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Celebrate the Thai New Year in style

18th March 2013 Print
Spirit Lantern

Thailand’s multi-award winning boutique resort, The Sarojin, is celebrating Thailand’s ancient water festival, Songkran, by launching a special package for guests to enjoy on 13th April 2013. The package, which honours the beginning of Thai New Year, will provide guests with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the ancient religious rituals and fascinating traditions held in Takuapa Old Town, before soaking up the fun during the annual Songkran water fight on the five-star hotel’s secluded 11km stretch of white sand beach.

The Sarojin’s new one-day package, Songkran at The Sarojin, begins in watery wonderment with the chance to splash around with native Thai elephants in the jungles that surround the luxury 56-room resort. Accompanied by a local guide, visitors will have a one-on-one swimming experience with the elephants and make lasting memories as they perch on their necks and try to scrub their leathery skin while the elephants submerge themselves under water. The experience ends with a bareback trek through the trails of Khao Sok National Park.

There is little time to dry off and even less reason to as the package progresses to Takuapa Old Town, where guests will engage with the locals during a series of Songkran water fights on the historic old town streets. During their time in Takuapa Old Town – the historic capital of the Pha Nga province – guests will observe ancient Thai customs that have been practiced for centuries, together with a variety of local street food delicacies. They will also gain a glimpse of local temple life and have a unique opportunity to offer food and alms to traditional monks, as part of a religious gesture to ask for their blessings.

After their cultural tour through Takuapa, guests will return to The Sarojin where Songkran is celebrated with fervor and zeal – and bucket loads of water – during the yearly water fight on the resort’s white sand beach. All guests and staff members are invited to participate with water pistols, water balloons and buckets filled with water in a high-spirited attempt to get as drenched as possible, in order to wash away bad luck for the year ahead.

The festival merriment continues with a celebratory evening at The Sarojin’s Songkran Carnival. Held in a spectacular beach setting, overlooking the shimmering Andaman Sea, visitors can enjoy a lively evening of revelry with dramatic long drum processions, traditional live music, lantern releasing and plenty of entertainment as they dine on cuisine from the four regions of Thailand. As well as being awash with traditional significance, the evening is a delightful way to mark the first day of Songkran.

The Songkran festival, also known as the water festival, is Thailand’s most celebrated festival and offers refreshing fun at the hottest time of the year. In Khao Lak where The Sarojin is located, visitors will see the main events celebrated during the first day of Songkran on 13th April, when there will be a frenzy of religious blessings, fun-filled water fights and an energetic carnival atmosphere. It is a wonderful time to splash out on a luxury stay at The Sarojin, whether travelling with a loved one or friends or as part of a family with older children. 

The Songkran at The Sarojin package costs just GBP 50 per person.

Kuoni offers a week-long stay at The Sarojin during Songkran, with prices starting from £1,970 per person based on two sharing. Price is inclusive of seven nights’ accommodation in a luxury Garden Residence; return flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow; private airport transfers by luxury car; and all-day á la carte breakfast with sparkling wine served for two people. Based on departure on 11th April 2013. For more information, visit kuoni.co.uk.

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Spirit Lantern