We planned to be in Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) for the opening day of Songkran (สงกรานต์). Khon Kaen was close-ish to half way to Ubon Ratchathani (our primary destination for this break) and it showed up in several lists of great places to celebrate Songkran in Thailand with some writers even including the descriptor “family friendly.
Songkran is tricky to sum up. It is more than a three-day, nationwide water fight. It is also the traditional Thai New Year. It is a day to honor the elderly. It is a day of blessing. It signals the transition from hot season to rainy season (though often there is a fair amount of hot season left to go).
In the morning there was not a lot happening yet, but we enjoyed a breakfast at Baan Heng (บ้านเฮง) at the recommendation of the Michelin guide and then some time in the park.
Closer to the time of the kick off parade we headed back towards the main streets. All along the way there were people who were happy to invite us into their play. We received everything from very gentle blessing splashes to buckets of cold water down our backs. In the heat (41°C / 106°F) all water was welcome.
When the parade came through we set down our water guns, bought a snack, and enjoyed the dancing, floats, and music.
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