I ended up with so many fun photos from this year’s Songkran that I thought I would publish a second post, which is mostly based around day two of the water fights on the main street of Si Bun Ruang. In my photography I try to capture the atmosphere of each occasion with special emphasis on faces and action, rather than just have lots of the same sort of scenes of people throwing water around. I hope that makes the inclusion of so many photos on basically the same topic interesting enough to keep you engaged.
This year was such a good time and the first time we have got involved with the action on the main street. Our thanks to Doug and Pu for allowing us to base ourselves at their shop, which you can find HERE, to battle the locals.

Girls put talcum powder on the face of good looking boys and boys to girls. Sometimes it can get a bit extreme like here with Gaun. Water mixed in there too.

The girls weren’t left out. Funnily this wasn’t a thing to be avoided. Bikes with girls on would stop to have the power applied and usually some water as well.

The only time guys could play-up like this with passing girls and they took full advantage. Mind you the guys on bikes were getting equally special attention from the ladies as well.

Talcum powder is called “Peng” in Thai, which is my stepdaughter’s nickname! Gaun’s name comes from the flower of the bulletwood tree – very appropriate.

You are more likely to get a shot of a group of Thais ALL happy than a group of farang. Out for a good time and finding it I think. In Australia this would be illegal on so many grounds!

Peng had a wonderful time. Her inability to stand for long periods before her operation means this is the first time in her life she been able to be fully involved in the water fights. Her enjoyment shows doesn’t it.

People in passing pickups would often ask for a water top-up so that they could fightback further up the street.

This guy ran over from that passing pickup to give me a hug. I have that effect on people although I would prefer a girl-hug but at my age you take what’s on offer 🙂

This lady was from the shop next door. Dancing, drinking and playing with water on a hot day. Can life get any better?

Pick-up central. Si Bun Ruang main street. Beautiful it ain’t but lively at Songkran it certainly is!

Now this is the real reason I bought the pick-up. It means you can get on the same level for pick-up to pick-up water fights 🙂
I haven’t done the main street Songkran before but will be from now on. It was all done with a lot of friendliness with all ages involved. Definitely one for the diary.
15 Apr 2018 – Respect for Elders
It’s not just the Buddhas that get a ceremonial wash down at Songkran – Thai New Year. The elders get a clean up too! Today was Gaun’s mama’s turn and the family gathered to receive her blessing and pour water over her hands as a sign of respect. Lovely.

I have never seen the three elder sisters together to take a photo. There are seven children, five daughters, two sons and no ladyboys. Gaun is the second youngest. Here Noy, the eldest on the left, Yurt the second eldest and then Paed fourth in line.
Only semi-legal at Songkran with small donations made to the local police orphans and widows fund! Many play for ten or twenty baht like Yuan and Lud but others put down more serious money. If Yuan runs out of money she just borrows from Jun with no repayment expected. She keeps the winnings 🙂 If Jun is making money, which he always seems to, he buys beer and food. Even I get beer and I never play! I have received half a dozen bottle the last two days.
16 Apr 2018 – Another Buddha Ceremony
I wanted to visit my favourite local temple Wat Pha Silawa for a Buddha washing ceremony. This is a simple and serene forest wat about ten minutes from home. If I was to become a monk this is the place I would base myself. The abbot Pu Yow is a warm, friendly man and his temple is disciplined with immaculate presentation. Most of these photos were taken in an area covered with a green shade cloth, which is why the colour is a bit odd.
A open roofed structure surrounded by mature trees. I think the Buddha would far prefer this sort of environment than the huge, ostentatious, if spectacular, temples you see on the tourist agenda. Note all the fresh flowers, which are always on display in this temple. Compare that to so many others that ether have nothing or offer some dusty plastic ones!
Usually closed to the public the abbot here has been kind enough to invite me to use it for meditation sessions. It is these sorts of acts of generosity that makes an “outsider” like me feel more connected and involved.
We arrived at the midday chanting with lots of mini-monks in attendance, school kids who become a monk for the holidays.

