We are explorers who make your wanderlust dreams come true. We help travelers find their experiences in ways that are fun and affordable, convenient and hassle-free.
As the hottest season approaches in Thailand, you see the entire country go bananas by celebrating in overly friendly water fights and street parties that last for 3 days. It’s called Songkran, the Thai New Year.
During Songkran most businesses and shops shut down completely, leaving big shopping malls and local bars open to accommodate the festive goers. Half of Bangkok’s residents travel back to their hometowns for family reunions, while the other half stays in Bangkok to join the fun.
What is Songkran?
Traditionally, Thais celebrate Thai New Year by gently pouring water on elders’ hands, visiting temples, and attending family reunions. On the first day of Songkran, Thais usually perform the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual. During the ritual, the younger generation would pour fragrant water into the elders’ palms as a gesture of humility while asking for blessing and forgiveness. Another important religious ritual during Songkran is ‘Bathing the Buddha,’ in which people pour fragrant water over Buddha statues at the temple, at home or on the streets.
The date of Songkran is from April 13th to 15th every year in Bangkok in keeping with the Buddhist/Hindu solar calendar. Depending on where you are in the country, the dates of festivities may vary.
Water Symbol
The traditional water pouring is meant as a symbol of washing away sins. Traditionally, Thais would politely pour a bowl of water on family members and their close friends. Somewhere along the way, a bowl became a bucket, and a garden hose became a water gun and now we have fire trucks! Songkran has since taken a more festive note turning the city into a giant water fight.
The Hot Spots in Bangkok
There are a few hot spots in Bangkok for celebrating Songkran, but the two places that attract the most crowd are Silom and Khao San Road.
Silom Road
Silom Road attracts the largest and wildest crowd in Bangkok. The entire 3 mile (5 km) length of Silom road is packed with young Thais carrying anything that can spray water. The city sets up automatic spraying machines and giant barrels of water to aid the celebration. The best, and the worst, part is that everyone’s water temperature is different. If you’re carrying water guns with your friends be prepared to experience water from all directions from lukewarm to icy cold! I had water sprayed and poured on me from all directions, and I am definitely grateful that there wasn’t any dirty water thrown on me!
If you’re not into getting soaking wet, but prefer watching other people getting soaked, you can enjoy the party and witness the full extent of the water fight on the BTS sky walk that runs above the street. BTS is the city’s sky train transportation system. If you’re standing at the right spot on the BTS sky walk, you can spot the fire trucks ambush people with their incredibly powerful water hoses. Usually, the crowd is really into it as the heat can reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in the sun.
Khao San Road
If you like the idea of getting soaking wet from head to toe in an overly populated crowd, you should definitely head to Khao San Road. You really don’t even need to get close to get wet as the surrounding streets are packed with people spraying and pouring water on you along the way.
At both Silom and Khao San Road, there are rows of stalls and booth selling water guns, waterproof bags for your valuables, food, drinks, alcohol and, of course, water for refilling your water guns.
Local Bars
It’s not just wet on the streets; it’s also wet in the bars. During the 3 days of celebration, I’ve experienced the most friendly and polite water fight in my life. Before they pour buckets of water on you (usually ice water), they would politely said “Ko Thoot Na Ka/Krab” with a bow. It means “excuse me/apology” in English. When was the last time someone said sorry to you before dumping a bucket of water on you?
So, here I was sitting down and drinking my Singha beer while people pouring buckets of water on me, simultaneously. Overall, Songkran is an amazing cultural experience.
See the original post here on Thaithentic Now Blog!
Though the dates do sometimes change due to the Buddhist holiday in July.
Planning to participate in one Full Moon Party in 2015? Check out our tours!
- Full Moon Party Experience 16 Days (Trip Notes)
- Full Moon Party Experience 9 Days (Trip Notes)
Starting November, we are doing a series of videos interviewing travelers! In this video, we got a chance to be in a pool with a couple of #koonapatravelers. Check out the full video on our Facebook page on Monday November 3rd!
If you are brave enough to do a CLIFF JUMP, let us take you on our adventures! #flashbackfriday #phiphi #thailand #backpacking #tour #cliffjump #koonapatraveler
For our first TBT , we are throwing it back to the summer when we hiked to the top of Koh Phi Phi - a destination included in our 16 Days. I mean, can you see how clear our view is?
While Thai Food needs little introduction, these popular dishes are must-try while you visit Thailand. This list consists of my top 5 favourite Thai dishes (I call them flawless, because... 'we are what we eat', and if I eat flawless food, I could, too, be flawless), and it spans from backpackers' favourites to Thai classics.
