Only saw a couple of farang squirting passers-by on my way over to Tukom around 4:30. And a little bit of action behind Tukom with the massage boys dancing and throwing a bit of water.
I did not see any action tonight - neither on my way to Sunee nor in Sunee itself.
What's going on??
GB's Annual Songkran Report
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Gaybutton
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
Thursday, April 14
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Pattaya: As of 2:20pm today I have only remained on "The Dark Side," where I still have seen no splashing activity at all. For the rest of Pattaya, I am relying on reports I'm getting from reliable sources, but have not been in those areas to personally confirm.
From what I'm being told, water splashing activity has escalated today, mostly in the areas where you're likely to find the drunken, heavily tattooed farang and the Middle Eastern guys who think the reason to be in Pattaya at the moment is to soak anybody who finds himself within their striking distance. That's primarily Second Road around the Central Festival area, the Beach Road bar area, a few spots along Third Road, approaches to Sunee Plaza, and the area around Jomtien Complex.
It is my understanding the police will arrest and heavily fine anyone caught bringing alcohol to splashing areas. Of course, since most of those areas, at least in Pattaya, are in the vicinity of bars, the alcohol is already there anyway. Your guess is a good as mine as to whether there has been any police presence in the first place.
As I said, so far I've been to none of those areas myself. If anyone has anything to report, please let us know.
Let us know what those of you in Pattaya and anywhere else in Thailand are observing and experiencing.
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Pattaya: As of 2:20pm today I have only remained on "The Dark Side," where I still have seen no splashing activity at all. For the rest of Pattaya, I am relying on reports I'm getting from reliable sources, but have not been in those areas to personally confirm.
From what I'm being told, water splashing activity has escalated today, mostly in the areas where you're likely to find the drunken, heavily tattooed farang and the Middle Eastern guys who think the reason to be in Pattaya at the moment is to soak anybody who finds himself within their striking distance. That's primarily Second Road around the Central Festival area, the Beach Road bar area, a few spots along Third Road, approaches to Sunee Plaza, and the area around Jomtien Complex.
It is my understanding the police will arrest and heavily fine anyone caught bringing alcohol to splashing areas. Of course, since most of those areas, at least in Pattaya, are in the vicinity of bars, the alcohol is already there anyway. Your guess is a good as mine as to whether there has been any police presence in the first place.
As I said, so far I've been to none of those areas myself. If anyone has anything to report, please let us know.
Let us know what those of you in Pattaya and anywhere else in Thailand are observing and experiencing.
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Gaybutton
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
Friday, April 15
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Water splashing has definitely escalated now. People all over town are starting the splashing. Even on "The Dark Side" people are out there tossing water. I use that to my advantage. They toss water on my car when I am driving by. Good. It cleans my windshield . . .
The problem about going to the bars is as LKAsians described. No water splashing in Sunee Plaza that I've heard about, and plenty around the Jomtien Complex area, although I haven't heard about any within Jomtien Complex. Water splashing has never been permitted in Boyztown. That's not the problem. The problem is getting to and from the gay venues without getting soaked.
So, in Pattaya if you're out anywhere between now and the end of the day on the 19th, be prepared to get splashed. Make sure your valuables and anything that can be water damaged are protected.
If you want to be assured of staying dry, do your 'out and abouting' either very early or very late.
Regarding the bar scene, you might find the numbers of boys way down this week. Many go home for Songkran. Most will be back within a few days of the end of the holiday. Again, if you want the company of a willing young gentleman, but don't want to be splashed, there are always plenty of boys available on Planet Romeo and the other hook-up sites. As an alternative to trying to stay dry, an exercise in futility this week, trying to go to the bars, instead of you going, have the boys come to you.
If you're driving, traffic is starting to get heavy too. Last night RichLB and I went out to eat at a Jomtien Beach restaurant. Normally, around 9:00 pm I can be home from there within 15-20 minutes. Last night it took nearly an hour due to very heavy traffic.
