Thailand’s favourite national celebration is just around the corner! Every year during Songkran (13-15 April), local flock back to their hometowns to visit their families, while foreigners fly into Bangkok to take part in the water-splashing festivities.
If you’re thinking of spending the weekend in Bangkok to celebrate Songkran, here are the best places to join in the fun.
Khao San Road
Cr: khaosodenglish.com
Every year, the entire Khao San Road turns into a huge, messy, water fight. Stalls selling bucketfuls of water, as well as hoses and water guns, pop up along the street overnight. Tourists spill out of the backpacker hostels to douse anyone and everyone with water. Don’t forget to grab some of that clay powder sold at the roadside stalls too, as it symbolises protection – though not from the revellers! Nobody shows mercy here, so be prepared for a wild party and expect to leave thoroughly soaked.
When the party winds down in the evening, dry off and swing by Chakrabongse Dining for a luxurious dinner by the riverside. Quiet and effortlessly elegant, the restaurant is one of Bangkok’s hidden gems, serving hearty, authentic, and delicious Thai food. Its menu, which changes every day, serves everything from familiar favourites like Tom Yum to more exotic dishes like Flower Omelette.
Find it at 396/1 Maha Rat Road, Tatian, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
Silom Road
Cr: blog.takemetour.com
If you prefer to hang with the locals, then head to the party happening at Silom Road. All 5 kilometres of the road becomes packed with locals pelting each other with water. Stalls selling food, refreshments and, of course, lots and lots of water stand both sides of the road. The festivities here are even bigger and more extravagant than at Khao San, especially when firetrucks roll up in the middle of the day to make sure everyone on the road gets a good splash. You can also stay high and dry up on the Skybridge, where you can watch the shenanigans without getting splashed.
Reward yourself for surviving the festivities at Brasserie 9, a gorgeous Parisian restaurant where you can eat your fill of indulgent French gourmet cuisine, guaranteed to hit the spot. Here, the food is made to perfection using only the best quality ingredients, each dish bursting with delicious richness and decadence.
Find it at 27 Soi Piphat, North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bang Rad, Bangkok, Thailand
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
Lumpini Park
Cr: passenger6a.in
For a calmer celebration rooted in the origins of the holiday, head down to Lumpini Park to take part in some traditional Songkran activities. On 12 April, the Phra Buddha Sihing statue, which is usually kept in the National Museum, will be brought on a parade. Buddhists can sprinkle scented water on the statue over the weekend, give alms, or receive blessings from elders. Non-Buddhists can also enjoy the traditional performances and browse the stalls selling speciality products from all over Bangkok.
After paying your respects, amble over to Erawan Tea Room to continue your peaceful and relaxing day. The charming restaurant, decked out in plush seats, serves impeccable Thai favourites we all know and love. Its wonderful location also gives you enchanting, sweeping panoramas of the city below. Taste the high life as you lounge in its cushy chairs and sip on tea, eat great food and enjoy the view.
Find it at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, 494 Rajdamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
Siam Paragon
Cr: bangkokundercover.com
Thailand’s April weather is swelteringly hot, so escape from those heat waves at the Siam Paragon mall. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see that the mall is organising a series of Songkran activities. An exhibition explains the history of Songkran, and you can also learn how to make traditional perfume and fold pandan leaf flowers. Best of all, there’ll be a food festival showcasing authentic Thai foods!
Lovers of Japanese seafood will be thrilled to hear that Nippon-Kai, a Japanese market-cum-restaurant, sits in the middle of Siam Paragon. Feast on an array of fresh, delicious premium sashimi and seafood, from classics to exotic seasonal options like fugu (pufferfish) and okoze (stonefish). You can also head to the market area to stock up on Japanese snacks.
Find it at G/F, Siam Paragon, 991/1 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
W Bangkok
Cr: bkasia-city.com
Dive into the hottest pool party in town at W Bangkok! The hotel is organising its Songkran Splash Away pool party for the 6th year running so you can celebrate Songkran in style. Expect the pool to be filled with extravagant floats, while the deck sports over-the-top decorations and top DJs spin tunes all day long. Don’t worry about not having enough booze either – there’s a booth selling drinks too. From 1-9pm on 13 April, you can let loose and dance, swim, and drink your worries away.
The pool party might end at 9pm, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue enjoying yourself. The glamorous WOOBAR, located in W Bangkok, lets you keep the good times going. Sip on some intoxicating speciality cocktails while munching on their delicious bar bites. There’ll also be a DJ here for you to dance all night long.
W Hotel 106, North Sathorn Rd, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
