Nile Guide Bangkok: Photo Friday

After a wet week of a welcome disturbance in the Bangkok streets, Songrkan Festival has come to a close. Predictions were dismal that this year’s celebration would be muted by the Red Shirt protests but despite a general lack of foreigners compared to other years, the Thai are still able to have fun. In fact, the relief may have even heightened the mood. Gatherings at Khao San Road and Silom Road seemed as joyful as ever and lasted well into the night. But one element of Songkran typically missed by the tourist crowd — since we don’t usually own cars here and are a little careful about what happens to our rentals — is the water fight drive-by. Groups with big mischievous smiles or the amusing intensity of children addressing the matter with intense concentration wait on corners with hoses or barrels for a water supply. They watch the roads for pickup trucks full of revelers as well as motorbikes or songtaews (the two-bench partly covered pickups that function as mini-buses) and then let them have it when they pass. If you ever want to see a nation let loose its inner child, go to Thailand on April 13 for Songkran.

Following closely behind a water fight and waiting to surprise attack with a supersoaker once the sidewalk kids empty their buckets on the previous vehicle. Sneaky, I know. Photo by Kevin Revolinski