From Dusit Thani all the way to Narathiwat intersection, Silom Road is guaranteed to be crowded during Songkran as it’s one of the two officially designated areas for Bangkok water-splashing between Apr 12-14 this year.

 

QUICK BITES: Especially for the festival period, there will be 200 stalls offering food and drinks for you to refuel, as well as gear for your water fights.

 

EVENTS: Head over to W Bangkok, only a stop away at BTS Chong Nonsi, on Apr 11 for its annual Songkran Splash Away Pool Party, in collaboration with the busy party collective Kolour.

 

NOTE: Fans of DJ Station and the likes, stay on till nightfall and head over to Silom Soi 4, where the crowd goes wild in front of Tapas Bar. Don’t forget that the roads will be shut from 2-8pm, so stick to the BTS/ MRT.

 

Another hotspot for Songkran lies in the heart of the Old Town. Khao San Road shuts off completely to make way for the opening parade on Apr 13, and a huge stage for live performances throughout the duration of the festival. The nearby Suan Santichaiprakarn public park on Phra Athit Road also hosts Traditional Songkran in Banglumpoo for those who wish to make merit or just enjoy traditional Thai music performances.

 

HIDEOUTS: While lots of place are shut during the Songkran holiday on Phra Athit Road, you can still grab a few cocktails by the river at Babble & Rum at Riva Surya (23 Phra Athit Rd., 02-633-5000). If you’ve made your way down through Khao San Road, you can stop by day-time hideout Fabulous Bar & Dessert (32 Khao San Rd.,02-629-1144), and the original outdoor Bombay Blues (Soi Rambutri, 095-520-1515) down the relatively quiet Soi Rambutri at night.

 

EVENTS: This Apr 13-15, the Water Festival 2015 takes place throughout seven riverside venues, with free water transportation provided between Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Prayoon, Wat Kalayanamitr and community malls Tha Maharaj, Yodpiman Riverwalk and Asiatique the Riverfront. For late-night parties, just stay put on Khao San.

 

NOTE: There’s a strict no powder policy to prevent any possible harassment in the area, so stick to your water guns, guys.

 

 

Every year, the streets around Siam Square get packed with teenagers toting water guns. The square at CentralWorld is taken over by M2F Bangkok Songkran Festival 2015, which will be divided into four zones: Toy, Water, Food and Foam Party.

 

COOL TREATS: Siam’s got of heaps of new icy treats to try this summer, like the fluffy ice-shaved bingsu ice cream at Seobinggo (Siam Square Soi 7, 095-712-4872) or the customizable ice dessert at Once (228/2 Siam Square Soi 2). In the mood for some chocolate? Magnum Pleasure Store just made a return to 1/F, Siam Paragon, 991/1 Rama 1 Rd.

 

EVENT: gCircuit’s world-famous Song Kran 9 gay parties are being held at Bangkok Convention Center, Centara Grand, this year on Apr 10-12. If you haven’t got tickets yet, they will be available at the door on the night.

 

Notorious for its night-time water fights, RCA will be awash with Bangkok’s sexiest partygoers from 6pm-2am. Expect countless parties happening at pretty much every club—from the beginning to the end of the soi.

 

EVENTS: Get a dose of EDM at the four-day Pepsi S20 Songkran’s Official Electronic Dance Music Festival, held at the brandnew S20 Factory from Apr 11-14, with epic performances by the likes of Krewella, Afrojack and deadmau5. Live Bangkok is also hosting Elektro Liquid Festival on Apr 11, featuring Berlin DJs Fritz Kalkbrenner and Alex Rath on the main stage, and lots of local DJs in the outdoor party area.

 

NICHE SPOTS: For something different before the parties begin, you can see the Korean Broadway Nanta Show (RCA Plaza Building, 02-641-4407-10) at 8pm. Tickets during Songkran (Apr 11-15) come with a complimentary drink at Gaso Bar & Bistro (RCA Block E, 087-664-4500).

 

NOTE: Hands down, Route 66 pulls the biggest crowd, and it celebrates this year with the Songkran Summer Fest 2015 from Apr 11-16. But if you’re not too keen on the MET 107 stuff, try Beer Cap for rock tunes and craft beers.