Thailand. You can make your condo available to people who want to rent a room - whether for a few days, a few months, or whatever. By Thai law, are you now working without a permit? (For some strange reason, I am thinking about the time Monty nearly got deported because he was seen emptying ashtrays at his venue - working without a permit. Anybody besides me remember that one?)
UPDATE: See viewtopic.php?p=110059#p110059
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
Pattaya Residents Concerned About Traffic During Songkran, Second Road Construction
By Adam Judd
2 April, 2023
The Thai New Year, Songkran, also known as the water festival, is less than two weeks away but many Pattaya residents and ex-pats have raised concern about the level of domestic and foreign tourists and long-standing traffic issues.
Although there are various road construction projects taking place across Pattaya, one of the biggest concerns is Second Road and Threpprasit Road. Beach Road is also in the middle of a construction project but it primarily affects walkways and not the road.
A social media group dedicated to calling out problems and issues, Pattaya Watchdog, has regularly been raising concerns about Second Road in particular, especially near the Walking Street and Avenue Mall area, saying the construction, which has gone on for many months, has become a major choke point and traffic problem.
All the way back in September of 2022 residents were complaining about Second Road construction and it had already been going on for months prior to that for various drainage improvement projects.
At that time and during the Christmas holidays city officials had continually stated the Second Road work in particular should be done by the Thai New Year, especially when during high season in Christmas the roadwork in this area regularly ground traffic to a halt.
However, Pattaya City officials have said there have been issues with contractors and as a result the roadwork projects have dragged on to where, although there has been improvement in many areas, large parts of Second Road around the Avenue are still reduced to one lane.
Many netizens on social media commenting on the seemingly never ending work have suggested 24-hour a day work for the next week or so to at the very least get the road to a passable condition to open up all lanes for Songkran. Some have suggested filling in the current work and just having a dirt road extension to drive on for Songkran and resuming work afterwards.
Regardless, Songkran is 11 days away and nearly everyone agrees…hundreds of thousands of domestic and Thai tourists are set to visit the city during the festival, especially on Wan Lai, April 19th, and something must be done.
The Pattaya News notes that this weekend, the first weekend of April, saw traffic ground to a halt across the city, and Songkran is still roughly two weeks away.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/02/p ... struction/
By Adam Judd
2 April, 2023
The Thai New Year, Songkran, also known as the water festival, is less than two weeks away but many Pattaya residents and ex-pats have raised concern about the level of domestic and foreign tourists and long-standing traffic issues.
Although there are various road construction projects taking place across Pattaya, one of the biggest concerns is Second Road and Threpprasit Road. Beach Road is also in the middle of a construction project but it primarily affects walkways and not the road.
A social media group dedicated to calling out problems and issues, Pattaya Watchdog, has regularly been raising concerns about Second Road in particular, especially near the Walking Street and Avenue Mall area, saying the construction, which has gone on for many months, has become a major choke point and traffic problem.
All the way back in September of 2022 residents were complaining about Second Road construction and it had already been going on for months prior to that for various drainage improvement projects.
At that time and during the Christmas holidays city officials had continually stated the Second Road work in particular should be done by the Thai New Year, especially when during high season in Christmas the roadwork in this area regularly ground traffic to a halt.
However, Pattaya City officials have said there have been issues with contractors and as a result the roadwork projects have dragged on to where, although there has been improvement in many areas, large parts of Second Road around the Avenue are still reduced to one lane.
Many netizens on social media commenting on the seemingly never ending work have suggested 24-hour a day work for the next week or so to at the very least get the road to a passable condition to open up all lanes for Songkran. Some have suggested filling in the current work and just having a dirt road extension to drive on for Songkran and resuming work afterwards.
Regardless, Songkran is 11 days away and nearly everyone agrees…hundreds of thousands of domestic and Thai tourists are set to visit the city during the festival, especially on Wan Lai, April 19th, and something must be done.
The Pattaya News notes that this weekend, the first weekend of April, saw traffic ground to a halt across the city, and Songkran is still roughly two weeks away.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/02/p ... struction/
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
Here are some of the Songkran goings-on for Bangkok and Pattaya. I'm posting link rather than the articles because they contain a lot of photos and graphics.
Bangkok: https://tpnnational.com/2023/04/05/a-sh ... 23-events/
Pattaya: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/05/a ... -not-miss/
Bangkok: https://tpnnational.com/2023/04/05/a-sh ... 23-events/
Pattaya: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/05/a ... -not-miss/
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Gaybutton
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Re: Songkran 2023
Folks, please . . . don't drink and drive during Songkran, which in effect begins now. The police will be checking and the penalties are harsh. Use public transportation and taxi services. And make sure your driver is sober . . .
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Pattaya Police Ready to Protect Tourists During Songkran and Wan Lai
By Tanakorn Panyadee
11 April, 2023
Pattaya Police are currently mobilizing all units to ensure the safety of lives and property of the public and tourists during the Songkran Festival and Wan Lai aka the Big Day on April 19th.
The officers will set up checkpoints throughout the Pattaya area during the daytime, evening, and night to prevent accidents, according to the deputy superintendent of the Pattaya Police Station Pol. Lt. Col. Surachet Aneksri.
Additionally, alcohol tests will be conducted on drivers, as part of the policy of the national police chief, where drivers must have a zero alcohol level during Songkran.
In the community areas, there will be community checkpoints set up by community leaders and residents to prevent drunk driving by young people or community members, Lt. Col. Surachet stated.
As for the prohibitions during Songkran and Wan Lai, Lt. Col. Surachet stated that using powder or high-pressure water guns and dressing scantily are strictly prohibited. He also said during Wan Lai, Beach Road will remain open to traffic to Central Klang and will be closed from Central Klang to Walking Street from 2 PM to 8:30 PM, to allow water fights and concerts.
400 law enforcement officers will be on duty around the city to facilitate and protect tourists on April 19th.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/11/p ... d-wan-lai/
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Pattaya Police Ready to Protect Tourists During Songkran and Wan Lai
By Tanakorn Panyadee
11 April, 2023
Pattaya Police are currently mobilizing all units to ensure the safety of lives and property of the public and tourists during the Songkran Festival and Wan Lai aka the Big Day on April 19th.
The officers will set up checkpoints throughout the Pattaya area during the daytime, evening, and night to prevent accidents, according to the deputy superintendent of the Pattaya Police Station Pol. Lt. Col. Surachet Aneksri.
Additionally, alcohol tests will be conducted on drivers, as part of the policy of the national police chief, where drivers must have a zero alcohol level during Songkran.
In the community areas, there will be community checkpoints set up by community leaders and residents to prevent drunk driving by young people or community members, Lt. Col. Surachet stated.
As for the prohibitions during Songkran and Wan Lai, Lt. Col. Surachet stated that using powder or high-pressure water guns and dressing scantily are strictly prohibited. He also said during Wan Lai, Beach Road will remain open to traffic to Central Klang and will be closed from Central Klang to Walking Street from 2 PM to 8:30 PM, to allow water fights and concerts.
400 law enforcement officers will be on duty around the city to facilitate and protect tourists on April 19th.
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/11/p ... d-wan-lai/