A First Timer's Tale of SONGKRAN in Thailand

In this episode, we experience the world's famous festival in Bangkok -- SONGKRAN! There's no better way to experience Songkran but as a first timer. Join me as we explore Bangkok on the day of Songkran that will leave you dreaming to experiencing Songkran 2025 in April.
While Songkran is an activity that everyone should witness and be part of, there's more to Thailand than just this activity. We explored Bangkok and the surrounding spots and dedicated this episode for the things to do and places to visit while in Bangkok.
Just in case you don’t know, you can tour around Bangkok via river cruise for only 150 baht. First, we decided to take a quick stop at China Town & Wat Arun. China Town is where you can find the best foods in town, Chinese food at that, as well as a variety of products at a bargain. Wat Arun, on the other hand, is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok, famous for its unique characteristics.
So, we decided to have our next stop at ICONSIAM. This year, the shopping center spends 60 million baht to make everyone’s celebration of Songkran with them the best as it could be.
SONGKRAN BOOSTS THAILAND'S TOURISM
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Songkran is expected to generate 24.4 billion baht during the five-day holiday, drawing 510,000 foreign travelers and 4.29 million domestic trips. It has indeed become a tourism highlight for this country that’s in neck-to-neck competition with China, Malaysia, and Japan in terms of tourism in Asia.
Thailand, like any other tourism-heavy economy, has just recovered from the disasters of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is only the second year Thailand is celebrating Songkran after the pandemic so their tourism department is serious in making this year the biggest and brightest Songkran ever!
With that, the Kingdom decided to make Songkran 2024 a 21-day celebration, the longest Songkran festival ever in the history of Thailand. Celebrations is happening not only in Bangkok but nationwide with designated public celebration in Thailand’s major cities. It started in Chiang Mai from April 1-15, and capping it up in Chon Buri from April 19-21.
But what really is Songkran?
The word "Songkran" comes from the Sanskrit word, 'saṃkrānti,' which literally means "astrological passage", meaning transformation or change. Songkran relates to a lot of people, definitely. Being the ‘New Year’ for the Thai, it signifies a new life or a new beginning. For someone who has been to a lot of changes recently, it's only apt to celebrate Songkran.
Songkran celebration in ICONSIAM is quite posh but merry, given the branding of the mall. To say we enjoyed it is an understatement. We left the mall with big smiles on our faces. On the way to our next stop, Asiatique, the locals and tourists on the road are all unapologetic in giving everyone a bath, not just sprinkles, if not water fights, using guns and buckets alike.
The next day, I went solo and checked out the celebration at Central World. Celebration here gives a different vibe as locals and tourists engaged in water fights.
I failed to check the celebration at Khao San road, which is a home for backpackers, and we were kinda hesitant to go for safety reasons as Khao San is popular for its bars, hence, the number of drunk individuals in the area.
Meanwhile, due to a conflict in schedule, I also failed to check the celebration at Silom, which is popular for the LGBTQIA community, but as one of the local friends here mentioned, it was raining hot shirtless men at Silom.
These two locations we failed to visit this year will definitely be the priorities next year. Yup, I made a pact with new friends from around the world that we’re going back for Songkran 2025. Tara? As a Songkran virgin, this experience is definitely for the books! Might as I don’t wanna bore you with facts, here are a few things that you must know about Songkran.
Celebrated as the Thai New Year's national holiday, Songkran takes place every 13th of April but the holiday period extends until 15th of the month. In 2018, the festival is extended to seven days, from April 9 to 16, which aims to give way for its citizens to travel home for the holiday celebration with their family.
Songkran was the official New Year until 1888, when it was switched to a fixed date of April 1. Then in 1940, this date was shifted to January 1.
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[@jessdamasco4249]

Nice nman

[@elyvalendez]

Thank you, Jess! :)

[@williamwork]

Let's gooo!

[@elyvalendez]

Salamuchie, idol! :)

[@maritessmagabang6011]

Love the place..thank you for sharing po❤

[@elyvalendez]

Thank you, Tess! As always. :)

[@jessdamasco4249]

Ganda nman ni madam ely

[@elyvalendez]

Kailangan! Hahaha. Thanks, Jess! :)

[@eliseovalendez]

Thanks for watching, everyone! :)

[@roskie75]

❤❤❤ ganda nmn po jan

[@elyvalendez]

Aww, thanks! I try to keep it pretty for the camera, haha.

[@roskie75]

@@elyvalendez ❤️❤️❤️

[@PCMTVonline]

Songkran seems fun! All the best on your trips, Ely! Thanks for bringing us to different places. :)

[@elyvalendez]

Thanks!