Songkran Day 13 April 2015

What is Songkran day?
The name comes from Sanskrit and in other regions around Asia is the new year day, in all these areas the main religion is Buddhism.
Among Thai people is simply the New Year celebration in Thailand and marks the passage from the hot and dry season to the more humid and rainy Summer. Until the end of 19th century was the official new year day. the Thailand uniformed to rest of the world moving to 1st January, despite this Thai People celebrate the New year on 13th April every Year.

It is most important celebration in Thailand and is public holidays from 13th to 15th April

It is a day to stay together with friends and Family, enjoy food and splash a lot of water each others and to others. The water will refresh people and wash away all bed from past year

Thai People will take all the Buddha out the house and revere them with gently perfumed shower , then start the day, when  visit someone house will be a polite gesture to pour water and flowers on the Buddah of the house

Songkarn day - Thailand

Songkran celebration

When is Songkran in Phuket ?
SongKran is from 13th to 15th April and in some areas even longer, In Phuket Celebration is only on the 13th April, when everyone gather along streets and start splashing from morning to sunset

Easy Day Thailand Team, ready for action

Why is Songkran so special?
Thailand has strong traditions dating back in history and Songkran is considered one of most important day in the year and marks the important passage from dry season to rain.

Splashing time

Being Agriculture a very important part of Thailand life the Songkran Day keeps its importance in people life and is a day for everyone o relax and have fun. It is common to see people splashing Police officers and from them reply with a smile and bit of water too.

Songkran 13 April

Some important things to keep in mind during Songkran celebration:

By tradition the water splashing is between sunrise and sunset.
When dark people will dress then normally and do not except that tourists splash water all night just thinking is fun. To avoid confontrations and problem, just follow the tradition and behave.

It is not allow drink alcohol along the streets and public areas designated for water play, don't complain then if Police come and pick up those that though was just a big pool party.

Dress properly as requested by Thai habits. Songkran isn't world biggest wet shirt competition.

Everyone like drive around and stop at the spots where people splash each other, driver very carefully. Sometime ice is add to water and splashed on riders face...most of times is fun..sometime accidents happen.

Drink and drive is a criminal offense also at Songkran Day.

How to fully enjoy Songkran Day

Find a place where gather with your friends enjoy a BBQ and some beers, play fairly with those like to play splashing each other, don't drive around to avoid accidents.

When sun goes down put all "weapons" away, relax and have a good night sleep, next day is a new year

Sunset at Kamla Beach 

Phuket weather update:

A quick about to let everyone know that weather is fantastic and very hot and seems that will stay like this for all next week, making Songkran perfect.

Phuket weather in May 2014 from 1st to 14th

It is time again for South west Monsoon, but first of all see what happen during last part of April.

April was surely hot and dry only few thunderstorms and some rain but really not enough to relief from hot temperature and drought. Specialist s said was the driest season in Phuket since 30 years.

Consider that since end of November didn't rain at all. We have enjoyed cool and dry air up to end of March. But as been more windy then normal during the North East Monsoon season. 

So we leave behind the flat sea on Phuket West Coast, as the picture below of Laem Singh Beach

Laem Singh Beach in Phuket

And we came into May with more rainfalls and thunderstorms. During first week they were locally  without wind and the sea was flat during. At least the rain during the night helped to cool the temperature but humidity increased.

Once humidity increases we feel that air is hooter and this was the situation during first week of May, no wind, very hot, best stay out at sea and enjoy the evening breeze on boat.

On the 10th of May the situation changed with first storm coming from west bringing heavy rain and strong wind during the storm. This means that the South West monsoon as kicked in and for few days we will have sunshine alternate to rain and wind. The Sea on West coast will be choppy all day long.

Rain storm cover Kathu Hills - view from our new offices

Can compare with last year situation and have a better idea about weather in Phuket during May so will make easier to plan your holidays.

Time again for Rafting, tubing, enjoy waterfalls and rivers that slowly start to fill in.

May is also a month with a lot of Public holidays, the labor day on 1st of May. Then we had Thailand Coronation day on 5th May. soon followed by the Royal Ploughing Ceremony day on the 9th and close with one of most important religious holidays the Visaka Bucha Day on the 13th of May.

The Visaka Bucha Day falls on 6th Lunar month full Moon and Buddhist celebrate three important milestones in the life of Lord Buddha; birth, enlightenment and death. 

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Phuket Weather Blog from 21 to 24 October 2013

Everything is getting ready for the Phuket FIVB Volleyball Open. This great international event will start on 29 October to en on 3rd November.

Phuket FIVB Open - Karon Beach

The teams will play at best at Karon Beach where sand is ready for them and the viewers. The weather should stay at it is now, blue sky with some white and foamy clouds that helps to keep the temperature down. Really can ask better.