Using a Dok Khun branch (the bright yellow flowered tree this time of year) to sprinkle water of the many Buddhas.

The other smaller public area. An open building again so that the view of the simple Buddha shrine can flow into the surrounding trees.

One of the entrances to the wat. If you were feeling stressed you’d get an immediate benefit seeing an inviting path to the temple like this.

This mostly timber building is typical of most forest (Pha/Pa) wats. It is used for larger ceremonial occasions.

On the way home we called into another wat to check out the sandcastle competition. Famous wats from around Thailand or maybe just someone’s imagination!

I have written before about this temple where the sandcastles were made. It is one of my favourites and obviously other people’s as well.
So another Songkran comes to an end. Yesterday finished with a big street party in our village and ended with a family Isaan BBQ buffet. It has been a wonderful mixed time with parties, Buddhist ceremonies, water fights and family occasions including a wedding. To friends and family be quick and book your room at the Eastmead/Vansutha estate for next year.
ONE: The government wanted a strong traditional Thai theme to Songkran this year, which is why, if you were here during this period, you may have seen more people in this sort of outfit than in previous years. Gaun tells me this is a Bangkok traditional dress, not Isaan. I won’t cover the street party as I have done it all before.
TWO: Our village is a bit stingy when it come to throwing a party. The local “council” is dominated by older people so noisy, fun stuff sometimes gets pretty muted. This year the youngsters decided enough was enough and they got together to kick in 200 baht each and hire a HUGE music truck for the street party, playing their sort of music. The old folk are still recovering! Funny.
THREE: An elderly lady across the road from mama’s house is very sick. Normally the party would come down the road outside her place but this year it was moved to another street so that she wasn’t too disturbed by the noise. Now that’s how living in a community should be.
Suggest something involving food to an Isaan person and the world moves to make it happen. In typical “normal” behaviour the family didn’t just expect the farang to kick in. Jun, Gaun’s elder brother put in 1,000 baht as did his daughter and Yuan contributed 500 baht. This photo is a mix of family living in the village, their kids who are back for Songkran and Jun and his family who work in Bangkok.

I couldn’t think of a better way to start the new year than with a group of people like this. Top quality, decent folk who have made a farang one of their own.
Thanks for reading.
Hi Tony,
Another great post, with wonderful stop action photos of the joyous events of Songkran. A water fight brings out the kid in everyone. Wouldn’t it be great if the world’s problems could be determined by the outcome of a water fight? Everything from marital disputes to country divisions solved with a simple water fight. President Trump and Kim Jon Un go at it with water balloons rather than nuclear weapons. Once again you captured the true essence of living in an area where cultural events outweigh the changing environment around us. My Asian friends celebrate their New Year here, but you can see it’s not the same as it is for those fortunate enough to be able to fly home to family. Your post is more poignant in that you included the deeper meaning of Songkran aside from only displays of water fights found on the numerous other sites. I am thoroughly enjoying seeing life in Thailand through your living diary. Also, I see Duk Dik made his appearance. However; warn him he has competition. After a night of debauchery, I wake the next morning as the world’s scruffiest man .
Cheers, and Happy New Year!
Jim in CA
Thanks for a comment that was so enjoyable to read Jim. Duk Dik will be greatly relieved to hear that he is only the second scruffiest man in the world and I can relate to your thinking 🙂
I totally agree with your solution to the world’s conflicts. A water fight would be just the thing. If we sent our political leaders into battle leading the charge, like in ancient times, we would have instant world peace.
The next big celebration in Isaan is Bun Bang Fai, the rocket festival to encourage rains, which is equally enjoyable but in a drier way. Look out for posts on that next month.
All the very best to you Jim.
Tony
Another great read Tony, thank you.
Chris and Nong
Terrific photos of people Tony, really shows the Songkran spirit, and the fun (sanook) people have at this time of year…cheers
Thanks a lot Shane. I am always pleased to hear from readers who enjoy to come along on these small adventures!
Cheers.