Songkran Deaths

Thai New Year - Songkran 2012, the official holidays were April 13,14 and 15th.

In years past the holiday covered a longer period and in Pattaya and Samut Prakarn, Songkran goes until April 21st. This is the same time that Khmer New Year is celebrated although Cambodian festivities are far more restrained than those of their Thai neighbours.

Common to Songkran, excessive water is thrown, often from, or at, the back of moving Utes and motorcycles.

I learnt in Thai class today that Songkran is considered the height of fun - sanook (in Thai).
It is especially sanook to hose down women. One hose down if the woman is beautiful - suay - and 3 hoses down if the woman is considered not beautiful - mai suay. All in fun, and remember this is generally judged by a bunch of drunken males - in Utes.

However, amidst the fun is death - a lot of it. On Monday - 210 deaths were recorded, and 2288 accidents, usually involving cars or motorcycles.

During Songkran 2011 there were 271 deaths, and 3476 accidents.

As of today, the Bangkok Post reports - and Songkran still continues in some provinces-
282 deaths!


Sadly, this surpasses last year.