Under Water World In Pataya, Thailand

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Happy New Year (Songkran Festival)

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand...

The Thai New Year (สงกรานต์ = Songkran in Thai language) is fixed every year from 13 to 15 April. The Burmese New Year Thingyan is announced by the traditional calendar of Myanmar Team and normally falls around 13 April. Cambodia celebrates from 13 to 15 April as the Cambodian New Year on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month, at the end of Cambodia's rainy season. The Lao New Year is celebrated every year from 13 to 16 April.

The Water Festival (Thai:Songkran:สงกรานต์) is the form New Year celebrations take in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and the Chinese province Yunnan on the day of the full moon of the 11th month of each year. It is called the 'Water Festival' by Westerners because people throw water at one another as part of the cleansing ritual to welcome the new year.

Traditionally people gently sprinkled water on one another as a sign of respect, but as the new year falls during the hottest month in South East Asia, many people end up dousing strangers and passersby in vehicles in boisterous celebration. The festival has many different names specific to each country, such as Songkran in Thailand and Pi-Mai Lao in Laos (translates as "New Year"), Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia, and Thingyan in Myanmar.

The New Year is celebrated in other south asian countries, based on the astrological event of the sun beginning its northward journey. Traditional dance, singing and cultural shows are performed together during the festival. Religious activities in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism are also carried out at both Pagoda and Monastery. Young people visit elders to pay respect during this period.

So, i am having a looooong holiday, because in Laos where i am now, the government has declared a week long holiday... No government offices activities, no banks, no school... so, sleep and eat and play water... LOL!!

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Thailand in Turmoil Part 4

Thai soldiers fire rifles in the air to disperse anti-government protesters as they clear an intersection in downtown Bangkok Thailand Monday, April 13, 2009.

Thai soldiers detain an anti-government protestor following a clash in down town Bangkok.

Residents arm themselves against supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok April 13, 2009. Thai troops fired at crowds of anti-government protesters in central Bangkok on Monday and demonstrators fought back with firebombs and rocks, propelling Thailand deeper into political crisis.

A supporter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is assisted by medical workers after troops fired in the air in Bangkok April 13, 2009.

A supporter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra waves a national flag in front of a torched bus during a protest.

Armed troops look up as they clear a road blocked by supporters.

Thai soldiers form up line while dispersing anti-government protesters during a protest on the street.

Thai firefighters control fire on a bus after anti-government protesters and supporters set up the roadblock and set up fire on the bus during a protest on the road.

Thai troops fired assault rifles at crowds of anti-government protesters in downtown Bangkok.

Thai soldiers face off against anti-government demonstrators.

Medical workers transport an injured supporter.

Thai soldiers put out a fire during a standoff with anti-government near downtown Monday, April 13, 2009, in Bangkok. Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency shutting down rail service as soldiers continue to battle against anti-government demonstrators

Thai soldiers face off with anti-government protestors near downtown.

A supporter is holding a weapon, takes cover under an elevated road in Bangkok.

Supporters burn tyres during a protest.

Supporters burn tyres during a protest.

Thai soldiers point to protesters who threw fire bomb to them after the troops cleared an intersection in downtown.

Thai soldiers load their guns with bullets while confronting anti-government protesters and supporters.

An anti-government protester and supporter, facing camera, pleas to Thai soldiers to stop shooting during a protest on the street, April 13, 2009. Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire and threw tear gas to clear anti-government protesters from a major intersection in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness Monday.

7 year old boy Apple Rozas, from Britain, poses with a water gun for his father, in front of Thai soldiers after they cleared an intersection, in Bangkok.

Dad... your son's photo...!!

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