Travel Guide: Thailand’s New Year festivities – Songkran 2021

Songkran is a time to reunite and reconnect with loved ones.  These resorts across Thailand from Phuket, Khao Lak, Koh Chang, Sriracha, Hua Hin to Khao Yai, will be offering Songkran experiences for families, couples, and friends. 

Phuket is a perfect destination for travelers seeking a convenient vacation by the sea. 

Photographers and keen Instagrammers should consider Avista Grande Phuket Karon – MGallery, with its blend of local culture and Sino-Portuguese design. On April 13, 2021, guests can join the Songkran Fun Day with local street food stations, games, complimentary ice-cream, Songkran-themed cuisine, and live entertainment. 

Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort 

From April 10 to 15, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort will have various cultural activities on the beach such as the Thai Cultural Parade, Thai Water Boxing, Sand Pagoda competition, Thai Traditional Dancing, and a Tug of War competition in the pool. Guests can also taste the southern summer dish, ‘Khao-Chae’ – cooked rice soaked in iced water.  BBQ Buffet on the beach will be available from April 10 to April 15, every night. Songkran Brunch will be served on April 11 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Grand Mercure Phuket Patong is celebrating Songkran with a special southern inspired menu, Lulla Mesa Papern, which features dishes such as Kao-Chae, Mango and Thai Ice Cream. 

Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai has a wide range of kids activities at ‘Reimagine Songkran Wet & Dry Moments’ event. Families will receive an Activities Passport upon arrival to discover all the exciting spots around the resort whilst collecting stamps to redeem surprising souvenirs. At My Ozone Animal Club, kids will have fun building sandcastles, taking photos with horses, and feeding animals. Activities at the swimming pool area include a DJ by the pool and more. 

Families who prefer the sand and sea should consider a trip to Krabi.

The luxurious Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort presents a list of events including a Songkran long drum parade at the lobby, a monk prayer followed by Rod-Naam-Dum-Hua ceremony at the Spa Garden, a snorkel experience at Ya Wa Sam island, and a Songkran brunch at Maya Restaurant.  The 54-square meter family room.  Families who book for three nights will also benefit from a complimentary sunset cruise as well as unlimited activities including crystal kayaking, paddle boarding and bike rental.  The offer also includes unlimited green-fees and flexible check-in & check-out.

The vibrant coastal town of Pattaya is entering a transformation, playing host to trendy beach clubs, cool events, and energizing water sports. 

From the 12th to 15th of April 2021, Mövenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya is hosting a cultural Songkran Fun Fest inspired by the well-known Temple Fairs from 5:30pm-10pm at the resort’s beach lawn. The fair will feature an array of tasty offerings from Thai street food, local beverages, and traditional desserts, as well as local temple fair-inspired activities such as Thai dancing, fire shows, and a Ferris wheel. The entrance fee is THB 500 per adult and THB 100 for children, which is then redeemable as a credit for all food offerings and game stations.

Further down the coast, the beautiful seaside town of Sriracha offers the ultimate balance between tranquility and liveliness. 

The dual-location hotel, Novotel Marina Sriracha & Koh Si Chang offers guests an opportunity to enjoy the ocean views of Sriracha from the mainland as well as the island paradise retreat on Koh Si Chang with a collection of villas. Guests will be invited to enjoy the Thai Songkran dessert corner and extensive culinary offerings on the mainland, while sandcastle building, traditional Thai toys corner and Thai costume hire will be offered on Koh Si Chang.

Hua Hin has always been a favorite destination for those who want to conveniently escape from Bangkok for some serenity by the beach. 

A playful escape awaits at SO Sofitel Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s trendiest destinations. On the evening of April 13, 2021, the resort will showcase a ‘boat-to-table experience’ featuring a live seafood market, coined ‘Fisherman at SO’. On the 17th of April 2021, the resort will host a SO Beach Session for those looking to continue Songkran celebrations well into the weekend.

Guests can choose to celebrate a traditional Songkran at Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin with cultural activities including the sprinkling of water on Buddha statues, early morning almsgiving and merit-making, a Long Drum parade, sandcastle building, and paper cutting.  A special Songkran menu will also be offered with Kaow Chae and locally inspired cocktails, as well as an international buffet dinner at THB 1,170 nett per person.