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Water splashing has definitely escalated now. People all over town are starting the splashing. Even on "The Dark Side" people are out there tossing water. I use that to my advantage. They toss water on my car when I am driving by. Good. It cleans my windshield . . .
The problem about going to the bars is as LKAsians described. No water splashing in Sunee Plaza that I've heard about, and plenty around the Jomtien Complex area, although I haven't heard about any within Jomtien Complex. Water splashing has never been permitted in Boyztown. That's not the problem. The problem is getting to and from the gay venues without getting soaked.
So, in Pattaya if you're out anywhere between now and the end of the day on the 19th, be prepared to get splashed. Make sure your valuables and anything that can be water damaged are protected.
If you want to be assured of staying dry, do your 'out and abouting' either very early or very late.
Regarding the bar scene, you might find the numbers of boys way down this week. Many go home for Songkran. Most will be back within a few days of the end of the holiday. Again, if you want the company of a willing young gentleman, but don't want to be splashed, there are always plenty of boys available on Planet Romeo and the other hook-up sites. As an alternative to trying to stay dry, an exercise in futility this week, trying to go to the bars, instead of you going, have the boys come to you.
If you're driving, traffic is starting to get heavy too. Last night RichLB and I went out to eat at a Jomtien Beach restaurant. Normally, around 9:00 pm I can be home from there within 15-20 minutes. Last night it took nearly an hour due to very heavy traffic.
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Trongpai
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
A few BKK observations: Songkran this year was quite manageable. As long as you stayed away from Silom, KSR, and any bar/tourist area there was little water throwing.In fact away from the tourist spots it was downright deserted with very little traffic. That will not last long as everyone that went upcountry to visit family will be on the way back this weekend. Many restaurants and shops closed for the holiday until Monday.
I went to the Babylon Songkran party tonight. Entry 490B! I knew to get there early and arrived at 1500 and it was already near capacity. By 1700 there was a line waiting to get in. I was told it was the same the last two days as well. As I was walking down the soi to Babylon I noticed a lot of husky Asians going to and from Babylon. Once inside I've never seen so many fat Asian boys. It seems there was some 'chubby' event in Bangkok this week. Many had some blue tube thing that said," Bangkok Chub Bears". There must have been around 200 hundred of them and some were really huge.
Babylon holds around 800 persons and they were full most of the day and night but few farangs. I would guess less that 10 farangs. Thai also were absent, I was told by one of the staff I know that he estimates there's only around 10-15 Thai boys in house tonight. I heard a lot of Malay and Chinese and other Asian languages that I can't identify but no Thai. I think they were mostly from Singapore. Around 1800 the chubs started disappearing (a meeting, feeding--I don't know) and more fit/thin visiting Asians came in the sauna. The chubs and the fits were there to party. Gee-sh, does everyone from the surrounding Asians countries smoke cigarettes? You know, one thing I also noticed is there were few tattoos on these Asians and some of the chubs had the surface area for for a tattoo of the Titanic.
There was a live band but they seemed to take more breaks than play. Perhaps they were side tracked in the dark room? Next two night are Jazz nights and I expect the same composition of the attendees and near capacity numbers. They are not filling up the gay bars other then for the shows and seldom 'off' boys but do frequent the massage venues for full service.
Now that's over for Bangkok I expect to see this weekend many Pattaya expats filling up the gay venues of Bangkok escaping Pattaya madness. Welcome Pattaya residents.
I went to the Babylon Songkran party tonight. Entry 490B! I knew to get there early and arrived at 1500 and it was already near capacity. By 1700 there was a line waiting to get in. I was told it was the same the last two days as well. As I was walking down the soi to Babylon I noticed a lot of husky Asians going to and from Babylon. Once inside I've never seen so many fat Asian boys. It seems there was some 'chubby' event in Bangkok this week. Many had some blue tube thing that said," Bangkok Chub Bears". There must have been around 200 hundred of them and some were really huge.
