As the BO on the BTS only gets muskier, you may have guessed it: the Thai summer season is upon us, and if there’s any prime time to best escape the heat, it is now. Approaching the biggest and the wettest holiday of the year, if you’re looking to travel abroad this summer, here are 10 Songkran trip ideas to awaken your travel bug and explore Southeast Asia.
Bangkok is an ideal travel hub for those who wish to explore Southeast Asia. Mountains, rainforests, or beachside, most destinations can be reached within a few hours. As Songkran presents the longest holiday of the year, it’s time to blow away the dust and the PM 2.5 off your passport, and get travelling. Here are a few ideas to get you started, whether you be a curry-noodles-foodie, cha chaan teng-loving city shopper, or a yogi seeking out Javier Bardem in a rice field. Read on and find out.
[Hero Image Credit: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa; Featured Image Credit: Lost Lindenberg Bali]
10 Songkran trip ideas in Southeast Asia to tickle your travel bug in 2024
1 flight hour away: Hit your daily step count goal and explore historical Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap is far too famous to be called a “secret,” but it can be overlooked by the traveller who yearns for beaches or bustling cities. A short flight away from Bangkok (or a 400km road trip, if you dare), Siem Reap is home to the ruins of Angkor, and the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex. An incredible sight to behold, those with a knack for history will find plenty to admire over a long weekend here. However, even those who have done the 4am rise for sunrise at Angkor can head back to Siem Reap to appreciate some of the smaller things. Charming cafes, tree-lined streets, and a slower pace of life still make Siem Reap worthy of the revisit for Songkran. The great selection of luxury hotels definitely helps, too.
Best for: Early risers, Lara Croft lovers, slow life sloths
How to get there: Daily direct flights on Air Asia and Bangkok Airways
Where to stay: The Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor for a historic, art-deco stay, Amansara for a more intimate and exclusive experience, and Phum Baitang for a unique retreat in a rice paddy field
1.25 flight hours away: Discover the untapped beach gem of Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Vietnamese beaches are giving Thailand’s beaches a run for their money, and Phu Quoc is out to prove it. Conveniently located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, and has really risen in recent years to become a must-visit beach destination. Known as ‘Pearl Island,’ find yourself beach bum-ing or exploring Phu Quoc National Park by day, and gorging on fresh seafood, crab rice, and ‘Viet-Cajun’ street food by night. Head here for a Songkran break that is a perfect mix of hiking, happy hours, and hearty meals.
Best for: Those who are dying to know whether Phu Quoc really is the “Bali of Vietnam”
How to get there: Direct flights on Viet Jet Air three times a week
Where to stay: The absolutely gorgeous Bill Bensley-designed JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa for never-ending ‘grammability, Regent Phu Quoc for design-savvy fine foodies, and Premier Village Phu Quoc for family-welcoming villa stays
1.5 flight hours away: Celebrate Songkran the Laotian way in Luang Prabang, Laos
Once the royal capital of Laos, the whole town of Luang Prabang is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its temples and sweet, sleepy pace of life. However, those who head here during Songkran will find the streets a little livelier, as Luang Prabang residents too engage in hefty water fights to welcome the Buddhist new year. Make merit with an alms giving ceremony in the wee hours of the morning, visit Kuang Si waterfall for a refresh, and watch the sunset over the Mekhong from a riverboat: you can do it all in Luang Prabang, and easily fit it all into one quick trip’s itinerary. Definitely don’t skimp on the street food, either. Flavours may feel familiar, but don’t let that fool you.
Best for: Merit-makers, slow life lovers, jaew bong aficionados
How to get there: Daily direct flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang on Air Asia and Bangkok Airways
Where to stay: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang MGallery for city-centre activity-seekers, Satri House for a colonial-style boutique stay, and Rosewood Luang Prabang for a sanctuary more secluded
book rosewood luang prabang here
2 flight hours away: Eat your heart out in Penang, Malaysia
Malaysians know Penang as a food haven, and those who want to sample street food like there’s no tomorrow (or scale), should consider Penang Island for a Songkran trip this April. The island’s state capital of George Town is dotted with colonial architecture, as well as Chinese shophouses and mosques. These structures are a testament to Penang’s history, which is also reflected in the variety of cultures and cuisines to explore here. Dumplings for breakfast, laksa for lunch, and nasi lemak for dinner, maybe? From cute coffee roasters to award-winning cocktail bars, Penang has it all for a fast and fulfilling foodie’s escape. If your travel bug needs convincing, it’s also absolutely worth checking out (and staying in) some of the beautifully preserved heritage buildings here.
