In fun-loving Thailand, even the seasons are vulnerable to a little bit of
sanook.
While most people consider April as the showery middle of springtime,
here in the Land of Smiles it’s called summer. School’s out, the heat
cranks up, and so do the opportunities to enjoy a happy vacation.
Any account of the Siamese summer would be lacking if it didn’t mention
Songkran,
the Thai New Year festival marking the traditional calendar’s
“astrological passage”, which is celebrated by dousing with water anyone
within splashing range. Observed nationwide during the hottest part of
the year, the holiday is famous for people wandering the streets
carrying containers of water or water guns like dripping-wet soldiers,
or simply settling themselves down at the sides of roads and
intersections with buckets and garden hoses, soaking each other and
passersby with glee.
If wet and wild is your idea of a good time, then this time of year is
perfect for visiting any of Thailand’s seemingly endless selection of
beautiful beaches.
Phuket is the world-renowned resort
destination where holiday-goers can relax amid picturesque white sand
beauty, head out on the crystal clear Andaman Sea for a snorkel or scuba
trip, and enjoy a seemingly limitless array of great food and
nightlife. The best thing about the early summer months in the islands,
April and May, is that it’s the “low season” for visitors from many
Western countries. Hotels and restaurants run promotions and things
tend to be a bit cheaper and less crowded. But shhhhhhh, that’s between
you and me.
For an even more laid-back beach experience in low season, head to another Andaman island,
Ko Lanta. The reduced number of travellers visiting there in summer means they
are rewarded with long stretches of beach to themselves and the serenity
of an uncrowded island paradise, and while the island 'slows down'
around the end of April each year because of the oncoming green season,
it is possible to enjoy weeks at a time with little or no rain. Roughly
80% of the population there practices Islam, and fishing and chilling
on the beach are a way of life. Due to this Muslim influence, the local
cuisine is based firmly in Malay and Indian traditions. Local
favourites include southern-style dishes like Muslim curry (massaman),
rice noodles in fish curry sauce (khanom chin), and chicken birayani
(chicken on yellow currie
d rice). A
distinctive Southern dialect of Thai is spoken there, and the Old Lanta
Town is rich in history, local customs, and traditional festivals.
A popular summertime activity in Thailand is the
Chiang Mai Night Safari, one of only a handful of nature parks of its kind, and a
unique
sight for people of all ages. Many travellers familiar with this type
of theme park consider Chiang Mai’s the most beautiful Night Safari in the world, plus, in summer, any nighttime excursion offers a welcome respite from the daytime weather. The Night Safari is basically an aesthetically pleasing zoo set out like a theme
park, with the animal viewing separated into three main areas: the
Jaguar Trail, featuring a 1.2km walking trail which provides glimpses of
a wide variety of exotic mammals and birds; the Savanna Safari and its
300+ animals covering everything from white rhinos to kangaroos; and the
Predator Prowl, where the big hunters roam.
For those looking for big-city action, you can beat the heat by sampling Bangkok's superlative selection of A/C-chilled shopping malls. All the
leading international brands are available in places like Siam Paragon
and Gaysorn Plaza, which emphasize fashionable luxury living and host a
wide selection of registered dealers of top names like Gucci, Louis
Vuitton and Tiffany, among others. In nearby Ratchaprasong, the Central
World and Central Chitlom malls provide an oasis with the former
hosting nearly 500 shops which are highly popular among affluent Thais
and expats.
The other main downtown shopping
destination is the Sukhumvit area, with Terminal 21 and Emporium, both
also easily accessed by Bangkok’s convenient Sky Train system. Terminal
21, a “Market Street” theme with an international flair, is a 9-floor
complex with each level named for an international destination like
Rome, Tokyo or Istanbul.
So, for anyone interested in a
world-famous festival, beautiful uncrowded beaches, outdoor wildlife,
and a shopping paradise, summer in Thailand might be the thing to do
this spring!
Article written by Tourism Authority of Thailand. Pictures by Tourism
Authority of Thailand. Credits to Tourism Authority of Thailand.
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