1. Tom Yum Goon
A bold, refreshing blend of fragrant lemongrass, chilli, galangal, lime leaves, shallots, lime juice and fish sauce. Tom Yum is a versatile dish that can fit within virtually any meal - its invigorating sour-spicy-hot taste draws the attention of all races on earth.
2. Pad Thai (Thai-style Fried Noodles)
From London to Tokyo to Khao San Road, this is the default international Thai dish. Dropped in a searing hot wok, fistfuls of small, thin noodles do a steamy minute-long dance alongside crunchy bean sprouts, spring onions and egg, before disembarking for the nearest plate.
3. Som Tam (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)
Hailing from the Northeast, this outlandish dish is both great divider - some can't get enough of its bite, some can't handle it - and greatly distinctive. Garlic, chillies, green beans, cherry tomatoes and shredded raw papaya get dramatically pulverized in a pestle and mortar, so releasing a rounded sweet-sour-spicy flavour that is not easily forgotten.
4. Pak Boon Fai Daeng (Sir-fried Morning Glory)
The leafy plant with hollow green stems and thin fragile leaves forms the main component of this super easy favourite. Cloves of garlic and birds eye chillies join it in a wok alongside oyster sauce, fish sauce, and fermented bean. A few lazy stirs, and it's done!
5. Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)
Another all-time favourite dish, served alongside a bowl of rice. Green curry paste and coconut milk forms the creamy base. Morsels of fresh chicken, cherry-sized eggplants, bamboos hoots, springs of coriander and generous handfuls of sweet basil add body to this seminal curry.
If these food doesn't persuade you to stop eating whatever you are eating over there come to Thailand, think again.
We are not trying to scare you or anything. These steps are merely a train of thought. Packing is really not that hard! It's only 100 steps...
Pack your things.
Take as little as possible.
Pack only the essentials. If you really need something, chances are, you can buy it overseas.
Make a checklist of every item you plan to take you trip (tailor your list to suit your travels).
Pick two: travel heavy, happy, and cheap.
Decide how much you want to bring, and try to fit them into one luggage and one carry-on.
Buy a small/medium backpack. So you won't be tempted to overpack.
Plan your outfits ahead of time to avoid over-packing.
Don't forget 'commonly forgotten' items (include toothbrush/toothpaste, socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat PJs, razor, deodorant, and etc.) But even if you forget them, you can buy similar products in 7-11s (check out #71).
Learn about the destinations' weather and environments to do #4 and #8.
Pack empty plastic bags for dirty items.
Buy travel-size containers for your travel-size toothpaste, face wash, and everything else that involve with cleaning yourself.
Separate liquids from rest of your carry-on and luggage.
Zip-lock bags are good for waterproof and it prevents leakage.
Find out which items not to bring on a plane.
Check the liquid volume restriction for carry-ons (that's 3 oz., or 85 grams, or 88.72 ml).
Put heavy items at the bottom of your bag.
Keep your most important items with you at all times.
Be space conserving. Use every part of your suitcase by wedging errant socks and underwear into gaps whenever possible.
Pack your clothes by rolling them (AKA the amazing "roll" technique).
Be neat. It will save a lot of space in your bags.
Don't throw your clothes in your bags, that will take up more spaces than they need to.
Bring snacks. Just because.
Bring entertainment, too. Tablets are probably the best (booking and watching movies on long plane/boat/bus rides).
Always have 10-20% of empty space in your bag for souvenirs, or items that will be bought while you're traveling.
Don't forget your medications, if you are on any!
Store your medications in your carry-on, not your check-in baggage.
Pack copies of all prescriptions, if you have any. Take pictures and store them on your tablet.
Make a photocopy of your passport and store it separately from the original (again, take pictures and save on tablet too).
Have a realization that you really don't need a lot when you travel.
Dont pack for the worst-case scenario. Pack for the best-case scenario.
Bring layers, rather than a heavy coat.
Bring some cash.
Put your money sources in different areas of your bags. (You can refer to this post for explanations).
Bring currencies such as American dollars, because they are useful and easily exchangeable everywhere.
Bring currencies of the country you are visiting.
Bring money belt.
Find out the embassy of your country's information and put them on a USB drive, along with other information you may need.
Pack that USB drive with you.
Pack some basic first-aid items such as bandages and etc.
Pack sunscreen lotions and aloe gel if you're going to a hot place.
Spread your shoes on the floor, and then pick two to bring with you (wear one of them).
Repeat step 42 for hats and bathing suits.
Pack light.
Pack light.
Pack light.
Remember that you will ALWAYS want to buy clothing from various countries, so again, pack less than you think you'll need.
