SONGKRAN (PI MAY)

From April 13 throughout the country. Pi May (Pi = year; May = new) or Songkran, is THE religious festival, marking the passage to a new year. It's a time for joyful sprinkling during the three days of festivities (one day for the end of the year, another for transition, plus the first day of the new year). Originally, the Thais only watered Buddha statues, but nowadays everyone goes through, which is great because this is one of the hottest months of the year.

Go out armed with a water gun! Religious fervor, processions with music through the city and the opportunity to wash the Buddha statues. In principle, people pour water on each other's shoulders as a sign of prosperity. And in practice, from morning to evening, everyone sprays each other with buckets of water (sometimes with ice cubes!), and water pistols. It is strongly advised not to ride a two-wheeler, to avoid breaking your face! A very drunken party. And in all senses of the word unfortunately, alcohol is also flowing. In any case, be careful: protect your eyes (water is drawn from any pool or canal) and it is better to leave your phone and passport at the hotel, even if you can easily find plastic bags to put around your neck. In principle, everything becomes quiet again at nightfall.