A Thailand Songkran Experience
Several years ago at my last job, we had an exercise where we discussed travel. My coworker, at the time, described her trip to Thailand for their new year. She said it was a countrywide water fight. Now I had no plans (or funds) to travel that far at the time but her experience stuck with me. Fast forward six years later in 2017, I started planning a trip to Thailand for Songkran.
The travel gods blessed with a deal from Qatar Airlines where flights were going in the $500s. I was gonna have to fly out of Philly but it's 2 hours away. My flight was $597 total. I could have got it cheaper but my dates were not flexible. But Qatar is a luxury Middle Eastern airline. That's the best plane I've been on to this day. You can get better deals but it will most likely be with an Asian airline. No shade but your experience will not be the same.
Note: After I booked my flight, the laptop travel ban was placed on certain Middle Eastern countries. Qatar was one of these countries. I had to check my tablet on my layover. When I got back to Philly, I hopped in my car and forgot all about my precious Kindle fire. The airline called me an hour into my ride. I told them I had already left but they offered to ship it to me for free. Best customer service ever!!!
I wanted to visit three cities while I was there. Bangkok, Phuket (pronounced Poo-ket), and Chiang Mai. I ended up booking 3 domestic flights with Air Asia (the Spirit Airlines of the East). I tried to book a train but it sold out. Word is, the trains had roaches so I don't think I really missed out. I paid $203 for the 3 flights total. I booked within a month of departure and holiday time so I paid a little more.
I arrived in Thailand Sunday evening (I left Saturday morning). I was extra tired but super excited. Opened the Uber app and proceeded to my hotel in downtown Bangkok. I stayed at Hotel Clover Asoke for one night ($65). I went to a rooftop bar to eat. Then came back and went to sleep. I was catching a flight to Phuket the next day. In the morning, I did visit the markets trying to find a virgin hair dealer (Judge me all you want. I was trying to be the new hair plug lol). Songkran is a national holiday so many businesses were closed. And there's always Ali Express for all my hair needs.
I arrive in Phuket. At the time, Uber was not there so I hopped in a taxi. Lodging was at Patong Mansion Hotel for three days ($39 a night). It was near the beach and the tourist area. I did most of my souvenir shopping here. This is where I discovered Pad Thai and I ate that most of my trip. I went on a boat tour ($57) to the Phi Phi islands (pronounce Pee Pee). This is where all the beach pictures are taken. FYI, these pictures will not be even remotely close to what you will see in person. The beauty of Thailand is something I can not describe in words.
Now let's move on to this water fight. I knew Songkran is April 13 and the water fight lasts until the 15th. But in Phuket, they started the night of the 12th. I had to buy a water gun, cell phone protection, and safety glasses. You ever been sprayed in the eyeball by a Super Soaker?! It's not fun and I thought I was going blind lol. I felt like 007 out there with a water gun. However, a water gun is no match for the people throwing buckets of water. From their businesses and from their trucks. It is brutal but fun as hell. At the moment, I wished I had not traveled alone. I wanted everyone to experience this! Here's a short video of me in the middle of a water fight.
The next morning I was off to Chiang Mai. Remember this is April 13 so walking outside is nerve wrecking. I felt like an assassin leaving the hotel to jump in the taxi. And I left my water gun because I didn't have room to check it. When I arrived at the airport, I realized I could have just brung the water gun on board with me. I get to Chiang Mai and am back on my Uber ish. My hotel for the next 3 days was Thannatee Boutique Hotel ($50 a night).
In Chiang Mai, I enjoyed a cooking class ($25) and the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary ($48). And I continued to get showered by buckets, hoses, and water guns. Even the little kids were out. The people were amazing and I felt so welcomed. I hope to return next year and bring some folks with me.
I did do a private tour in Bangkok on my last day there where I visited many of the historical sites. That was $90. And I did not enjoy my experience with them so their information will not be posted.
