Welcome to The Bangkok Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Songkran and the Symbolic Meaning of Water

• Delicious selection of healthy poke bowls in Bangkok

• Songkran main spots - Where to get soaked?

• The Surin Elephant Round-Up Festival

• And more…

Fun Fact

Songkran and the Symbolic Meaning of Water

During Songkran, water represents purification and renewal, not just festive play. Traditionally, people pour scented water over Buddha images in temples ("Song Nam Phra") as a meritorious act of cleansing.

When younger people sprinkle water on elders' hands and shoulders ("Rod Nam Dam Hua"), they show respect while seeking blessings. Though modern celebrations often feature energetic water fights, these traditional symbolic meanings remain central to Songkran's spiritual significance as a time of purification and new beginnings.

Trivia

✅The Answer to your Trivia last week = B) Surin Elephant Round-up

Here’s your trivia question of the week! Think you know the answer? Find out if you’re right in next week’s newsletter. No cheating!

How many temples are there in Thailand?

A) 20,000 - 30,000

B) 30,000 - 40,000

C) 40,000 - 50,000

D) 50,000 - 60,000

News 📰

Songkran celebrations at Sanam Luang generate over Bt1.7bn - TAT (Link)

Over 360k join Bangkok celebrations (Link)

A world of art awaits in Khao Yai (Link)

Two more bodies found under collapsed building, death toll rises to 43 (Link)

Thai PM Joins Bangkok Governor on Canal Inspection Highlighting City Revitalisation (Link)

Lifestyle 🕶️

💪 Health & Wellness

Hunter Poke - offers a delicious selection of healthy poke bowls in Bangkok, with standout efficient and friendly service. The local vibe adds authentic charm to the dining experience. The Classic bowl is a must-try combination featuring salmon, mango, avocado, and pomelo that blend perfectly together. It's also a great spot for socializing with friends while enjoying nutritious food. (Link)

Organic Village Soi 32 - provides a relaxing retreat for health-conscious individuals. The atmosphere features calming greenery that creates an instantly soothing environment. Their impressive range of organic produce and healthy dishes are beautifully presented and notably fresh. While prices tend to be somewhat premium, the quality justifies the cost. This eco-friendly haven offers the perfect blend of healthy eating in a tranquil setting. (Link)

Taco Lake - delivers affordable wakeboarding and SUP experiences that won't disappoint. The warm, calm water creates ideal conditions for both beginners and intermediate riders. When wiping out, visitors appreciate the convenient shuttle service back to the starting point. The cable park features ramps and sliders on one side, plus water obstacles that make each lap more exciting. Visitors should bring water shoes as the pontoons get hot, and note that the launch area needs some maintenance. Beyond wakeboarding, the venue offers knee boards and paddle boarding at prices lower than other Bangkok wakeboard parks. (Link)

🍽️ Restaurants

Smith & Co. (Chidlom) - serves up remarkable burgers in a stylish, cozy setting that's perfect for photographs and socializing. Their pork burger in mushroom soup is surprisingly crisp despite being soaked, while the beef is cooked to a perfect medium-rare that retains juiciness without being bloody. The reasonably priced food comes in generous portions ideal for sharing with friends, making this spot perfect for casual group dining with great atmosphere. (Link)

Tonchin Ramen - Mercury Ville - at Mercury Ville elevates the ramen experience near Chidlom. Their Tsukemen soup features a rich, long-simmered "Noko" broth that perfectly adheres to firm noodles. The Special Noko Ebi Tsukemen comes with melt-in-your-mouth sous vide chashu, pork belly, and chicken. House-made Tsukune (chicken meatballs) plus the unique combination of salmon roe and cheese create an unforgettable flavor profile. The attentive staff maintains excellent service standards, making this spot highly recommendable for ramen lovers. (Link)

SoCal - inside the InterContinental Hotel offers an American dining experience with a diverse menu in a casually elegant atmosphere. Standout dishes include the tomato and ricotta pasta, coriander pesto and cashew pasta, broccolini with tahini, and cold beet salad with candied pecans and goat cheese. The combination of excellent service, reasonable prices, and amazing food makes SoCal a must-visit restaurant in Bangkok. (Link)

☕ Cafes

Bru Cafe - serves excellent breakfast and brunch with friendly service at reasonable prices. The menu features both sweet and savory options, with particularly well-made scrambled eggs that remain creamy and soft. Their all-day selection covers everything from açaí bowls to eggs prepared numerous ways, salad bowls, wraps, burgers, and pasta dishes. The excellent coffee pairs perfectly with the great atmosphere, and the English-speaking staff creates good vibes throughout. Booking ahead is recommended as this popular spot fills up quickly. (Link)