Pack a small notebook (use as a journal, note attractions other people have mentioned, keep track of finances, flight reservation 3s because tablets and phones die).
Bring a lock to lock up valuables at hostels, or/and for your bag.
If you lock up your check-in luggage with a lock, by aware that it might be broken for random airport security check (but they are less likely to pick your bag for random checks if it's locked).
Don't alway use a lock for your check-in luggage, because it would send a signal to the locals that you have valuables in it.
Bring a bottle of water for long train/flight/boat rides.
Pack a refillable water bottle if you'd like. Note that tab water isn't drinkable in SE Asia.
If your bags are overweight. Wear the weight.
Your bags should not be overweight...
Overweight bags are only okay for returning flights/train rides.
"But what about X?" No, because you can buy X!
Pack your electronics and electronics accessories (phone, tablet, chargers, iPod, camera, and etc..).
You probably don't want to pack your laptop, because it's heavy and you will be worrying about getting it stolen during your entire trip.
Numbers of clothes recommendation: 1 pair of jeans, 1-2 pairs of shorts, 1-2 bathing suits, 4-6 T-shirts, 1 pair of flip-flops, 1 pair of sneakers, 1 long-sleeve Tshirt, 4-6 pairs of socks, 4-6 pairs of underwears, 1 towel, 1 hat, and 1 outfit for nice dinner.
Whether it's three weeks or three months of traveling, you should pack similar.
To explain #61, you can always find laundry places.
Now, take a break from packing if you would like. (or this post, because it's really long.. but please come back)
If you have trouble deciding what clothes to bring, you can spread them out on the bed or floor and just pick them out.
You can also line up your clothes nicely, and take a picture like the one above before putting them all in your bag.
Instagram or Facebook this picture. Now, you are already traveling with style before your trip starts! (hashtag koonapatraveler if you can :P)
There is a saying that "the measure of a good traveler is how light he or she travels."
Go to a store and purchase any travel-size containers or travel-size toiletries that you need.
You can always squeeze out toothpaste or face wash from its original bottle, and into your new travel-size containers to save money, instead of getting travel-size everything.
Items that can be in travel-size: shampoo, body wash, face wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, antibacterial hand sanitizer, sunscreen, insect repellent, cologne/perfume, and etc.
Items that may be useful in certain circumstances: mild sedative or other sleep aid, medicine to prevent certain sickness, latex condoms, motion sickness medicine, Advil or similar pain relief drug, and etc.
Items that are important but can be purchased at 7-11's: insect repellent, sunscreen with UV protection, antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, and etc.
Items that are important but it depends how careful you travel: antidiarrheal medication, malaria medicines, and other medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Check if the destinations you are going to use a different type of electronic plug.
Pack a power (or electronic plug) converter if you need to.
Remind yourself again that you never need as much as you think.
It's important to know that skin products sold in SE Asia will be "whitening" and "brightening". So if you want to keep that tan you've been working on, try to bring your own from home if possible.
Pack your jewelry (depending on the type of trip you'll be taking, do you need jewelry? If so, how much jewelry do you need?).
Wear your jewelry enroute to make sure that they won't get lost or stolen.
Don't wear excessive jewelry, this is to avoid chances of getting robbed.
Nobody really ever reads all 100 steps of the list of 100 steps.
Like Pharrell's music video Happy, did anyone actually go through the entire 24 hours video?
Place folded items on top of your luggage.
Look for nooks and crannies and tiny spaces to fill up with your small items like bras and socks.
Pack your identifications such as driver license, international driver license, passport, health card, student ID and etc.
Pack your travel insurance information. Have a copy in your USB drive, too.
Wear the heavy or bulky clothing instead of packing them in your bags.
Pack light.
Pack a beach blanket if it's possible. For beach fun, you know.
Pack your travel confirmations, itinerary, map and direction, and such (also have copies in your USB drive).
You're almost there, champ!
Pack one or two pens, and some scratch paper (if you're not bringing a notebook), in your backpack/carry-ons.
Pack a book to read for leisure.
Pack your sense of humor.
Pack an open mind.
Pack light.
Pray that your luggage(s) don't get opened up for random security checks at the airport, because they don't usually put your stuff back as neatly as you do.
Don't forget your house keys!
You got 99 problems, but packing ain't one!
Finally, you can check if your bags are too heavy for you, by walking around with them in our hometown, You will probably be doing some walking with your bags when you travel. So it's best to decide for yourself how much stuff to bring so you can travel happy.
Are we missing anything else?
Planning your trip to Thailand? Check out more articles:
→ How to Travel Cheaply?
→ How to Travel Safely?
→ Guest Post: What To Expect At The Infamous Full Moon Party
