It’s that time of the year again—let the splashing begin. Break out the powder, the water cannons, the buckets, the garden hoses, the ice cubes…. What’s that you say? You don’t like getting wet? Well, that’s OK, too. This year, we’re going to prepare you for every eventuality. Whether you fully embrace the squirting, would like to celebrate the holiday in an unusual way, want to find a last minute escape from the madness or hate the water but can’t be asked (or can’t afford) to leave town, there are a host of activities to keep you happy this Songkran.

I Like to Stay Dry

A lot of Bangkokians start getting anxious around this time of year, but not everyone has the time or means to leave the city. Luckily there are a plethora of things you can do in the Capital where you don’t have to get wet. In fact, seeing as some people have as much as 11 days off (lucky jerks…), Songkran can be a great opportunity to really devote yourself to something meaningful, get something big accomplished or take on that project you’ve been putting off for ages.

Sharpen Your Palatte

Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean your can’t learn something new. Impress your boy/girlfriend by whipping up something special that you learned how to make at the adorable Vanilla Industry (B3,500 per person for half day course, B2,500 per person for groups of 3-6 people. 422/2 Siam Square Soi 11, 02-658-4720). To ensure a spot, make sure you call and make a reservation a week ahead of time. Kuppa@Playground (B1,500-2,500 per menu. 3/F, Playground, 818 Soi Thonglor, 02-714-9517-8. Open daily 10:30am-11:30pm) also teaches how to cook their wonderful dishes, though here again you should call ahead to ensure a space. Instruction on creating delectable kanom and international fare in small, intimate classes is available at ABC Cooking Studio (B2,900-4,900 per person, learn 3-6 menus. 208-210 Siam Square Soi 1, 02-251-3448. Open 10am-5pm; www.abccookingstudio.com). If you are itching to make your own sushi, you’ll have to wait until after Songkran, but it may be worth it. Chef Aki’s Real Traditional Japanese Cooking Workshop at Tsu & Nami Japanese Restaurant (B1,900 per person, JW Marriot Bangkok, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700 ext. 4359. Open 8:50am-1:30pm every first Sunday of the month) teaches you how to do everything from appetizers to desserts from the Far East.

Those looking to unlock the secrets of Thai cuisine can go to the renowned Blue Elephant Cooking School (B2,900 per person. 233 South Sathorn Rd., Kwaeng Yannawa, 02-673-9353; www.blueelephant.com) or to the Thai cooking school at the Oriental Hotel (US$190 per person, 48 Oriental Ave, 02-659-9000. Open Mon-Sat, 9am-12:30pm; www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok).

Clear Your Mind
The New Year is of course a time of spiritual renewal and re-birth and the perfect opportunity to do some mental “spring cleaning” by taking a meditation class. The International Buddhist Meditation Center (Dhamma Vicaya Hall, Wat Mahathat, Na Phra Lan Rd, 02-222-6011. Classes held daily 7am-10am, 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm; www.mcu.ac.th/mcu/eng) provides instruction throughout the day in Thai and holds a special class in English on Saturdays. Other options are House of Dhamma (26/9 Chompol Lane, Lad Phrao Soi 15, Chatuchak, 02-511-0439. Open evenings and weekends only) and the seven-acre haven of peace and serenity, Sathira-Dhammasathan (24/5 Watcharaphol, Ram Inthra Soi 55, Bang Khen, 02-510-6697. Open daily 8am-5pm; www.sathira-dhammasathan.org), which offers meditation workshops as well as other forms of spiritual development. Alternately, relax your mind and heal your body simultaneously at Yoga Elements Studio (23/ F, 29 Vanissa Building, Soi Chitlom, 02-655-5671. Open 9:30am-7:30pm, closed Sat, Apr 15; www.yogaelements.com) or try Wat Pho Traditional Thai Medical School (B7,000 for 30-hour course. 2 Sanamchai Rd, 02-221-3686. Open daily 8am-4pm; www.watpomassage.com) to put the magic of traditional healing and relaxation at your fingertips.

