Travel Tips - Cambodia - Thailand - March 2008

BEWARE OF SONGKRAN - During Songkran people roam the streets with containers of water or water guns and powder, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. Water from the canals is often used. The canals are Bangkok's sewers. The powder thrown combined with the water creates a chalk like film that can cause damage to your belongings. - CAMBODIA'S KHMER NEW YEAR

Monday March 31, 2008 - National Radio Text Service

BEWARE OF THAILAND'S SONGKRAN HOLIDAY

One person's fun can lead to another person's pain or even death. Disrespectful behavior during Thailand's Songkran holiday is rampant. Basically it's TOURIST BEWARE.

It's that time of the year again when the Songkran holiday is celebrated. This year the celebrations will take place from April 12 through 16. . During Songkran people roam the streets with containers of water or water guns and powder, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby.

Water from the canals is often used. The canals are Bangkok's sewers. Excrement from surrounding homes, hotels and businesses flow into the canals. Boats use the canals adding gas and oil to the mix. Your option to avoid having your clothes ruined and being showered with filthy water is to avoid Thailand during this time or confine yourself to your hotel.

During Songkran excessive drinking takes place in celebrating the holiday that results in many drunk-driving accidents on the road. The powder thrown combined with the water creates a chalk like film that can cause damage to your clothes. If you choose to venture out of your hotel during Songkran it is advisable not to wear any jewelry and particularly a watch. It is also wise NOT GO outside with a digital or video camera. Tourists and shopping areas near canals include, Siam Square and the World Trade Center.

Health awareness regarding the dangers of being exposed to filthy water doesn't seem to be recognized in Thailand. If you travel on the canal boats you will often see children swimming in the canal.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by gently pouring a small amount of water on other people's hands or over a shoulder as a sign of respect. The water originally was meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and was sometimes filled with fragrant herbs. The powder represented the use of plaster which is very common having originated in the plaster used by monks to mark blessings.

Among young people and immature foreign tourists the holiday evolved to include dousing strangers with water to relieve the heat, since April is the hottest month in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100°F or 40°C on some days). This has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in motor vehicles.

Currently, the emphasis is on fun and water-throwing rather than on the festival's spiritual and religious aspects, which sometimes prompts complaints from traditionalists. In recent years there have been calls to moderate the festival to lessen the many alcohol-related road accidents as well as injuries attributed to extreme behavior such as water being thrown in the faces of traveling motorcyclists.

We had a dangerous experience in Phuket several years ago. While driving a rented motorbike down a steep hill around a curve a crowd of youths threw buckets of water on us. We hit a water slick and skidded off the road over an embankment. Our legs and arms were skinned up and a trip to the hospital was required. Our clothes were destroyed from excessive rips and tears. Clothing worn after the injuries could not touch the abrasions in order for them to heal properly.

The healing process took over a month. The holiday was ruined. We took our wounds back to our country. When we related the story to Thai's they found the incident humorous. Go figure......

The abusive use of water and powder was not always the main activity of this festival. For some it was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors. Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. The belief is that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

Some people make New Year resolutions - to refrain from bad behavior, or to do good things. Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Besides washing household Buddha images, many Thais also take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning. What the holiday represented then does not reflect what largely happens now.

To avoid this abusive behavior we recommend for those concerned to stay away from Thailand. In many instances due to a considerable amount of people traveling to their provinces they return to work beyond the time frame set for the holiday. We experienced this with computer repair employees taking an extra two days to return to work. Road and rail transport is full and that factors into some of the delays. If you plan to travel during this time reserve your bookings early.

CAMBODIAN (KHMER) NEW YEAR

Cambodia's Khmer New Year is also celebrated during this period. This year it will be observed from April 13 to 17th. During this time banks are closed as well as many restaurants, business and supermarkets. It is wise to stock up on your needs prior to the holiday for when it begins Phnom Penh resembles a ghost town like city.

Unlike Thailand there is no abuse of throwing water and powder at foreigners although it is practiced in the provinces and villages. When visiting Phnom Penh a good experience is visiting the Royal Palace. In Siem Reap Angkor Wat remains the jewel in Cambodia's tourist crown.

DR BEAT IN SIEM REAP

Dr. Beat Richner is most notably known for two things... building children's hospitals in Cambodia and playing the cello. Dr. Beat performs in Siem Reap in the auditorium of Jayvarman Hospital Saturday nights at 7:15pm.

CAMBODIA'S UCB BANK OFFERS NO CHARGE FOR CASH WITHDRAW

Something for free is hard to believe but the Union Commercial Bank in Cambodia (UCB) offers just that with their no charge by them for cash advances. UCB has offices in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap and Battambang.