Luka Cafe - delights visitors with great coffee and generously portioned, delicious food. The crispy, tasty fried taro sticks accompanying the fish and sticks dish are particularly noteworthy. Their high-quality beef salad and carrot cake also receive high praise. The house sauces—especially the green jalapeño and pineapple variety—elevate every dish to the next level. With friendly, prompt service and consistently packed tables, making a reservation is highly advisable for this popular cafe. (Link)

🍹 Bar & Rooftop Bars

Route66 - earns its stellar reputation through immaculately maintained and clean facilities, consistently friendly staff, and impressive video installations with smart lighting that often connects to current events. The club's design features high tables on dance floors where groups can place their drinks and dance around them while maintaining personal space. For those preferring a more traditional club experience, the classic floor with surrounding bar offers a crowded, energetic atmosphere. Security is smooth and attentive, making it safe even for solo visitors. The ladies' restroom in the west section features a unique live boys' band performing exclusively for female guests, creating a special atmosphere with comfortable seating and engaging multilingual entertainment. (Link)

ONYX - demands effort to enter, especially on weekends when it's booked solid—a testament to its popularity. The club features amazing DJs, a massive setup, and excellent food and beverages. The marvelous lighting arrangements complement the fantastic music and consistent branding throughout the customer experience. Staff remains attentively close throughout visits, ensuring glasses stay filled. While space near the stage is somewhat limited, it's sufficient for dancing, and visitors quickly become captivated by the music, visual displays, and occasional stage dancers. The immersive experience makes early departures practically impossible. (Link)

👫 Activities

Songkran main spots - Where to get soaked?

1. Silom Road

2. Khaosan Road

3. Siam Square

4. Samyan Mitrtown

5. Central World

6. Icon Siam

7. Sanam Luang

8. Changchui

   For more information click here

Social 👥

🥳 Social Events & Networking

April 16th I 14:00 - 16:00 I Meetup for coffee ☕️ @Treehouse Cafe & Bar (Link)

April 16th I Meetup new friend ( Jazz music ) (Private event )🎉 (Link)

April 17th I 19:00 - 21:00 I Thursday Board Games Meet up (Link)

April 18th I 19:00 - 22:00 I Chit Chat and Chill @ Sarnies Jazz Night (Link)

April 18th I 19:00 - 23:00 I Meet People Social Bangkok | Cultural International Party (Link)

April 18th I 20:00 - 23:00 I 🥂 Ladies FREE Entry 🥂 : 🌆 Liquid Pool Bar & Views @ 5 Star Skyview Hotel 🌆 (Link)

April 19th I 12:00 - 15:00 I 71 Sport Club : Badminton Every Saturday (Link)

Today’s Expat Story 🗺️

Tatiana’s Story

Tatiana saw Bangkok as an emerging fashion hub. She now designs modern streetwear with touches of Thai silk. Between sourcing fabric in Pratunam and overseeing production, she enjoys rooftop sunsets at Above Eleven. One thrilling memory was attending a Thai wedding in Chiang Mai, where she wore a custom-made Thai dress. Her tip? “Use local materials and craftsmanship to innovate your style. And never overlook the power of Thai street markets for inspiration!”

Thailand: Culture & History 🇹🇭

The Surin Elephant Round-Up Festival

The Surin Elephant Round-Up is a significant cultural event held annually in Surin Province, northeastern Thailand. The next festival will take place on Friday, November 21st, 2025 (approximately 7 months from now).

This November tradition celebrates the historical relationship between Thai people and elephants. While there are ethical considerations surrounding elephant tourism that lead many to recommend avoiding such activities, the festival does highlight the cultural and historical importance of elephants in Thai society.

Festival Schedule

The festival typically spans the third weekend of November each year, with activities often beginning on Thursday, including:

• Elephant rehearsals

• Elaborately decorated parade floats featuring carved fruits and vegetables

• An opening ceremony in the city center

Friday's highlights include a town parade with marching bands and elephants, culminating in the famous elephant buffet—approximately 50 tons of fruits and vegetables for the elephants, with watermelons being a particular favorite.

Friday and Saturday evenings feature a light and sound production at Prasat Si Koraphum, a 13th-century Khmer temple located about 30 minutes from Surin City. This unexpectedly impressive show includes music, dance, and historical reenactments.

The main Elephant Round-Up events take place at Surin Stadium on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Ethical Considerations

The festival presents a contrast between culturally significant historical reenactments and more controversial circus-like performances. While the cultural programs effectively showcase Thailand's historical relationship with elephants in work and warfare, some elements of the festival include activities that may cause stress to the animals, such as painting pictures, playing football, and performing tricks.

Visitors should consider these aspects when deciding whether to attend, weighing the cultural value against potential animal welfare concerns.

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❤️ Simeon & Nat

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