Hello Bro Norice, enjoying retirement so far? Today's Chakri Day so its still a public holiday. Wait until tomorrow and we can see the impact of the Reds on businesses. Today the Reds are seen tearing up police orders for them to move, invaded the Elections Office and moving into roads that they are supposedly banned from. Looks like we are heading for a confrontation soon. Best avoid areas where the Reds are encamped.
Songkran in Bangkok pretty quite. Most action in Khao San Road. I think Songkran officially starts on the 14th. Some will start heading back to the provinces this Friday. Celebrations throughout Thailand. Avoid the more rural area's temple fairs becoz there will always be drunken "wai luns" with old scores to settle. Watch on TV last year of groups of drunken youths beating the shit out of each other. I guess Bangkokians get a kick watching it. Reinforces the notion why they can't be trusted to run the country.
Either head to Hat Yai via plane (Don Muang-1/2 hour), mini-van/bus at Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Dai-12 hours) or train (Hualumpong-13 hours++). I maybe heading to Pattaya for Songkran
maybe book a mini-van if there is enough people going. Heard from tilak quite sanok there!