New Year celebrations are perhaps one of the most fun holidays the world over, more so in Thailand where the whole country takes out to the streets for three days in April for Songkran. Coinciding with similar celebrations in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, the Thai New Year has become the most popular and biggest water fight in the planet. This is no surprise since it takes place during the hottest month in the country, becoming an excuse for everyone to cool down under the hot summer sun.
One of Bangkok’s most unique buildings, the massive bronze statue of a three-headed elephant which houses the three-storey Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan was commissioned and built as a place to preserve the complex Thai heritage through visual arts and religion.
To Get Here. Take the BTS Skytrain to Bang Na station, then take a taxi or bus #25 or #511 straight to the entrance of the temple – only about 3 – 5 km from Bang Na station.
About 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, in Ratchaburi Province is Damnoen Saduak, Thailand's most famous floating market.
Around 150 years ago, during the reign of King Rama IV, the waterways of Damnoen Saduak were the center of economic activity and much of the transport was done by boat. Today, the floating market is a place bustling with activity, crowded with small boats loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables from surrounding orchards.
With different rooms designed by different artists, Reflections Rooms in Bangkok was such a cool and unique concept with a topnotch service. Stayed here for several days, switching rooms every two days. It’s unfortunate that they have since ceased operations.
One of the wonders of the Buddhist World, Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), is famed for its massive 46-meter long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf.
To Get Here. An easy 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace entrance, just follow the surrounding wall, the. pass the Amulet Market.
There’s no doubt Phi Phi’s Maya Bay is stunning, made popular by the Leonardo di Caprio movie in 1999. Glad to have seen it sans the crowd back in the day.
Cut off from the rest of Krabi by limestone cliffs, Railey is one of Thailand’s most sought-after beaches for sun-worshippers and rock climbers. Although is a peninsula, it is only accessible by boat.
Undeniably, the BACC has become one of my favorite places to visit everytime I am in Bangkok. So many contemporary, music, theatre, film, design and cultural and educational events take place in its exhibition and performance spaces.
To Get Here. Take the BTS to National Stadium Station, Exit 3.
On the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun, the porcelain-encrusted "Temple of Dawn" stands as one of Thailand’s most recognisable landmarks.
Happy Hour. Best enjoyed at Amorosa, from across the temple, as you watch Wat Arun light up at night.
Formerly, Siam Ocean World, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, is the largest aquarium in South East Asia, and an excellent place to visit if traveling with children.
To Get Here. Take the BTS to Siam Station. The aquarium is one ground lower of Siam Paragon’s food court.