The joy, laughter, partying, fun of Songkran is over.
Now what?
For many Thai’s, it means returning from their homes up country, back to their meaningless jobs in the cities.
Another long year away from family and friends, toiling away in mundane factory jobs or less for little pay.
Songkran offers the opportunities, albeit once a year, to have a few special days of complete happiness.
But now, reality kicks back in.
Many Thai people have an extremely difficult life.
Working long hours each day for barely enough pay to survive.
Many are forced to come work in the cities, as there may be no jobs where they live.
After rent, food and utilities, many only earn enough to send back 1,000 baht a month to help support their parents or maybe a child that is being cared for by their parents.
The child will grow up without them.
It is not a happy life and I have no idea how people can mentally cope with this year after year.
But that is the reality for a good percentage of the Thai population.
While Songkran offers a happy escape, it is always much too short.