5 amazing travel plans to keep you cool around Thailand this summer
Summer is heating up and there's never been a better time to travel.
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8 years ago
Veranda Pattaya
1. Hit the Beaches
Our pick: Pattaya
For a last-minute beach escape, taking a daytrip to Koh Larn is a popular choice. It’s 15 minutes away from Pattaya via speedboat, and the clear seawaters make it worth the ride. But that’s not the only thing that makes Pattaya a fun summer escape. The seaside town of Chonburi has changed a lot in recent years, turning itself into a spot full of trendy new openings that come with amazing views, like Veranda Pattaya and the new branch of The Chocolate Factory. Need to cool down? You’ve got fine imported Sri Lankan tea in the Tea Factory at A’ La Campagne, as well as Skoop for gelato. The best part is that it’s only a 2-hour drive away from Bangkok.
Fun fact: During the annual Songkran festival, the Eastern provinces of Thailand celebrate through until Apr 19. The real water fights don’t really start until the final day, known as Wan Lai (Flowing Day). Try hitting Lan Pho Na Kluer Park and Wat Chai Mong Kol, where you’ll find merit-making activities, the construction of sand chedi, the Kong Khao procession in appreciation of the Goddess of Rice, as well as the Nang Songkran beauty pageant. Who says Pattaya is only about water fights and foam parties?
Pattaya City Call Center 1337, www.pattaya.go.th
Credit Photo: Ded Jongmankong
2. Take in the Arts
Our pick: Chiang Mai
The North of Thailand is as notoriously hot as Bangkok at this time of year, but we’re such big fans of the Lanna capital that we make sure to visit every year. On top of its reputation as coffee capital and slow-life centrale, Chiang Mai has more to offer beyond the hipster streets of Nimmanhaemin. There’s also a growing contemporary art community headed by the soon-to-arrive new art space Mai Iam. On top of artwork organically installed across the city, some permanent art spaces include the experimental-leaning Gallery Seescape and Hern Gallery. Grab the recently published Chiang Mai Art Map to find out about all the very best galleries in town, including the likes of Vichit Studio, Lyla Gallery, C.A.P. Studio, Documentary Arts Asia, DC Collection and Thapae East Art Space.
Fun fact: Chiang Mai has long hosted the Pra We Nee Pii Mai Muang event every Apr 12-14. As well as cultural Lanna events at sacred temples such as Wat Phra Singh and Phra That Doi Suthep, the festival also includes huge water fights around the central moat. Expect a cultural parade on the first day of the festivities, with highlights like the float carrying the sacred Phra Buddha Sihing and the Nang Songkran Chiang Mai beauty pageant.
Chiang Mai Metropolitan Office, 053-259-000
3. See the Unseen
Our pick: Sangkhlaburi
And no, it’s not just because GQ Germany decided to do a Louis Vuitton fashion shoot there. In fact, summer is the best time to visit this super quaint land of three cultures (Thai, Mon and Burmese). Its main draw is the former Wang Wiwekaram Temple, which has been submerged by the waters of Khao Laem Dam for the most part of the year since 1984—hence the name: Wat Tai Nam Muang Badan (underwater temple). Mar-May is considered drought season, when the water level drops, and is the only time of the year visitors can actually take a boat trip and walk around ruins of the old temple. Also check out Wat Somdej, another rarely visited old temple. We recommend booking a floating guesthouse to make the most of your stay.
Fun fact: The Mon community here also hosts a unique Songkran festival from Apr 13-17. The festival starts with a monk almsgiving on Uttamanusorn Bridge (also known as Mon Bridge), which is the second longest wooden bridge in the world and takes in beautiful views of the lake. Other festivities include bathing the monks by pouring water into long bamboo pipes.
Sangkhlaburi District Office, 034-595-120
4. Explore Thailand’s Old Town Heritage
Our pick: Phuket
Here you’ll find the best of both worlds. Phuket Old Town’s unique Thai-Chinese heritage feels worlds away from the private beaches at painfully beautiful luxurious resorts. The island’s baba nonya culture shines brighter than ever now thanks to the new breed of “baba-chic” restaurants and cafes in old Sino-Portuguese buildings. Make sure you check out the likes of Kopitiam by Wilai, Tu Kab Khao, Raya and China Inn. Last month also welcomed the PeranakanNitat Museum, a 1907 building dedicated to the Strait of Malacca’s unique cultural heritage.
Fun fact: Songkran festivities on Phuket are usually held at several locations including Sarasin Bridge (which connects Phuket to the mainland) and the Old Town on Thalang Road. Parties continue around Patong beach too. If you’re staying through the rest of the long break, Phuket is also gearing up to host the first Thailand Balloon Music Festival from Apr 14-17, with concerts by artists such as Singto Namchok, Musketeers and Jetset’er.
TAT Phuket, 076-211-036, 076-212-213
5. Live the slow-life in Thailand’s Ancient Cities
Our pick: Sukhothai
The first thing that comes to mind is the striking image of the ruins in the Sukhothai Historical Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the tasty Sukhothai-style noodles with the signature kai yang matoom (medium-boiled eggs). But this often overlooked destination (why go when Ayutthaya is much closer?) is also home to some cool retro cafes and delightful homestays at Baan Na Ton Jhun, a small village in Sri Satchanalai. If you have more time on your hands, take the train from Hua Lamphong up to Phitsanulok on the way there.
Fun fact: They say you can celebrate the Thai new year for half a month in Sukhothai. Festivities start from Apr 7 with the 170-year old Sukhothai Ordination Parade on Elephant Back Festival at Hadsiao Temple. Traditional Songkran fairs and food fests then continue throughout the city at various historical sites from Apr 8 onwards. The main “Khao Tok Road with Floral Cloth” Sukhothai Songran Festival takes place at Sukhothai downtown. The whole thing comes to a close with the local Bathing Chao Muen Dong Ceremony between Apr 17-19 in Sri Satchanalai.
TAT Sukhothai Office, 055-616-228-9
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