For the first time ever, it will be a 3-day event starting with Squirt, a pool party at the Royal Orchid Sheraton by the famous Chao Phraya River, Slurp at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Ballroom and a third party at the uber chic Bed Supperclub where Squirt was held last year.

Held during Songkran, the Thai New Year - which officially runs from Apr 13 to 15 - is without a doubt the most celebrated festival. Observed throughout the country, it marks the beginning of a new astrological year and is highly anticipated by locals and travelers. Also known as the water festival - and for good reason - anyone who ventures out on the streets is likely to get a thorough dousing of water, for good luck and all in good fun as it is the hottest season of the year.

Headlining the first two parties are two incredible DJs - Tommy Marcus from Amsterdam at Squirt, Alex Taylor from Sydney at Slurp; and Colin Queen, Fred Jungo and Yves Larock at Bed Supperclub.

Regarded as one of the greatest DJs of the Parisian scene, Tommy Marcus started out in 1996 at Piaget's jewellery parties in Monaco and Paris, Love Parade (Berlin), as well as gay-pride parties in Bordeaux, Lyon, Confession, Finally (Elysee Montmartre) and The White Party (Queen) in Paris. In 2005 he began as the new resident of Juice Amsterdam Party and Mix Tea Dance Paris attended by some 1500 people every Sunday, done a performance with Amanda Wilson as well as two remixes of "This is your life." This year, he has played at three new year's eve parties in Paris and the Russian New year's Eve in Courchevel where he illustrated a fashion Defilee for Remy Martin; and will soon begin to work for Naughty, a series of parties in four European cities: Brussels Cologne Amsterdam Paris.

Aussie favourite Alex Taylor who has rocked dance floors across Australia for over ten years will command the decks at Slurp. With a versatile style and a keen ear for programming, Alex manages to seamlessly mix uplifting, chunky house with rocking, electrofied beats through to the smooth sounds of soulful deep house. In the past five years, Taylor has become a true global player, with regular DJ tours across Europe, Asia and the US. His most recent being in July/August this 2005; encompassing a set on the new terrace for "We Love Sundays" @ the world renowned Space Nightclub in Ibiza alongside Groove Armada and Nic Fanciulli, a Headlining set at the legendary Heaven and Discotec @ The End in London and playing at The Met in Bangkok and Atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur.

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Partygoers from the region are expected to converge in Bangkok for the parties over the weekend as Songkran has been a traditionally popular tourist season given the water festival's reputation for being one of the "gayest" of Thailand's festivals.

In addition, the parties - held from Apr 14 to 16 - will not only coincide with the long Songkran weekend from Apr 13-16 but also the long weekends enjoyed by Hong Kongers and Australians with public holidays falling on Apr 14 (Good Friday) and Apr 17 (Easter Monday).

Robert, a Bangkok resident said of Squirt.05: "(I) was running into people I'd met in other cities and the sense of Asian community was there. It was a beautiful thing. Philip from Singapore, whom I'd met in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, but lives in Hong Kong. Jacky from Taipei who lived in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, taking photos of group after group that he knew. Thai Kevin - who lives in Singapore - greeting people. Wee, an icon of Bangkok, seeing all his friends and acquaintances he made through all his travels…"

"It was so good catching up with people and watching people discover how bound together we are though we live in different cities," he added.

In Shanghai, China, Fridae understands that a local travel agent has already received more than 50 confirmed bookings for tickets and travel packages.

Raino of R&G Party organisers, one of the biggest parties in China, told Fridae: "The vibe about Squirt in the Shanghai community is really abuzz. Many of the partygoers are looking forward to visiting Bangkok and meeting friends from all over Asia they've got to know on Fridae and through other parties."

Other Fridae events in 2006 include Feelin' Good in Singapore (featuring Sydney DJ Kate Monroe) on Mar 26 and Nation.06 from 20-22 Oct in Phuket. For more info, please visit fridae.asia/events.

Advance Squirt passes/combos are available at US$65/50 until Apr 12 online. For more info, ticket purchase and hotel bookings, please visit fridae.asia/squirt.