Best for: Street food foodies, colonial architecture admirers, speakeasy seekers
How to get there: Daily direct flights from Bangkok to Penang on Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, and Thai Airways
Where to stay: The Eastern & Oriental Hotel for a classic imperial ambience, The Edison George Town for a gorgeous boutique stay, and Macalister Mansion for past-meets-present romance
2 flight hours away: Embrace coffee, culture, banh mi, and bikes in Hanoi
Hanoi isn’t a city for those sensitive to sound, but once you become accustomed to the honking of the motorbikes, it has plenty of charms. Hanoi’s Old Town is chaotic and crazy (especially when crossing the street), yet boasts plenty to love, be it in squat-chair coffeeshops that are open all night, or fine dining restaurants that have finally received regional acclaim. Needless to say, the street food comes unmatched, and paired with a Vietnamese beer, is an understandable reason why the locals stay out so late. Fairly walkable, Hanoi is an easily manageable destination for a Songkran long weekend trip, whether you explore the French influences near the Hanoi Opera House, or queue to pay your respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Hanoi has a lot of smaller, quality boutique hotels to check out, though the world’s most famous hotel chains are also present — with much grandeur.
Best for: Those with strong knees, as you’ll be squatting a lot at the streetside eateries
How to get there: Daily direct flights on Air Asia, VietJet Air, and Thai Airways
Where to stay: Sofitel Legend Metropole for old world glamour with fantastic dining, Capella Hanoi for something artsy and fancy, also by Bill Bensley, and the Hotel de l’Opera MGallery for a boutique stay near the Hanoi Opera House
2.5 flight hours away: Follow in the steps of TayTay in Singapore
Given its prim and proper reputation, Singapore rarely tops the list as the most exciting destination in Southeast Asia, and at times this feels a little unfair. Always a reliable and efficient travel destination, queues at the award-winning airport aren’t long, traffic isn’t bad, and those who enjoy long walks can do so in safety and on stable walkways. Lest we forget, Taylor Swift chose only Singapore as the Southeast Asian destination for her Eras Tour, and now that the hype has died down (and the prices, hopefully, too), it could be fun to revisit and follow in her foot steps. A whole plethora of new luxury hotels has opened in Singapore, as well as cafes, restaurants, and bars. Unlike many of the other destinations on our list, all you have to do is leave your accommodation, walk a few steps, and discover. Fuss-free for Songkran.
Best for: Finding out what’s new in Singapore (more than you’d think, actually)
How to get there: Daily direct flights on Scoot, Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines
Where to stay: Capella Singapore on Sentosa island if you want to follow in Taylor’s superstar steps, Pullman Singapore Orchard to live in the heart of it all, and The Singapore EDITION, which everyone is very excited about (naturally)
book pullman singapore orchard here
book the singapore edition here
3 flight hours away: Eat, drink, and get artsy in Hong Kong
In a similar vein to Singapore, it is likely that many Bangkokians have already been to Hong Kong before, and yet a revisit is always a good time. Whilst Art Basel may have come and gone by Songkran, there are still plenty of artsy reasons to head back. The highly ‘grammable teamLab:Continuous will still be open to explore, Creamfields will take place on 13-14 April, and have you visited Hong Kong’s “Silicon Valley of Culture” at K11 Mysea yet? Between a sprinkling of snazzy new hotel openings and a whole host of must-try bars (lest we forget, Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ three-time-winner Coa is located here), Hong Kong always makes for a worthy revisit that ticks all the boxes.
