Celebrate Songkran in style at The Sarojin
With the Thai New Year on the horizon, luxury boutique resort The Sarojin is awash with excitement as it introduces a series of special Songkran experiences to help guests celebrate Thailand’s ancient water festival. On 13th April, guests staying at the five-star resort can immerse themselves in ancient Thai customs and traditions that have been observed throughout the centuries, enabling them to make a deeper connection with authentic Thailand during the country’s hottest month of the year.
Songkran Festival, or “water splashing festival”, is Thailand’s most celebrated festival which runs from 13th-15th April 2015. In Khao Lak, where The Sarojin is located, visitors will see main event being celebrated over the course of the first day - offering a full day frenzy of religious blessings, fun-filled water fights and a carnival atmosphere with dancers, drums and colourful processions.
On 13th April, guests can enjoy the resort’s newly-developed “Songkran at The Sarojin” package with a number of authentic and wonderfully watery experiences, including the chance to discover the magnificent waterways of southern Thailand - spending the morning roaring through the backwaters of the 135-mile Takuapa river system onboard a traditional pleat boat. With champagne in hand, guests can compare manoeuvres with the fisherman in Khao Lak as they explore this area of outstanding natural beauty, lovingly nicknamed the “Little Amazon” by the locals.
The tour will then progress to a local Thai temple to receive a special Songkran blessing from Buddhist monks before joining the locals in jovial water fights on the historic streets of Takaua Old Town, the historical capital town of Pha Nga province, with an opportunity to get a glimpse of local life and taste some of the delicious street food delicacies for which Thailand is famous.
After their cultural tour of Takuapa, all guests of The Sarojin are invited to join in the Songkran celebrations on the hotel’s 11km stretch of secluded white sand beach and arm themselves with buckets, spray guns and water balloons in a bid to get everyone as wet possible, as part of a spirited public spring cleaning to wash away bad luck as they bring in the New Year.
The festival celebration will conclude with a lively Songkran Carnival held on The Sarojin beach, offering a special evening of dining, dancing and traditional live music with spectacular long drum processions. The day will draw to a close with a stunning lantern releasing ceremony involving the hotel staff and discerning guests – a very special way to mark the first day of Songkran and plenty of reason for holidaymakers to splash out on a luxury trip to The Sarojin this April.
The second day of Songkran starts with an intimate experience with one of Thailand’s most sacred mammals, the elephant. Under the close watch of the expert guides guests will cruise on elephant back through the shadowing jungles that camouflage the luxury resort before swimming alongside the magnificent creature in a tranquil nearby river. After a quick wash, courtesy of the elephant, couples will climb on the back of their new acquaintance as they witness the oldest and most stunning evergreen forest in the world during a trek across Khao Sok National Park.
As they see the breathtaking limestone mountains leave their peripherals, guests will travel to Takuapa Old Town, located in the Phang Nga province. They will enjoy a truly cultural experience of one of Thailand’s rural town’s as they partake in a friendly water fight with local children to celebrate the Songkran tradition. Before sitting down to sample some of the delicious local delicacies, couples will take a walk to a serene Pagoda Temple to offer alms to the inhabiting monks in return for a spiritual blessing.
Prices for the “Songkran at The Sarojin” start from THB 12,870 (approximately GBP 261) per person, including accommodation in a luxury Garden Residence with all-day á la carte breakfast and sparkling wine served for two people. EVA Air offers direct flights to Thailand from London Heathrow, with return airfares from £578 per person. Book online at evaair.com.
For further information on The Sarojin, visit sarojin.com.