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.

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.

April 13 marks the start of the Thai New Year or Songkran Festival. If you’re planning to join the festivities, here are five things to remember.

1) Make Merit – Songkran is the time for giving alms and merit making. Even if you’re not Buddhist, these rituals are still a cultural experience not to be missed.

2) Use Waterproof Bags – If you’re out and about during Songkran, you are likely to be splashed. Be sure to protect your belongings by using waterproof bags.

3) Be Aware Of Your Surroundings - This may sound obvious but with all the watery chaos surrounding you, it can be hard to keep track of your surroundings. Remember to be aware and take extra care of your valuables.  

4) Use Public Transportation – Whether you’re at Khao San Road in Bangkok, Phuket’s Patong Beach or Beach Road in Pattaya, the traffic is bound be hectic. If you’re heading to one of the Songkran hotspots then public transport is the best way to travel.

5) Have Fun – Songkran is a celebration of the Thai New Year and a time to have fun. Enjoy the festivities and try wishing others a happy New Year or “Sawadee Pee Mai” as the locals say it.

Sawasdee Pee Mai from all of us at Amari.