The Psychology Of Songkran

The time of the year so many try to avoid is here again: Songkran. Thailand’s damp-chaotic New Year celebration. But there’s more to the celebration than just good wishes and water battles. The national insanity, with the country transforming itself into a madhouse, is a stabilizing factor.

From our dear officials you’ll hear that they try to prevent the many water battles and unavoidable road accidents. Truth though is: The breakdown of taboos resulting from the celebrations is an important social valve. After a year of want and privation Thais are finally allowed to let off steam. They’re allowed to do what you’re not able to do during the rest of the year. Songkran? An oriental bread and circuses.

With Songkran Thailand will host another country-wide water battle. This year again the kingdom will be transformed into a madhouse for several days with many only interested in the one thing: To knock people down with hyper-powered water machine guns. Ice cubes and color do as well. Sounds like big time fun. Fun?! During Songkran ’08 with another record of deaths the interior minister considered an alcohol ban, the Red Cross ran out of blood supplies and the water warriors keep on wasting water during the most dry season. Fun? Songkran’s a pure annoyance.

By SukhumvitFrank

In Bangkok and in villages, from the North to South and East and West of this country, the same mayhem will prevail: Groups of people – from the toddler to great-grandpa – lurk around with filled water containers ready. And how they enjoy to splash passersby with water. Doesn’t matter if you’re all dressed up and will get all messed up. No sane person leaves the sanity of ones own four walls during Songkran without being prepared for the worst.

Songkran means it’s war out there.

“Songkran, fun?” says former world-class badmington player Charoen Wattanasin. “I don’t want to struggle with others to get around and just find food.” If you can find food. Most restaurants will tell you: “Sorry, finished,” after you waited quite some time to even get a seat.

The official Songkran‘s muted and grandmotherly.

Real Songkran though: Gangs of cheering water warriors roam the streets with their pickup trucks – if only you’d left Thailand in time. Hotels in Thailand during Songkran are as hyper-overpriced as the water machine guns are hyper-overpowered. Have at least your mobile phone and purse wrapped in a plastic bag. No warrior will show mercy. Not the giggling girl, not the drunkard.

Everybody’s a victim – why should you escape.

The louder your cries of disgust, the more the fun.

Many farangs leave Thailand on purpose for that very time. Others stuff their fridge with food for a week, have plenty of DVDs ready and don’t leave home until the madness is over.

During lucky years, a cold weather front can hit the kingdom. And Thais hate nothing more than freezing. The streets will be safe, you could enjoy Songkran.

But mostly it’s hotter than hot and some jolly farang newbies take part in the national hilariousness. Yes, it can be fun to be a water terrorist along Khao San. And I do appreciate that during Songkran whole dusty villages get hosed down and look again nice and clean.

What?! I’m not appreciating the traditions of our beautiful host country here?

I don’t appreciate the terrors of Songkran.

But there’s a reason for Songkran being that … wild:

Boy sees girl with wet spaghetti straps as if naked.

Girl gets touched by boy in the heat of the fights.

Boy and girl get together.

And if water, why no beer and Sang Thip and sato? And so on.

Songkran marks the halt of all that’s morally sound and ethically standardizes.

Too many taboos and traditions in Thailands strictly hierarchical and paternalistic society already.

Songkran is nothing less than the eagerly awaited, yearly escape from Thailand’s social handcuffs.

Ok, it’s hot during Songkran. Not only climate-wise. Minds and desires like to boil over as well.

I can take some extra water, but please no extra heat.

Legend though tells us that virgins in faraway times were able to extinguish some hellfire with buckets of water. That’s why we celebrate Songkran today.

That was back then.

Instead of water-pouring virgins, we have to face water-terrorizing gangs.

The only virginity left is the sometimes overly loose dress code. Could live with that. And ok, who doesn’t adore the tarted up Songkran queens. But what’s more important: Songkran is that annual breakdown and interruption of countless taboos.

Superficially it would be the time for New Year’s wishes.

Subliminally though archaic behaviors and feelings break through after long months and months of suppression.

Sociologists call Songkran a release or relief valve. Sociologists say a society still gagged by rigid hierarchic traditions rooted in feudal times is finally allowed to let off steam.

Rules are broken, law and order become unknown, taboos are a thing of the past.

And all the patriarchs, politicians and lords here know: Do not suppress dammed up pressure. You’ll face explosions otherwise.

Society needs release valves.

In the West they have their carnival, Fasching and Mardi Gras.

Even more so during politically heated times, let the people rage themselves out.

After being heated up and agonized the whole year round: Songkran gives Thais the freedom and chance to chill themselves down.

Or you seriously think the kingdom should abolish Songkran?!