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No matter where you are in the world, the celebrating the new year always turns into one damn big party. New York corners the market for New Year’s Eve, Philadelphia has New Year’s Day in a hammerlock. In China, things follow the phases of the moon, so the party kicks off in February, whereupon Hong Kong is the place to be. But in Thailand, the revelry starts even later: April 13.
Why so late? Southeast Asia’s holidays are a nod to India’s ancient influence, and on April 13, the Sun enters the constellation of Aires, considered the start of the region’s holy zodiacal year. In Thailand, this changing of the worlds is called Songkran. It was a time to wash away the sins of the old year, and start afresh. Buddhist priests would make the rounds, anointing the faithful with a bit of chalk powder as a sign of renewal.
But you would have no idea of all that, because today Songkran is a three-day nationwide chalk-and-water fight. If there was ever a holiday unique to Thailand, this is it, and is the perfect time to visit. But be warned: Gangs of Thais armed with super-soakers and bags of chalk powder roam the streets of Bangkok and Chang Mai, poofing and/or dousing everybody in reach. Some forego the super-soakers for buckets. No one is spared, and if you don’t come out of it looking like a goopy Pillsbury Dough Boy, you did something wrong. So pack some old clothes, wrap your iPhone in plastic, and let the hydrogen oxide (that’s water, FYI) fly.
While not a gay event in particular, it didn’t take long for the gay boys (…make that the “dripping wet gay boys in itty-bitty Speedos”) of Thailand to get on board—Songkran was as good an excuse as any to have the mother of all parties, and now the holiday has the added perk of ushering in Southeast Asia’s biggest collective circuit party, pulling in DJs of the finest caliber from all over the world: Tony Moran, Alex Acosta, and DJ Alexander are all on tap for this year’s main blow-out, with the bars in Bangkok’s gay district of Silom throwing their own supporting events.
April may seem a while off, but as always, it behooves you to book early to get the best rates for flights and hotels, both of which fill fast. This is the biggest holiday in Thailand, and those in the know already have room, board, and transportation squared away.
For more information, go to http://www.gcircuit.com/index.php or contact Steele Luxury Travel for booking assistance at 646-688-2274 or e-mail [email protected]