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!

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.

Looking for that one of a kind gift to commemorate your holiday in Bangkok? You’re in luck – because we did all the hard work and scoured the never ending mélange of markets in Thailand’s capital city to bring you this list of cool stuff to take home. 

Dress Socks

OK, we know this list is supposed to be ‘cool’ stuff – but you really can’t underestimate the importance of dress socks. We’ve found that the designer department store brands quickly grow holes – so why not stock up for this war of attrition? Reasonably priced at around 40 THB per pair – you can score loads for cheap.

Random Art

Whether you’re a connoisseur of the finer things in life or someone with simpler tastes – the Bangkok street art scene has something for you. Want a commissioned painting of Barak Obama shaking hands with Elvis or a subtle hand printed beer Singha placemat? You can find them in Bangkok. Be sure to pick up a tuk tuk sculpture constructed entirely of recycled beer cans – a gift that is sure to please.    

Thai Silk Ties

Again, ties don’t exactly strike one as ‘cool’ – but what’s cooler than a bright pink elephant pattern silk tie? Merchants selling this essential masculine accessory abound and comparatively speaking they are cheap – plus most come with matching cuff links and handkerchief – with elephant print of course.   

Wooden Frog Stick

You can’t miss these vocal contraptions and their purveyors around various tourist areas of Bangkok. Look for the person dressed in traditional hill tribe garb and listen for a high-pitched croak. Arguably, the most annoying device ever conceived – these wooden frogs bellow when stroked with a stick. Take one home and show your noisy neighbours who the boss really is.  

Virgin Organic Coconut Oil 

Take this soothing ointment back to your homeland and amaze your friends with its healthful properties. The latest craze among Thai people – this beneficial oil is good for hair and skin, helps relieve stress, increases immunity, and could perhaps hold the secrets to world peace. Well, not really – but it is great stuff and will surely make your friends jealous.   

This list is by no means exhaustive or sensible – but it is a good start for shoppers that want to get the most out of Bangkok. Stay tuned for part two.