Stands are ready for Phuket FIVB Open - Karon Beach

On 20th was last day of Buddhist Lent period, remember it started back on 23rd  July. Weather was very different that day. The day is also called oog Pansa, that means end of the Lent. It marks the passage from rain season to dry and in Phuket couldn't be more true this year. Very nice and flat sea, only some shower at night that just lat one hour.

This week also an important Thailand public holiday on 23rd October is Chulalongkorn Day or or “Piyamaharaj Day". This is a very important day for Thai People. It is the memorial of the day when reverted and loved King Rama V passed away.  Also yesterday weather was very good making great for those on holiday and those took a day off.

Karon Beach 23rd October 2013

This morning again nothing changed and Kamala beach is ready for the season. Still my favorite place to chill out on week end. specially before gets to crowed during peak season. This morning was just perfect. high tide,, sun shining and not too many people. The Maphrao BeachResort  is just in front the beach making this small guest house a perfect place where enjoy an easy holiday.

Kamala Beach on 24th October 2013

Kamala Beach - Maphrao Beach Resort

Phuket weather 12 August 2013 - Thailand Public Holiday

First of all today is one of most important Thailand Public Holidays, it is HM The Queen Birthday. Business, government offices and banks are close for one day to allow people to participate to events and pay respect to HM Queen of Thailand Sirikit.

Long Life The Queen

Weather in Phuket during this special day was good in the morning, then strong wind gusts announced the afternoon storms that washed Phuket Town and the West Coast.

During this day you need always be ready for rain so get a dry bag, very useful in the era of electronics and a rain poncho, this will make sure that with a good mood all will be right during your stay.

Rain coats shops in Phuket Town

Don't forget the many things Phuket offers during raining days, enjoy spas, museums and private city and island tour for shopping and sightseeing. Bars and venues will be closed on 12 August when it is prohibited sell alcohol, the ban start at 00:00 on 12 August and end at 5:00 hrs on 13 August.

Phuket Weather 23 July 2012 - Khao Pansa Day

Today is first day of Buddhist Lent, Pansa in Thai language, from now for three lunar mounts the Monks will stay in the temples, this is because is the start of the rain period, Sop they will spend more time on meditation. on Khao Pansa Day also many Thai male that haven't done yet their Monkshood period enter the temples.

Weather is on line with this, rain start falling heavily last night and was raining all day long, with some sun strays between midday and afternoon. In the morning wind was sometime strong and waves offshore during storms could be around two meters.

Patong Beach - high tide

being a Thailand public holidays many people enjoyed Khao Pansa Day resting, perfect with air cooled by rain. No alcohol sales and may restaurants will be closed.

From tomorrow weather should improve to then go to sunshine and now wind by the weekend.

Phuket weather 22 July 2013 - Asarnha Bucha Day

Today is Thailand public holidays as it is Asarnha Bucha Day, this also means we are at the 15th night of the eighth month of the Buddhist Lunar calendar.

Kathu Chinese Shrine

So how was the weather for those that have a day off? Not so bad, wind in the morning was strong and blew all clouds then it went down after mid day, leaving a clear sky and a surprising flat sea.

Low tide at Patong Beach - 22 July 2013

Today is the celebration of Lord Buddha first sermon, is a day for relax and celebration before enter the three months Buddhist Lent. So also at Kathu everything was ready for celebration, parade started with bands, costumes and authority dressed for the event... but a storm came from West and over the hills, despite short rain it was strong and the procession almost dissolved, everyone looked for a shelter waiting for the rain to stop.

Kalim Beach - storm coming from sea

One of the band under the rain

Kathu - waiting for rain to stop

Asalha Bucha Day anyway is holidays so soon everyone was enjoying the food stalls and shopping at the markets. And if you are on holidays is a perfect day for an Island tour and see a bite of real local life.

Kathu - the procession start again

After rain the band regroup

Phuket weather 24 May 2013 also Visaka Bucha Day

During the night we had heavy rain falls but in the morning just grey sky and people were on the streets for traditional Sai Bat (ใส่ บาตร), offer food to Monks. All day will be cover in clouds and rain will probably pour down late afternoon. Forecast say will be like this for all weekend.

Offering food to Monks in the morning

Kathu Temple - Phuket

Today is public holiday in Thailand it is Visaka Bucha Day (วันวิสาขบูชา), that is celebrate on the full moon that marks the 6th Lunar month.

It is Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Also observed as National Tree Day. People also will do their offer to Monks at  temples, afternoon was time for them to put gs in order

Wat Kathu in Phuket

Schools, Banks and government offices are closed. Alcohol sale are banned so also bars and other venues will stay closed.

Thailand public holidays

If like to see local tradition and life then take an half day tour starting early morning and get around some of the temples.

Kathu Temple is one of oldest temple in Phuket and very close to most popular resorts areas.

Kathu Temple

Wat Kathu

Monks shelter at Kathu Temple

More about Wat Kathu