Amari Pulse

Are you fortunate enough to be visiting Thailand during Songkran? Be sure to make the most of it as this is one of the most colourful and festive times of the year. To mark the occasion, there are an array of events to enjoy, from traditional merit making ceremonies and beauty pageants, to parades brimming with life and entertainment.

The highlight of this festival though has to be the fun-filled water fights - where thousands of residents and tourists take to the streets to drench each other in water, whether for cleansing and good luck, or just to enjoy a good time! And whilst this may seem a little off from your run-of-the-mill holiday, the Thai Lunar New Year celebrations is an experience you will not soon forget.

To ensure you are well prepared, we bring you our top 8 Songkran survival tips:

• Arm yourself - Head to your nearest shopping centre, supermarket, or convenience store and buy yourself a water gun. They come in all shapes and sizes, but we recommend getting something that can shoot long distances, and has a sizeable water reservoir.
• Invest in a disposable waterproof camera - Capture all your favourite moments - snapshots full with colour, so you can take them back home to show friends and family.
• Leave valuables at home - Leave your jewellery, cameras, and anything easily lost or damaged behind before participating in the festivities (more on that below).
• Carry zip lock bags - For those items which you need take with you, don't leave your room without a ziplock bag. Use to store necessities such as enough local currency to get you through the day, and of course essential travel documents. 
• Dress accordingly - Dress down, wear an old T-shirt and pair of shorts. If you don’t have these types of clothing, swing by a street vendor where you can pick some up for relatively cheap. Avoid white clothing as they tend to become see through when wet.
• Wear sunblock, lots of it! - And make sure its waterproof! We recommend at least SPF 50 to be safe.
• Use waterproof makeup - Should you decide wear makeup, use the waterproof kind to ensure you are looking your best throughout the celebrations.
• Avoid roads - Be careful and try to stay clear of the roads when possible. People often tend to enjoy themselves a little too much then take to the roads intoxicated, especially motorcyclists!

So there you have it, everything you could possibly need for the Songkran festivities. Get prepared and most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourself!

Sawasdee Pee Mai!

Guest blogger Ian Borromeo recounts his first experiences of Thailand. In this two part series, Ian shares his impressions of Phuket and Bangkok during his five day stay. 

Enjoy!

Touchdown Thailand!
I’m not quite sure when I first wanted to visit Thailand but I do know it was a desire from long ago. The people and culture appeared to be similar to mine - I’m of Asian descent - yet so unique and mysterious that I had always wanted to find out how special this country really is.

Last month I finally had my first opportunity to travel to Thailand. Although it would only be for a couple of days in Phuket and Bangkok, this was still a dream come true.

Impressions of Phuket
After hours of travelling, I found myself laying on a soft white bed relaxing to the sounds of the waves echoing into my senses at Amari Coral Beach Phuket. With elegantly decorated rooms in contemporary Thai style, this was truly paradise.

Having been up for more than 17 hours, I settled down for much needed rest and relaxation, excited by the prospect of island hopping the next day.

Island Hopping
Bright and early, we went to James Bond Island for a day of island hopping. This was pretty amazing. Swimming on a beach in absolute privacy was a genuine highlight. These islands were like nothing else I'd ever seen - crystal clear water, white sands and enormous limestone rocks jutting out of the water- such a dramatic landscape!

That evening we headed off to witness the world class performance of Thai artists at Siam Niramit which was indeed a brilliant show. It was like watching a Las Vegas production, with overwhelming lights, sounds and visual effects. The remarkable talents and artistry of each performer definitely leaves you wanting more.

Next Destination, Bangkok
After two memorable days in Phuket, we left for a much anticipated three days in Bangkok.

Find out more about Ian’s experience of Bangkok in our next post.

The French have Escargot, a dish of cooked land snails usually served as an appetizer, while Thai’s have Hoi Wan – commonly known as Sea Snails.

This delicious delicacy is served at street side seafood restaurants all around Thailand. It can be enjoyed grilled with spicy green seafood sauce or in a number of creative ways.

These succulent little morsels are sweet, tasty, and not too expensive at just 180 THB per kilo. Next time you’re having seafood in Thailand be sure to give them a try- don’t be scared they’re delectable!

What are some of your favourite Thai curious cuisines?