Get Smart

Now that you have a little time off, why not explore some of those cool places you’ve been reading about but have never had the chance to visit? Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) (6/F Central World Plaza, Ratchaprasong Rd., 02-392-5951; www.tkpark.or.th) has thousands of books and magazines to flip through (and maybe even read!), both in Thai and foreign languages. If reading is not your thing, TK Park is also a clearinghouse for all sorts of multimedia: They regularly hold film screenings (including 3D movies), have thousands of songs from all over the world to listen to, information on musical instruments from Thailand and abroad and offer free internet access. Alternately, the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) (6/F The Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit 24, 02-664-8448; open daily 10:30am-10pm, closed Mon; www.tcdc.or.th) offers similar services in an ultracool 2001: A Space Odyssey kind of atmosphere. Unfortunately, their services are not free; however, you can check them out once without paying, plus students get special a discount. In addition, they have free art exhibitions every month and a cool shop with unique, arty gifts for sale.

Nice, dry, air-conditioned art galleries may be just the place to spend a Songkran afternoon. The following galleries are all having some interesting exhibits going on over the holiday: 100 Tonson Gallery (100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Rd., 02-684-1527. Open Thu-Sun 11am-7pm. www.100tonsongallery.com) and Hu’u Gallery (OK, it’s a restaurant, but you’re allowed to just look. The Ascott, 1-2/F, 187 South Sathorn Rd., 02-676-6673. Open daily 5pm-1am. www.huuinasia.com). For exhibition descriptions and more suggestions, check out our +art listings in BK+.

Stay Cool - And Dry

Gliding on ice may be a faraway dream on a hot summer day, but believe or not you can do it right here in Bangkok. The rink at Central World Plaza has closed for renovation, but you can still go ice-skating at Imperial World Samrong (B150 plus B100 skate deposit. 999 Sukhumvit Rd, 02-380-4230-32, www.imperialplaza.co.th. Open daily 10am–2:45pm and 3pm-8pm, Sundays until 7:30pm). You can even sign up for figure skating lessons, or just watch for B20.

If that seems like it requires more energy than you are willing to spend, a massage right in the comfort of your own home could be a good idea. Call Kangsadan Home Spa (12/26 Thesabarnsongkrao Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak, 02-954-3401) and they’ll send a professional spa therapist to your home with all the essentials, including a clean mattress, robes, oil and even some soothing music.

Lastly, for the truly lazy or just the computer-addicted who would like to celebrate a traditional Songkran ceremony but can’t bother getting up from their desk, simply surf on over to www.songkran.net. This site offers you the chance to do it all online including Song Nam Phra (bathe the Buddha), Rod Nam Dam Hua (apologize to older people for all the bad deeds you did to them), free birds and fish (via Flash animation) and “e-splash” friends via email. The site also has information on events and the history of the festival.

I’m Getting Wet But in My Own Special Way

Songkran doesn’t have to be celebrated in water-drenched streets or temples. Here are a couple ideas for people who’d like to stay with the water theme, but in a non-traditional, out-of-the-box sort of way.

Why waste your precious time in Koh Tao when you can get certified to scuba dive before you even leave town? Planet Scuba (666 Sukhumvit Road near the top of Soi 24, 02-261-4413; www.planetscuba.net) is just one of many dive shops throughout the city that offers training in a swimming pool followed by an overnight trip to Pattaya for open water certification, so that you’ll be ready to go when you get to that tropical paradise.

Spend a day at the water’s edge without leaving the city wakeboarding at Club Taco (B200/hr, B300/2 hrs, B500/day. Bang Na Trad Highway Km 13, 02-316-7810. Open Mon-Fri noon-6 pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm). If you can get the hang of it, this fun activity that resembles water-skiing can be addictive. Instead of a boat, at Camp Taco a mechanical cable pulls you around a manmade lake—bizarre but entertaining nonetheless. A tip: Pass on the free equipment and rent the better stuff. It makes a big difference.