One of the prettiest islands of Thailand can be found off the Kingdom’s eastern tip – Koh Chang. Tucked in the island’s pristine Bailand Bay, Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway offers guests an unmatched opportunity to enjoy the island’s natural surroundings with a private beach enclosed by lush green rainforests. Adventurers can avail the Superior Songkran Package which includes a one-night stay in a Superior room with breakfast, along with a 60-minute Thai massage and Thai set dinner for two guests.

Embrace the island life with a trip to Koh Samui.  Guests of ibis Samui Bophut can spend their day’s beach hopping to explore hidden gems around the island or lounge by the swimming pool overlooking a gorgeous stretch of Bophut beach and the Gulf of Thailand. Activities at the hotel include table tennis, kayaking and paddle boarding, as well as the traditional sprinkling of water on the Buddha statue for Songkran. Days of exploration give way to great conversation over barbecue dinners at the beachfront restaurant. The Gastronomy Package is available from just THB 1,012++ and includes one-night accommodation in a standard room with breakfast and a set barbecue dinner for two.

Sometimes the best Songkran can be found on your doorstep. Satiate your culinary cravings with a foodie package, or return to a state of blissful equilibrium on a wellness retreat. 

For a staycation where guests get to ‘Live the French Way,’ Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit offers convenient sky-bridge access to Asoke BTS and Sukhumvit MRT stations. The hotel is offering a double upgrade from luxury rooms to the luxury Club Millésime room with all lounge benefits such as afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks. Daily breakfast for two guests is also included as well as a 1,000THB credit for food and beverages, a spa voucher for a 30-minute couple’s treatment, unlimited ice-cream for two at Liquid Pool Bar, and flexible check-in and check-out for guests to enjoy a relaxed 24 hour experience.

Design enthusiasts are all familiar with the renowned Hotel Muse Bangkok Langsuan – MGallery, an address which fuses Eastern and Western culture to take guests on a journey back to the 1920’s.

The chic property is inviting locals to experience a truly memorable staycation with their ‘Songkran Festival’ offer from 2,750 THB++ which includes breakfast, and early check-in and late check-out. Guests who book the package will also benefit from a 1,000THB credit which can be redeemed at any of the restaurants and bars, and an hour of free-flow cocktails or mocktails at the famous Speakeasy rooftop bar.

The vibrant SO/ Bangkok is also joining the party! Exclusively for guests who stay over the month of Songkran, SO/ Bangkok is offering a complimentary breakfast for two to start off the day and three glasses of HI-SO Rooftop Bar’s signature cocktails per person to end the night. SO/ Bangkok is one of the most audacious hotels in Bangkok with designers drawing inspiration from Feng Shui philosophy to re-interpret the essence of water, earth, wood, metal, and fire. These elements are brought to life in the hotel’s stylish restaurants, energetic bars and spacious rooms and suites.

At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, families can enjoy a multitude of offerings such as an infinity pool, kid’s club and the popular restaurant, Food Exchange, which offers everything from fresh seafood to a daily selection of Thai and international food. The hotel’s ‘Summer Fun in the City’ offer allows families to book a city vacation from 2,500THB with a 1,000THB credit which can be redeemed at the restaurants and rooftop bar, as well as for room service.

Those seeking some shopping therapy can benefit from a free upgrade at Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam over Songkran, with a special 20% discount at the hotel’s restaurants and bars. The hotel is located in the heart of the fashion district with convenient access to Central World Shopping Centre, Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Square and MBK. The ‘View Rooftop Bar’ is a popular hangout for those seeking a trendy location to unwind with a fantastic outlook over the Bangkok skyline.

Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is celebrating Songkran with a special staycation offer which includes breakfast for the whole family, a 15% discount on all spa treatments and a complimentary upgrade to the next room category. Guests can also benefit from an early check-in at 10am and a late check-out at 5pm so they can make the most of their inner city staycation. Conveniently located next to the Siam BTS interchange, the hotel is a great base to explore the city.

At Pullman Bangkok King Power, guests can take advantage of early check-in at 8am, late check-out at 6pm and breakfast included each day, including on the day of arrival. Offering trendsetting bars and restaurants throughout the hotel and Bangkok’s largest infinity pool, the hotel offers plenty of leisure offerings for an inner-city staycation.