Sopping, Soggy, Sodden, Soaking Songkran: The Thai New Year is Here! [S7.E64]

With the big holiday nearly here, Greg and Ed reminisce about
their various Songkran experiences over the years. Ed notes that
last year was a breakthrough year: he actually went out and
'threw water' for the first time in many years and had a blast.
Greg points out that it's pretty common for expats to love
Songkran at first, but then quickly switch to avoiding the
raucous celebrations for many years. Greg has found special
Songkran celebrations specifically designed to be kid-friendly,
which has allowed him to keep in touch with the experience
without a lot of the craziness. 


Ed recounts his very first Songkran experience in Chiang Mai, a
pivotal moment in his early years in Thailand as it was an
amazingly good time that included three full days of brutal water
wars. Ever since then he has been 'chasing the dragon' of that
first experience.


Greg then uses AI to do some insightful comparisons between
Songkran of 2005 and Songkran of 2025. The AI does a fairly good
job of noting the transition of the holiday from being primarily
local to being now well-known around the world, and one in which
the prior emphasis was on traditional family ritual while today
the experience is much more professionalized and commercial. Also
check out the photo of a very young Greg at his first Songkran,
with his friend Amanda. Oh to be young and wrinkle-free again!


Regardles of how it has changed, Songkran remains a defining Thai
experience not to be missed by tourists and expats. Just bring a
good attitude and prepare to get soaked!


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