Amari Pulse

Guest Blogger Matt Preston recounts his experiences of Songkran at Amari Boulevard Bangkok.

Songkran is a festival quite unlike any other. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bangkok during Songkran and was very keen to find out exactly what happens during this weekend long water festival.

I've been to Bangkok about 6 times and had heard great things about the Sukhumvit district, easily accessible and filled with restaurants, bars and nightlife. Thankfully the Amari Boulevard Bangkok is perfectly situated right in the heart of this district

I arrived on the first day of Songkran and saw people armed with super-soakers, water pistols and even small buckets. Thankfully they were all quite respectful and I remained dry as I entered the Amari Boulevard to check in. The quality of the Amari rooms is very universal, I knew what to expect before entering and wasn't disappointed. The room was well designed in a classic hotel styling and had all the modern amenities I needed.

After a good night's sleep and a good morning's breakfast, I was keen to venture out on to the streets and get involved in the Songkran festivities. Firstly I'd need to arm myself. I spared no expense and went for the large blue super soaker. No sooner had I filled my water gun from a nearby bucket, people were firing at me from all sides. The water fight had begun!

Families with children, teenagers and old people alike were all out to play. Within 10 minutes I was pretty much soaked from head to toe. You can't help but laugh all day, make new friends with strangers and feel like a child again. I can honestly say it was one of the best days in all of my travels.

After a long day of water madness in Bangkok it was back to the hotel to dry off and get some food. The "Season Thai" restaurant was an easy and inviting proposition. Spending a day at the longest water fight in history can make a man hungry and with a selection of delicious Thai dishes I soon regained my energy, ready for another day of Songkran craziness.

I had a great time exploring Sukhumvit and really enjoyed the vibe in this part of town. The BTS Skytrain station is right near the hotel and makes it very easy to get to a whole host of tourist highlights.

I'll be back to Sukhumvit in the future as I'll no doubt be in Bangkok again soon. My thanks to Amari for their hospitality and making Songkran a very memorable experience. Highly recommended if you're in Bangkok.

In the second part of our two part series, our guest blogger shares his first impressions of Bangkok. Read on to find out where he visited and what impressed him most about the Land of Smiles.

Bustling Bangkok
Arriving at my home for the next three days, the Amari Watergate Bangkok, I couldn’t help but think that this place was perfect to experience bustling Bangkok. From its relaxing vibe to hospitable staff, I understood why this was a popular hotel amongst travelers.

After freshening up and a quick light snack, we headed off to the Chao Phraya to embark on a night cruise of the country’s largest river. This was a first for me and an experience I would always remember. Bangkok at night is simply stunning.

We ended our first day with a blast! I wouldn’t leave this city without a night on the town and I was not disappointed. After hours of partying to the beats of international D.Js, we headed back to the hotel in a TukTuk and called it a night.

Embracing the Culture
The next morning, we experienced the rich vein of culture that Bangkok is known for. A tour of the beautiful temples was a great cultural experience. A quick tip for ladies here is to make sure you wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees or else you’ll have to borrow before entering the temple – not something I would recommend.

We then went to the Arts of the Kingdom Museum. Here they showcase the finest Thai artistry and crafts and certainly an experience not to miss. It’s a shame that you can’t take photos inside but nevertheless, a great place to visit.

Dinner on the second day was at Red Skies, a stunning roof top restaurant with panoramic views of Bangkok. The food was delicious and for us, the perfect way to end our journey.

Heading Home
After so many years, my dream of visiting Thailand has come true. I had the opportunity to experience different foods, traditions and a rich culture. I return home with great memories and the determination to return.

Discover the tantising flavours of Middle Eastern cuisine prepared by our award winning Master Chef Yasser Darwich.

Who is Master Chef Yasser?

Humble, passionate, and focused on his work, Chef Yasser has received several awards from the prestigious Emirates Culinary Guild of Dubai including: 

• Bronze Medal for New Arabian Cuisine
• Merit Award for Practical Cookery (Traditional Arabic Mezzeh)
• Middle East Junior Chef of the year Dubai 2008
• Silver Medal for Practical Cookery (Emirate Cuisine Meat Dishes)

Master Chef Yasser has demonstrated his talent at the famous Al QASR Hotel Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai where some of the most prestigious world’s dignities have had a chance to experience his traditional culinary talents presented in a modern style.  

Chef Yasser’s signature dishes include:

• Cold Mezze platter of Hummus, Tabouleh and Moutabbal
• Falafel served with Tahini sauce. 

Be sure to sample Chef Yasser’s delicious cooking next time you are in Bangkok.