Babylon holds around 800 persons and they were full most of the day and night but few farangs. I would guess less that 10 farangs. Thai also were absent, I was told by one of the staff I know that he estimates there's only around 10-15 Thai boys in house tonight. I heard a lot of Malay and Chinese and other Asian languages that I can't identify but no Thai. I think they were mostly from Singapore. Around 1800 the chubs started disappearing (a meeting, feeding--I don't know) and more fit/thin visiting Asians came in the sauna. The chubs and the fits were there to party. Gee-sh, does everyone from the surrounding Asians countries smoke cigarettes? You know, one thing I also noticed is there were few tattoos on these Asians and some of the chubs had the surface area for for a tattoo of the Titanic.
There was a live band but they seemed to take more breaks than play. Perhaps they were side tracked in the dark room? Next two night are Jazz nights and I expect the same composition of the attendees and near capacity numbers. They are not filling up the gay bars other then for the shows and seldom 'off' boys but do frequent the massage venues for full service.
Now that's over for Bangkok I expect to see this weekend many Pattaya expats filling up the gay venues of Bangkok escaping Pattaya madness. Welcome Pattaya residents.
Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
Well that's 14 less than the daily average! According to Wikipedia there were 24,237 deaths for 2013...an average therefore of 66 per day.Police are stepping up road safety measures after at least 52 people were killed and 431 others were injured in traffic accidents across the country on Monday, the first day of the government's campaign to prevent road casualties during the Songkran festival.
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Gaybutton
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
Saturday, April 16
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From what I've seen so far today, the splashing is a bit more widespread, but other than that just the same as yesterday. Traffic isn't all that bad just yet, at least where I've been. It's heavy at times, and there are a few delays here and there, but nothing massive yet. I hope it stays that way.
The following article obviously was not written by a proficient native English speaker, but I think you'll get it:
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Joyful Splashing Of Pattaya Songkran
Songkran Fest in Pattaya is very joyful on the 3rd day.
PATTAYA – April 15,2016 [PattayaDailyNews]; On 3rd day of Songkran Fest, Pattaya is still joyful. The local streets have been crowded by Thais and foreigner who come out and splash water each other.
The official has campaigned Songkran in more manner and tradition. The foreigners are in summer wear due to the hot weather. Plus, some used high pressure squirt gun.
Rattanachai Sutthidechanai- director of Pattaya tourism and tradition association- said that Pattaya official also campaigns Pattaya Songkran in frugal manner and maintaining Thai tradition according to Junta’s policy.
During a few days, some expats however are topless; therefore, the officers would have to cope this matter.
Story and photos: http://pattayadailynews.com/joyful-spla ... -songkran/
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From what I've seen so far today, the splashing is a bit more widespread, but other than that just the same as yesterday. Traffic isn't all that bad just yet, at least where I've been. It's heavy at times, and there are a few delays here and there, but nothing massive yet. I hope it stays that way.
The following article obviously was not written by a proficient native English speaker, but I think you'll get it:
_____________________________________________
Joyful Splashing Of Pattaya Songkran
Songkran Fest in Pattaya is very joyful on the 3rd day.
PATTAYA – April 15,2016 [PattayaDailyNews]; On 3rd day of Songkran Fest, Pattaya is still joyful. The local streets have been crowded by Thais and foreigner who come out and splash water each other.
The official has campaigned Songkran in more manner and tradition. The foreigners are in summer wear due to the hot weather. Plus, some used high pressure squirt gun.
Rattanachai Sutthidechanai- director of Pattaya tourism and tradition association- said that Pattaya official also campaigns Pattaya Songkran in frugal manner and maintaining Thai tradition according to Junta’s policy.
During a few days, some expats however are topless; therefore, the officers would have to cope this matter.
