Summer is here and Songkran is around the corner so get your water guns ready because Bangkok is about to become an all-out water war zone! Wait, no water battles? For two consecutive years? Sadly, Songkran hasn't been the same since Rona came around and it seems like we have to wait yet another year to -- hopefully -- celebrate Songkran in the wet and wild way we're familiar with. But that doesn't mean your summer has to be a bummer or that Songkran has to be spent cooped up at home -- though we know it's certainly tempting since it's getting too dang hot outside. Here are some things you can do this Songkran summertime besides being sad that water fights aren't a thing again this year.
GO TO CHATUCHAK MARKET
Kamphaeng Phet Road
Chatuchak Weekend Market is a must-visit for tourists in Bangkok (or back when tourists were allowed in Bangkok) and is also a great place to find almost everything you need if you're a Bangkok resident. Since it was originally opened on weekends only, the crowds were pretty big whenever you went there and the combination of people in close proximity under the searing Bangkok sun isn't really that pleasant. Though Chatuchak has reopened and the number of people visiting has drastically gone down, they've recently announced that it's basically a weekend market no more as it'll be open for six days a week now.
ENJOY SOME FASHION COUTURE
Phloenchit Road
CentralEmbassy.com
If you watched Christina Aguilera's music video of her new rendition of her Disney classic, Reflection, you were probably mesmerised much like we were with her powder-blue dress reflected perfectly on the inky black water. That very same dress can be seen at Central Embassy right now as the mall is housing three haute couture collections from Dutch design house Iris Van Herpen. Not only are there dresses and accessories on display, the Dutch design house actually has a pop-up store which is their very first in Thailand so you can actually cop some dresses and accessories for yourself -- that is, if you've got the cash.
FLY SOME KITES AT ICONSIAM
Charoen Nakhon Road
IconSiam.com
Take the whole fam and fly some kites over at Iconsiam every Friday and Saturday. The Iconsiam Summer Kite Playground is running until Apr 18 at Iconsiam's River Park where the space has been opened for the public to fly their colourful kites. Don't have a kite of your own? You can buy one over there, and on top of that, they're also holding workshops so you can fly your kite. Customers who present a receipt of a minimum B300 spend can avail of the free kite-flying lesson. If you'd prefer to just sit back and relax, professional kite flyers will be putting on shows for you to enjoy. There are some unique kites to behold as well like an inflatable whale that just flies overhead menacingly as it searches for people to devour. Whales don't eat people, we know, but whales flying overhead freak us out a bit.
GET YOUR SURF-SKATE ON AT SIAM PARAGON
Rama I Road Visit
SiamParagon.co.th
Siam Paragon has turned their huge open space by the fountains into a sizeable skate park until May 9 so you've got some time to check it out for yourself. There's an admission fee of B100 to use the skatepark which is not too hefty. If you're a beginner, they're offering Surf-skate Workshop classes on the weekends for B300, which is once again a pretty good price to get you started on surf-skating. They also have a Board Clinic so you can customise and repair any types of skates. Try your hand -- or your board -- at the 16-metre wave ramp and see how you fare!
WATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
The Hive, Sukhumvit soi 49
bit.ly/31ETu8b
The Open Air Cinema Club has become a regular event over at The Hive Thonglor. With only a few good movies being released in theatres, it's good to know alternatives like this still exist. On top of that, it's not everyday you're able to go to an open-air theatre. April's movie is the iconic rom-com 500 Days of Summer which stars Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Tickets are priced at an easy B150, but if you're lucky enough to possess a Hive membership then you get to watch for free. The showing will be on Apr 23 which is a Friday, so it's a great way to kick the weekend off.
BINGE EAT AT EMQUARTIER AND EMPORIUM
Sukhumvit Road
EmQuartier.co.th
EmQuartier's "The Summerholic 2021" theme transforms the mall into a colourful spectacle aimed to raise awareness on conservation for the oceans. It also aims to preserve traditional Songkran traditions. Tie-dye representations of stingrays, octopuses and other marine life are scattered throughout the mall and there are also photo check-ins you can visit. On top of all that, EmQ also has a vast array of great meals from different restos so you can really get into your "summer bod". The summer beach market "Seesan Season Fit" at Quartier Avenue on the G Floor of EmQuartier will feature dishes from restaurants like Pad Thai Fai Talu and Jikko Coca among others. Additionally, summer dishes are being featured at Em Dining at both EmQuartier and Emporium where dishes from the likes of Nara Thai Cuisine, Misaoya Hiyashi, Cafe Chilli and Thong Sweet are being featured. It might take you a while to try all of what they have to offer. Then again, it's not like you don't have time this Songkran.
"TRAVEL" AND SHOP TO GET PRIZES AT CENTRAL MALLS
Central Pattana is holding a "Central Summer Plays" throughout all of its malls nationwide and it includes a number of things for you to enjoy and avail. Each mall has a unique attraction that you can check out and makes you feel as if you're actually "travelling" to a different place. For example, CentralWorld's Waikiki beach theme has a five-metre-high "wave" for you to surfboard on; CentralPlaza Westgate has "The Big Flower Show 2021" with a Nonthaburi-style traditional Songkran festival; and CentralFestival Pattaya is transforming to bring five of the world's renowned beaches right to the mall itself. Finally, The1 Members have a great opportunity to win prizes through shopping. Spending a certain amount of money can make you eligible to win cash vouchers, gadgets, accommodation packages or a three-day-two-night vacation package at Hyatt Regency Koh Samui.
CELEBRATE THE WATER FESTIVAL IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
Different parts of the country are holding their own Water Festivals which the Tourism Authority of Thailand has ensured will all be safe. From Apr 13-15, Bangkok as well as the provinces of Khon Kaen, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Lamphun will hold their own Water Festival to commemorate the Thai New Year.
