MANDALAY water festival is considered the most wild in the country. This year residents have even more reason to celebrate – 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the city’s founding by King Mindon.

Myanmar celebrities also seem to be getting in on the act. Most of the stars that we quizzed about their Thingyan plans said they would be heading to the former royal capital this year. Some said they would be taking it easy, spending time with their family or entering a meditation centre.

Chit Thu Wai
I will be at the MCDC [Mandalay City Development Committee] pandal. I don’t really get that excited about water festival, to be honest. When I was a kid, we would eat home-made snacks and also the snacks offered to us by our neighbours and then we would watch the passers-by who were enjoying the festival. That’s all.

Sandi Myint Lwin
I will be at the MCDC pandal this year. I nearly always sing during Thingyan, each year, but I don’t have any special feeling about the festival. I usually try to stay young and look young at Thingyan, though.

R Zarni
I will be in Mandalay together with Metal Zone Band. Thingyan is different when you are an adult – there is something special about celebrating as a child, unseen and unknown. But I’m happy that I’ll be in my own community this year.

Many celebrities will be heading to Mandalay (above) for this year’s water festival.

Chan Chan
I will be at the Premier Stage in Mandalay. This will be my first time in Mandalay for the Thingyan festival. In previous years I would eat home-made snacks and go around the town with my family – last year was the first time I have ever been on a pandal, I was on the Alpine pandal. The previous year’s Thingyan was a very happy one for me because that was when I met my boyfriend.

K Mi Ko
I will be at the Yadanabon pandal in Mandalay this year. Every year I dance at Thingyan but when I was young, I would throw water from a hut built on the roadside.

Pho Kyaw
I might go to Mandalay this year, that’s what I have done in previous years. Actually, I don’t like Thingyan very much but it is a good chance for me to meet with my fans.

Christine
I will be in Mandalay this Thingyan, you will find me at the Pyayti Oo pandal. When I was younger I would go around in a car but now I usually enjoy myself at a pandal.

Palei Win
I will be in Mandalay. Thingyan is normally a happy time for me. These days I sing and throw water but as a child I didn’t go around so much. It makes me happy to see people enjoying themselves. You can find me singing on the Paw Paw Pah Pah Thingyan DVD.

Waing Su Khaing Thein
I think I will be in Mandalay this year. Just hearing the word “Thingyan” makes me happy!

Thazin
I will be at the Mandalay 78 pandal. The last two years I have spent water festival at Lashio. I don’t like going around in a car, I’m only interested in throwing water at people. When I was a young girl, listening to Thingyan songs made my heart beat faster.

May Sabei Nyo
Even before the start of Thingyan I am already feeling happy. This year I might sing at a pandal in Mandalay and if that does not materialise, I might spend the time at a pandal on Inya Road [in Yangon].

Zeya
I will be constructing a pandal with my friends in Yangon. You can find me at the Underground pandal on Inya Road. Everyone enjoys Thingyan and I am no exception but I’m more excited this year because we are organising a pandal.

Rebecca Win
When I was young, most of my Thingyan holiday would be spent at a camp organised by my church. I never threw water or went around the town in a car.

Moe Hay Ko
I will be going on a trip abroad together with my family during the Thingyan holiday. I don’t really enjoy Thingyan much anymore. Since I’ve become an adult, I have rarely gone out during the festival because I’m worried about my skin getting too dark.

Phyo Ngwe Soe
I’m organising a pandal on Inya Road this year with Beauty & I fashion shop. When I was young I would go around with a bunch of friends. But unfortunately there was never any Thingyan romance!

Han Htun
I am not sure where I will be this year. I might be singing but, if not, I will go home to Taunggyi.

Khin Phone
I will be in Taunggyi this year. Thingyan, for me, means happiness. When I was young I would throw water and then later I would enter a meditation centre.

Moe Yu San
I always feel so excited during Thingyan, maybe because when I was young I never went around during the festival. After I became a singer I began to stay at the pandals. Last year I was at the combined EME and Yangon Airways pandal but this year I’m still not sure where I’ll be.

Phway Phway
I will definitely stay at home this Thingyan, I’m not going out anywhere! I don’t want to throw water at any of the pandals. Last year I went to a meditation centre but in previous years I would go to a pandal. Now there are too many drunk people, that’s why I don’t like it much anymore.

May Ka Byar
I will be spending time with my little daughter this year. I don’t want to throw water and I don’t want to be splashed by anyone! I might also go to a meditation centre.