Story and photos: http://pattayadailynews.com/joyful-spla ... -songkran/
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Gaybutton
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
Sunday, April 17
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Today has been a surprise for me. I haven't seen any water splashing at all, anywhere. I wasn't around any of the places where most of the splashing has been going on, so I can't speak to that, but elsewhere there was nothing. This time last year, and most previous years, by now there would be loads of people splashing and pickup trucks filled with people and water barrels would be all over the place. This year, so far, I haven't seen any pickup trucks with splashers at all. Those of you who left Pattaya to escape the water splashing - what can I say? There really hasn't been much to escape from. Maybe the locals are taking the government's plea for a subdued Songkran to heart.
The second surprise, and a pleasant one at that, is traffic today was not only very light, but unusually light. It's rare to see traffic this light on the best of days. I wasn't expecting it to be like this, but I'm certainly not complaining. I had no delays of any kind everywhere I was today. Even traffic on Sukhumvit near the tunnel construction was flowing smoothly and cars did not even have to slow down. Other than in the dead of night, I've never seen it like that.
Maybe my prediction of massive traffic jams was wrong (I hope). Either that or today is the calm before the storm. We'll see.
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Today has been a surprise for me. I haven't seen any water splashing at all, anywhere. I wasn't around any of the places where most of the splashing has been going on, so I can't speak to that, but elsewhere there was nothing. This time last year, and most previous years, by now there would be loads of people splashing and pickup trucks filled with people and water barrels would be all over the place. This year, so far, I haven't seen any pickup trucks with splashers at all. Those of you who left Pattaya to escape the water splashing - what can I say? There really hasn't been much to escape from. Maybe the locals are taking the government's plea for a subdued Songkran to heart.
The second surprise, and a pleasant one at that, is traffic today was not only very light, but unusually light. It's rare to see traffic this light on the best of days. I wasn't expecting it to be like this, but I'm certainly not complaining. I had no delays of any kind everywhere I was today. Even traffic on Sukhumvit near the tunnel construction was flowing smoothly and cars did not even have to slow down. Other than in the dead of night, I've never seen it like that.
Maybe my prediction of massive traffic jams was wrong (I hope). Either that or today is the calm before the storm. We'll see.
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Gaybutton
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
I'll be out there on the 19th, but haven't decided just where yet.LKAsians wrote:Gaybutton...what are you doing on 18-19?????
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RichLB
Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
It was weird tonight. Usually on a hot summer Sunday night the beach on Soi 15 (opposite Cafe Le Mar) is packed with Thais enjoying the breeze from the sea. Tonight the beach and the street were deserted. No splashing, no merry making, no people.
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Gaybutton
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Re: GB's Annual Songkran Report
Monday, April 18
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Another strange day. Again, I haven't been in the city, but everywhere else I've been the traffic is just like yesterday - unusually light. And no water splashing either - not anywhere I've been. No pickup trucks with revelers and water barrels. No cars with evidence of splashing or powder all over them. No motorbikes going by with the drivers soaked. Nothing.
I've never seen it like this the day before the Pattaya Songkran "Big Day." I can only wonder if there is even going to be much of a "Big Day." I'm guessing there will be. I have a feeling people have been asked to refrain from water splashing all week due to the drought. But since Pattaya has no water shortages and none of the English language media has said anything about refraining, I have no idea why this year is so far so subdued.
We'll see what happens tomorrow. No matter what happens tomorrow, by tomorrow night it's all over until next year.
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Another strange day. Again, I haven't been in the city, but everywhere else I've been the traffic is just like yesterday - unusually light. And no water splashing either - not anywhere I've been. No pickup trucks with revelers and water barrels. No cars with evidence of splashing or powder all over them. No motorbikes going by with the drivers soaked. Nothing.
I've never seen it like this the day before the Pattaya Songkran "Big Day." I can only wonder if there is even going to be much of a "Big Day." I'm guessing there will be. I have a feeling people have been asked to refrain from water splashing all week due to the drought. But since Pattaya has no water shortages and none of the English language media has said anything about refraining, I have no idea why this year is so far so subdued.
We'll see what happens tomorrow. No matter what happens tomorrow, by tomorrow night it's all over until next year.