Why do so many people here have pick-ups? Rot-gra-bah in Thia. The answer to the question soon becomes apparent during Songkran. Todays journey would have us make our way to Lampao Dam near Kalasin proper.

The vehicle of choice had been out fitted with a 150ltr tub filled with water. Small bowls and buckets were soon found and they too made their way to the back of the vehicle. The younger kids all clambered into the back with me included of course and we were off. Yes, I remembered my waterproof camera.

Lampao Dam is some 35Km from Ban Nong Pai and most of it can be travelled by way of the major roads at 80 Kph. However, what’s the fun in that? Better to take the back streets through the villages and see the locals throw water at the pick-ups. Note to self: Bring wetsuit next time.

It wasn’t long before all the water in our tub had been gleefully flung at passing motor bikes, other pick-ups, pedestrians and innocent bystanders. Now what? We’re out of water. Well, Thai ingenuity kicks in (or is it the ability to make a buck?) and we stopped off at a canal. There some guy had set himself up with a pump and for ten baht you can have your tub refilled.

Off we went again. By now I was soaked through and through and had a generous lather of talc on my face. The latter being additional bonus relative to the passing on of good luck. The people at the side of the road will flag down the passing vehicles and touch each of the passengers faces with talc laden hand. This can of course get very messy given that everyone is wet. Farangs get priority I found.

It was great to see though that all of the antics are very light hearted. Nobody gets narky. How could you? If you complained you’d simply get another well deserved dousing.

We did eventually arrive at the dam. Or as I dubbed it, “Kalasin Motor Show”. With the emphasis on pick-ups. It was here that I rediscovered another interesting Thai trait. They don’t use swimwear. No, I don’t mean that they’re into nude bathing. In fact truth be known, they’re the prudiest lot out. I mean they simply swim in their clothes. You might say, but they were wet already from the trip getting there. Well I’ve seen the same thing on beaches in Phuket. No real call for a swimwear outlet here I’m afraid. Swimming lessons wouldn’t go astray though. Although that would put the inflated inner tube hire dude out of business.