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Songkran Festival
(April 7-15, 2003 at Sanam Luang and citywide, Bangkok)
This traditional Thai New Year may be celebrated all over the city, but the main spectacles center around the old area of Bangkok near the Grand Palace, Rachadamneon Avenue and Khaosan Road. At Sanam Luang, the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image will be displayed and bathed by thousands of Buddhists, while, not so far away from Sanam Luang, in the town’s main backpacker haven, Khaosan Road, several thousands of locals and tourists have a blast in the city’s biggest water battle. During this festival, Rachadamneon Avenue’s charm will be enhanced by beautiful fountains along the avenue.
A Little Advice
1. If you get involved in the water splashing, remember that older people are exempt. It's not a great idea to splash policemen either.
2. If you decide to get into the splashing, approach people with respect. Don't get too carried away, or you may accidentally give offence.
3. Take it all in your stride. Maybe you didn't realise that you were going to be in Thailand at this time, and hadn't planned on getting soaked. Well. no amount of getting annoyed is going to change that -- it's their country and their most important festival and the Thai people are going to enjoy it. Put on your worst clothes (or buy some cheap ones) and get into it. You're on holiday -- forget everything, look, learn new things, and just have FUN. You might just find yourself feeling cleansed.
courtesy of: http://www.thailandgrandfestival.com/festival.asp?festID=7r />
I took the photo just this afternoon along the way to the park and they really put us some water even my little one:) Leave a Comment Website: http://www.thailandgrandfestival.com/festival.asp?
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| | | | People: Lady-boy? Or real woman? ... Just ask. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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I live in Bangkok. It is rather amuzing to read warning on forums about Bangkok to "WATCH OUT FOR LADY-BOYS!"
When I read such warnings, I often wonder why the strident comments? Instead, I'll offer some facts:
Lady-boys are young men who prefer to dress and act like women. They are not necessarily homosexuals. Lady-boys are common in Thailand. Lady-boys have active roles on Thai television. You can also see lady-boys working in grocery stores, markets, travel agencies - in fact, all kinds of businesses. If the business would employ a woman, it probably would employ a lady-boy.
There are lady-boys working in the brothels & bars also. Some of them are stunningly beautiful - from a distance. But up close, the makeup is a bit thick, the breasts too high, the clothing seems forced. Hands and feet may appear too large for the body. And, of course, the Adam's apple.
If a man is in a bar, and a woman looks attractive and tempting, how would the man know if this is a real woman? The simple solution is merely ask, quietly and politely: "Are you lady-boy, or not?" All Thais may not always give an honest answer to all questions, but to that question, the probablility is almost 100% of getting an honest reply. A lady-boy would likely grin or giggle, and admit it. A real woman would get a bit annoyed, and probably do or show something to prove her veracity. There is nothing dangerous about this.
There is one area where lady-boys can be dangerous and that is street-crime. Some pickpockets dress as lady-boys in order to more easily approach their "mark". I've never experienced this, but have read enough reports, that I think there must be something to it.
Overall, when I've encountered lady-boys in shops or offices, they've been helpful and friendly. I've never had any problems with lady-boys.
Short answer - not to worry.
-- Peter Leave a Comment
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