For a more spiritual experience, a visit to the city’s ancient temples such as Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Saket will showcase the festival’s elegant traditions. With five hotels in Bangkok in three distinct categories, Centara provides the perfect place to stay and play.
Visit Chiang Mai, the spiritual home of Songkran
Culture seekers can discover the spiritual traditions of Songkran in Chiang Mai, the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom
The northern city of Chiang Mai is considered the spiritual home of Songkran. Famously, the festivities here can be wetter, wilder and last longer than in other parts of the kingdom. Culture seekers can wake up early and give alms to Buddhist monks as they walk through the streets at dawn.
Then, as the temperatures rise, Tha Pae Gate in the old city sets the stage for the city’s most colourful celebrations, with the streets lined with food stalls and stage performances. Centara Riverside Chiang Mai Hotel is nestled on the banks of the Ping River.
Ring in Thai New Year in Pattaya, Thailand’s party capital
Pattaya is a 24-hour party town with an almost endless array of bars, clubs and upbeat attractions. This makes it an exhilarating destination for fun-loving couples and friends to soak up the joy of Songkran. Head to Beach Road, which is closed to traffic and transforms into one long outdoor party zone, with foam machines and an endless deluge of water from high powered hoses!
For families, Pattaya’s world-class water parks let little ones make a splash. Centara has eight properties in Pattaya, from affordable lifestyle hotels to themed water park resorts
Family-friendly festivities in Phuket
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is a fun-filled resort where youngsters can enjoy the thrill of a water park
For parents, Phuket is a dream destination to introduce their children to the magic of Songkran. The island’s blissful beaches come to life with vibrant parties and live music, and many resorts stage their own family-friendly activities.
Wat Chalong, Phuket’s most prominent Buddhist temple, is an exquisite setting to discover the festival’s spiritual aspects, and a trip to the hilltop Big Buddha statue promises breath-taking views of the island and the endless Andaman Sea. Centara has seven hotels and resorts in Phuket across a wide range of categories.
