The Chinese Grand Prix is at Shanghai this weekend, and also in Pattaya the start of the Songkran festival. Tuesday the 19th is the culmination of the collective madness called Songkran, during which people drink to excess, ride motorcycles and fall off when hit by buckets of iced dirty water, and are killed. This national sport kills around 600 participants each year.
So what has that got to do with the Chinese GP? Everything. The ‘festivities’ are such that traffic can come to a halt on the main day, but remember Songkran Sunday is not the main day – that is Tuesday April 19, called “Wan Lai”.
Shanghai
On Sunday 17, some businesses close their doors; however, Jameson’s Irish Pub is not one of those on this Sunday with Landlord Kim Fletcher advising me that they will be open. He also advises that the best way to approach the pub is from Sukhumvit or North Roads, wriggle past the Diana Gardens Estate, cross Third Road and come into Soi AR that way. If it doesn’t work, Kim Fletcher will be singing boy soprano.
The race will start at 2 p.m. Thai time on Sunday, but as always, check your own TV feed, as I would not like to be held responsible for you missing the start! I will allow myself a little longer travelling time, just in case, but the Grand Prix and the Sunday roasts together is too good to miss. Jameson’s is right next to Nova Park, if you are unsure.
