Agoda.com celebrates Thai New Year with super special Songkran rates

SINGAPORE – Agoda.com, Asia’s global hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed priceline.com Inc. (Nasdaq: PCLN), celebrates Songkran 2011 with great rates across all of Thailand.

SINGAPORE – Agoda.com, Asia’s global hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed priceline.com Inc. (Nasdaq: PCLN), celebrates Songkran 2011 with great rates across all of Thailand.

Thai New Year – Songkran – is Thailand’s biggest celebration. Every year, Songkran takes place over a three-day national holiday, with festivities lasting several days in some cities. Songkran’s defining feature is
water play.” In Thai Buddhist tradition, water poured over the hands is part of a cleansing ritual – for Songkran, this solemn blessing is transformed into boisterous, fun-filled water fights. Super-soakers and buckets increase the intensity, with iced water often used for fuel and dousings followed by a blast of chalk powder.

Travelers visiting Thailand during Songkran can experience the country at its most exuberant. Bangkok traffic eases as workers take time off, and Silom Road and Khao San Road are blocked off for music, dancing, and water play. All of Bangkok’s major malls stay open, although smaller restaurants and street stalls may close for the three-day period (April 13 to 15).

In the coastal resort city of Pattaya, a 90-minute drive south of Bangkok, the beachfront promenade fills with parties and water play for a full week of partying. In Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, Buddhist parades take place throughout the city, while people bearing super soakers and buckets transform the historic moat into a giant water fight.

Songkran is a prime time to visit Thailand. Engaging in water play with the locals is one of the most unique and fun ways to experience Thai culture. Many Thai families go on vacation during this time, so hotels fill up fast and room rates can rise. For first-time visitors to the kingdom during Songkran, there are a few travel tips that can enhance the experience.

Tips for Songkran:

– Wear light, quick-dry clothing. Thais don Hawaiian shirts, which are inexpensive and available from local supermarkets.

– Carry your mobile phone and money in a waterproof satchel. Street vendors will start selling these a few weeks in advance in anticipation of Songkran.

– Khao San Road in Bangkok is one of the liveliest places for Songkran and not for the feint-hearted.

– Be especially careful around roads at Songkran, as water is often thrown from moving vehicles at pedestrians and vice versa.

– Avoid taking a tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi anywhere during Songkran if you expect to stay dry. Tourists riding in open vehicles are especially inviting targets for local teens.

– Say, “sawasdee bee mai” to people. That’s Thai for “Happy New Year!”

– If you get squirted or drenched, just smile and say, “Thank you!” It’s good luck.

– If carrying a laptop or camera, make sure it’s in a waterproof bag.

– Escape water play by staying indoors in one of Bangkok’s big malls or full-service hotels – also the coolest places to be during Thailand’s hottest time.

– Book your hotel as early as you can – it’s peak travel time in Thailand and you don’t want to miss out!

SUPER SPECIAL SONGKRAN HOTEL DEALS

BANGKOK

Bangkok Marriot and Spa – 5 stars
Early-bird rate: Junior Suite with American breakfast from US$163 per night. Enjoy a 14.7% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bangkok/bangkok_marriott_resort_spa.html

Baiyoke Sky Hotel – 4 stars
Superior standard zone room from US$62 per night. Enjoy a 25% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bangkok/baiyoke_sky_hotel.html

Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel – 4 stars
Early-bird rate: Superior room from US$59 per night. Enjoy a 49% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bangkok/royal_princess_larn_luang_hotel.html
CHIANG MAI

Kao Mai Lanna Resort – 3 stars
Hot deal – Superior room for US$38 per night. Enjoy a 20% discount. Free Breakfast.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/kao_mai_lanna_resort.html

The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel – 4 stars
Superior room from US$56 per night. Free breakfast. Limited rooms left.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/the_imperial_mae_ping_hotel.html

PHUKET

Baan Laimai Beach Resort – 4 stars
Rates from US$89 per night. Enjoy a 26% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/phuket/baan_laimai_beach_resort.html

Alfresco Phuket – 3 stars
Rates from US$46 per night. Enjoy a30% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/phuket/alfresco_phuket.html

7Q Hotel – 3 stars
Rates from US$42 per night. Enjoy a 40% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/phuket/7q_hotel.html

PATTAYA

Dusit Thani Hotel Pattaya – 5 stars
Early-bird rate: Superior Garden View room from US$110 per night. Enjoy a 20% discount.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/pattaya/dusit_thani_hotel_pattaya.html

Baboona Beachfront Living Hotel – 3.5 stars
Studio room from US$62 per night. Free breakfast. Limited rooms available.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/pattaya/baboona_beachfront_living_hotel.html

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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