Best for: Luxury shoppers, bar-hoppers, music, art, and cha chaan teng lovers
How to get there: Daily direct flights on Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific
Where to stay: Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour for a new view from across the water, The Upper House for its design and because it never does fail, and the brand new Mondrian Hong Kong, for obvious reasons
4 flight hours away: Embark on an eco-adventure in Cebu, Philippines
Thailand boasts a generous selection of dreamy beaches, and so we often overlook the shores of our neighbours in Southeast Asia in favour of comfort. However, as any of your diver friends will tell you, the waters of the Philippines are absolutely worth the visit, especially if you have a few days — like for Songkran. Cebu is a great place to start, given that there are direct flights from Bangkok on some days. You’ll feel like Ferdinand Magellan himself when you visit Magellan’s Cross, the landmark the Portuguese explorer left here when he first discovered it in 1521; and you’ll find just why and how people fall in love with the beaches of the Philippines so. Once Cebu has you, it won’t be long before you make the longer journey to Palawan, next Songkran.
Best for: Those who’d like to go shark-spotting and waterfall-swimming, as well as church-admiring and fort-exploring all in one trip
How to get there: Direct flights on Philippine Airlines and Bangkok Airways, depending on the day. Connecting flights via Manila on Cebu Pacific and Philippines Air Asia
Where to stay: The Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort if you want to keep your Thai hotel roots in tact, the Shangri-La Mactan for direct white sand access, and Le Maisons d’itac for remote, roomy fishing village villas deluxe
4.25 flight hours away: Cleanse your soul before sunset drinks in Bali, Indonesia
Whilst it will still be rainy season in Bali in April, those who find romance in the rain, will find plenty to love on the island during Songkran. Whilst Bali gets a bit of a hippie name tag these days, there is something on the Indonesian island even for those who don’t over-quote Eat Pray Love. Whilst you could go for yoga retreats and smoothie bowls (really good ones, at that), there is also a fantastic arts and music scene to explore, local cuisine to sample, and tropical forests to wander. Just don’t let the monkeys play you. If you’re looking to learn how to surf, lose all the knots in your muscles with massages, or meditate until your office stresses evaporate, this is it. Maybe, you meet Javier Bardem at a beach club, too.
Best for: Finding yourself in a rice paddy field, in every sense of the word
How to get there: Daily direct flights on Indonesia Air Asia, Thai Air Asia, and Thai Airways
Where to stay: Potato Head Studios or Suites for the design- and music-savvy, Lost Lindenberg for real privacy off the tourist path, and Anantara Uluwatu for cliffside serenity
5.5 flight hours away: Enjoy nature the luxurious way in Langkawi, Malaysia
As any Malaysian will tell you, the beach island featured on Crazy Rich Asians is absolutely not in Singapore, but in Langkawi, Malaysia. The good news is you don’t have to be Nick-Young-rich to visit Langkawi, though you can enjoy a crazily enriching experience here. The archipelago has become a hot zone for luxury resorts, binding together the beauty of the nature around them with top-tier services. An ideal getaway for two this Songkran, hike to your heart’s content throughout the day, before bathing in a waterfall and chatting to the native birds on your way down. Spend your evenings unwinding with a good book, a glass of wine, and the best night’s sleep you’ve had in a while. It’s all about tranquility here — if it’s the Songkran break you need, it’s the Songkran trip you should book.
Best for: Embodying luxury rainforestcore, writing your next novel, befriending Malaysian birds and stingless bees
How to get there: Connecting flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur and then Langkawi on Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines
Where to stay: The Meritus Pelangi Langkawi for wooden villas and laid-back vibes, The Danna for a cool, colonial-Mediterranean escape, and The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi for luxury romance in a 10-million-year-old rainforest
Lisa Gries
Creative Content Director, Bangkok
Lisa is the Creative Content Director at Lifestyle Asia and Prestige Thailand. When she’s not knees-deep in SEO analysis or editorial calendars, you’ll likely find her in downward-facing dog at the yoga studio, or immersed in conversation at a secret bar in China town. Lisa writes mostly on dining, travel, and pop-culture, and is a huge fan of soup dumplings, Riesling, and power napping — in exactly that order.
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