No visitor who has ever been in Thailand for the month of April can have avoided coming into contact with the enchanting, hilarious, and occasionally exasperating and downright dangerous, watery explosion of public celebration which is Songkran. For most, it’s lots of fun and an excuse to cool off, in what is usually the hottest time of the year. However, there’s a deeper significance to Songkran, which is rooted in our history and in our beliefs. Allow us to tell you about this. Perhaps it will enhance your enjoyment of the event.

Songkran is our New Year and runs for three days from the 13th of April. The ancient Brahmins in India, where the tradition originated, believed that the sun started its annual orbit round the earth on this day, signalling the arrival of spring. Historically, rural Thais were freed from their farm work during this period, so the occasion became a festival. The name Songkran derives from the Indian word ‘Sangkranti’, which means ‘to move upwards’ or ‘to be about to change’. Before the celebration, Thais will spring clean their homes, symbolically expelling any bad luck from the old year and prepare for good fortune in the new. Food and other contributions will be offered to the monks at the temple early on the morning of the 13th, after which there will be ceremonial prayers and water will be poured on the ground or on the roots of an ancient tree, symbolising a blessing to our ancestors.

Thais who have moved from their home towns will always try to return to their families for Songkran and all forms of transport will be booked solid. For this reason you should try to avoid travelling before, during, or immediately after the holiday, particularly by bus or train.

In some provinces in north and central Thailand, a Buddha image will be carried in a procession through the streets and people will sprinkle water upon it, to show their respect. In the southern provinces, village elders will be invited to the temple, and the young people will splash water on their heads, signalling their blessings of health and long life. The elders will respond by wishing the young, vigour, wealth and happiness. In another delightful custom, Thais will visit their elderly relatives bringing them new clothes for the coming year.

Increasingly, urban Thais have come to celebrate the holiday in a frenzy of water-throwing. Nobody is immune. One of my fondest memories of Songkran is of an immaculately uniformed policeman (they’re normally very dignified) smiling good-naturedly as he paused to empty water from his highly polished boots. Unfortunately these high jinks can get out of hand. Motorised gangs equipped with high pressure water cannons, iced water and lots of enthusiasm, would have a go at each other (and anybody else), in running battles through the streets. Unfortunately, speeding traffic, wet streets and alcoholic bravado make for a dangerous cocktail. In the recent past the holidays were marred by tragic loss of life and injury. Inevitably the authorities had to move in to safeguard the people.

These days the holiday activities are closely monitored by police, and mass water throwing on Phuket is generally confined to a single day (13 April), and to specific zones − in Phuket City at Saphan Hin and at Rawai Beach, Kata/Karon Beaches, Nai Yang Beach, Surin Beach and Patong Beach, although you’ll still find small groups at the roadside all over the island, ready to give you a soaking as you drive by. Our advice is to join in with the locals. Don’t forget to put wallets, mobile phones, cigarettes, lighters, etc., in a plastic bag.

A highlight of the festive period (although before the real holiday begins) is Phuket Bike Week, which runs from the 10th to the 13th of April, so to be strictly accurate, it’s not really a week! The event grows in popularity each year and visitors are expected from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, USA, Australia, Europe, Hong Kong, and Japan. There will be a motorcycle exhibition at Jungceylon. Models on display include Harley Davidson (of course), BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and KTM – an eclectic selection of the world’s greatest, fastest and biggest bikes.

The highlight of the event is on the 11th, when all the riders take part in a ‘Ride for Peace’ around the island from Patong to Promthep Cape. For brief moments, Harleys will outnumber Honda Clicks, on the island’s highways!

This will be followed by a Grand Dinner at Thainaan Restaurant.

If you own a custom bike, have a tattoo and are beautiful (admittedly an unlikely combination), this could be a good time for you. There are contests for Best Tattoo, Best Bike and Miss ‘Phuket Bike Week 2009’ will be chosen.

At night, dance away to the best Thai groups, live.

Happy New Year and drive carefully.