Songkran 2012 Pictures celebrated in Hat Yai, Southern Thailand. The massive water festival is celebrated from the 13-15th April and on the eve of Songkran, there was a special Midnight Songkran held here with a series of events taking place. The roads in the city were jam packed with many locals and foreigners who came out to celebrate the Thai New Year. A huge concert was held just in front of the Central Shopping Complex while throughout the main city area, there was many other things going on like Muay Thai, Thai Water Boxing, a Songkran Beauty Contest and a hive a of activities. Food wise, there were many choices of local Thai food sold throughout the streets here.
Songkran 2012 in Hat Yai, Thailand - Splashing away
The highlight of Songkran 2012 was all about the water splashing time. Through the country, Thais and foreigners celebrated this festival with great fun. Pickup trucks, tuk tuks, motorbikes were seen in full force having a wonderful time. As this is my first ever Water Festival, I took the opportunity to roam the streets of Hat Yai, armed with my plastic bag covered camera, t-shirt, shorts and slippers to capture some of the fun moments of the Songrkan. And yes - I did get splashed. Many times too. But it was all in good fun. Below are various pictures taken in Hatyai for the Songkran 2012. Please click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Beautiful Thai girl in Hat Yai during the water festival
Passengers on tuk tuks were not spared too
Songkran Expressions
Left: A kid with water gun back pack, Right: Girls gets splashed big time
Even other races are seen enjoying Songkran in Hat Yai, Thailand
Left: Girl gets a dousing, Right: Thai kids prepare for the fun
Splashing along the streets of Hat Yai
Young kid geared up with a huge water gun during the Songkran
If you have never been to this unique water festival, I would recommend you must try this one day. It is celebrated throughout the 77 provinces of Thailand and well known in the larger cities like Bangkok, Phuket and Hat Yai. The one thing about this stunning festival is that during the three days, everyone gets soaked in good fun so if you dislike water, especially cold water, this is not for you.
I really enjoyed walking the streets of Hat Yai, seeing how the locals celebrate the water festival. It runs from morning till night and usually very intense in the city. Even in the outskirts, it is active with locals driving around in their pickup trucks loaded with huge containers of water splashing anyone that comes to sight. The one thing you must remember, protect your phone and wallet/purse with plastic. Here are photos of the Hat Yai Midnight Songkran which was taken by me from 8pm till 2am.
As I write this, it is the first day of Songkran here in Hat Yai and I still have two more days to go so please do subscribe to Malaysia Asia as there will be follow up articles on this. Happy Songkran to all Thai's celebrating and hopefully without getting totally soaked, I can capture many more interesting Songkran 2012 pictures.
15 comments :
Lots of wet fun, it seems. I would prefer this festival - hands down - over La Tomatina which is the tomato throwing festival in Spain.
New Years in the southern world seems so different from up here in the north. Songkran looks lively!
You have got to love that last picture of the youngster all geared up! He looks like he's having some serious fun :)
What a fun festival. You captured it wonderfully!
All that splashing water looks like a lot of fun. Love the boy with the huge water gun. Cool festival to be part of.
lilypond - Yes, that is one festival which I would like to attend! La Tomatina is on my list!
Sophie - They have the Midnight Songkran which is awesome!
Christina - Yes, many were geared up while many were caught off guard!
Fida - Thank you so much. With a plastic bag over my camera too!
Cathy - Hope you have the opportunity to experience this one fay here. Thanks.
That big dude without the shirt on was having way too much fun throwing water on other people!
This is like one great big water fight! I love it. Enjoyed seeing your pictures and learning about this unusual and fun festival.
Thanks Debbie. You should come for this one day. Utter fun!
Love the photos, it reminds me of Carnaval in South America
Wow, I have to go to this next year! Brilliant photos by the way!
Thanks very much Ayngelina and Victoria.
Looks like some serious fun! I have to make it next year... nice job on capturing the water being thrown as well :)
There's a lot of beautiful places in Malaysia and I'm wondering how they celebrate some special occasion. I know it is big day for them. Not only places are great but also the foods.
Man, that looks like a lot of fun. Songkran is a good reminder that we all need to be kids again!
Post a Comment