The Thai New Year will soon be upon us and if you're looking for fine feasts to celebrate it with. Here's our pick.
The Mandarin Oriental Shops / Until April 30
The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok welcomes the arrival of summer with the traditional khao chae or chilled rice in jasmine-scented water served with condiments, available at The Mandarin Oriental Shops at all four locations and at the hotel. Savour chef Pom Phatchara's khao chae, which is a labour of love, passed down from her grandmother. The delicacy uses the finest jasmine rice from Yasothorn province and can be enjoyed with shredded dried fish and hand-picked Eagle Ray from Phetchaburi province. Khao chae is available at The Mandarin Oriental Shops in Central Chidlom, The Emporium Siam Paragon and Gaysorn Village for takeaway and dining-in. A set for one person in a classic box is priced at B855 nett and a set for two in Thai-style tiffin is priced at B2,455 nett. Call 02-65909000 or email mobkk-restaurants@mohg.com.
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok / Until April 30
Flourish restaurant at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has curated a refreshing khao chae set menu to enjoyed this month. The set for dine-in is priced at B990++ and takeaway at B1,290++ per set. Savour khao ob tien (rice smoked with a scented candle) served with jasmine water and ice along with a range of side dishes including crispy pulled pork or beef, steamed banana chili stuffed with minced pork, caramelised pickled turnips, and more, all accompanied with intricately carved vegetables to provide an extra cooling crunch. Until April 30 from noon to 3pm. Call 02-095-9999 or email fb.sindhorn@kempinski.com.
Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park / April 13-15
From April 13-15, Goji Kitchen + Bar will be celebrating Thai New Year with its spectacular Songkran Buffet. Available for three days only, as part of the International Lunch Buffet or International Dinner Buffet, this upbeat feast will feature a selection of special Thai dishes. The lunch buffet will feature an expanded Asian station with braised beef noodles, spicy seafood salad, Asian-style grilled pork and chicken, phad Thai goong, and tom yum talay, along with sweet treats and Thai desserts including our signature coconut cake. Guests choosing the dinner buffet will be treated to a series of street-food style seafood dishes, including grilled garlic scallops, grilled marinated squid, baked shrimp with glass noodles, spicy seafood salad, and crispy oyster pancakes, plus an expanded Asian station with wagyu beef noodles and khao chae, the traditional Songkran dish of fragrant cold rice with condiments. For dessert, mango sticky rice will offer a true taste of Thailand. The Songkran Buffet is priced at B1,189++ per person for Thursday and Friday lunch), B2,299++ for Saturday lunch), B1,689++ per person for Thursday dinner and B2,299++ for Friday and Saturday dinner). Book via sevn.ly/xpJMzvYQ.
For guests who can’t get enough of the refreshing taste of khao chae, this delicacy will be available throughout April for the Weekday Dinner Buffet and Weekend Lunch/Brunch and Dinner. Call 02-059-5999 email restaurant-reservations.bkkqp@marriotthotels.com.
Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel / Until April 30
Experience the Thai New Year through the lens of a centuries-old tradition over a sharing meal of khao chae at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. This seasonal staple is available at the resort’s signature Thai restaurant Spice Market for dining in and take-away until April 30. Khao chae will be served the traditional way: A bowl of chilled, jasmine-fragranced rice accompanied by homemade condiments as deep-fried shrimp paste balls, sweet dried turnips and steamed green chili stuffed with minced pork. Each set is priced at B799++, based on two people sharing. Call 02-126-8866 or email dining.asia@anantara.com.
Centara Grand at Centralworld / From April 13-17
As the summer season heats up, Ventisi restaurant at Centara Grand at Centralworld invites food lovers to cool down with khao chae. Steamed rice is soaked in iced jasmine-scented water and served with various accompaniments, including fried shrimp, sweet pork and green mango. An ancient recipe created by the Mon people, who offered it to the gods during Songkran rites, khao chae later became popular in the Thai royal court. Ventisi offers diners the perfect opportunity to beat the heat and indulge in this dish throughout April during lunch and dinner buffets. Just the set is priced at B290++. Call 02-100-6255 or email diningcgcw@chr.co.th.
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort / April 13-15
The buzzing epicentre of the annual Songkran festivities on the banks of the Chao Phraya, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is ringing in the Thai New Year with an exciting multi-day programme covering every taste imaginable. At the Riverside Terrace, enjoy a royal Songkran dinner featuring traditional flavours and a cultural show. The dinner and show is priced at B1,699 nett per person and will be from April 13-15. The Songkran Sunday Brunch at Trader Vic’s on April 16 will be home to countless live stations serving up signature cuisine of the Pacific Rim, Australian prime rib roast, Alaskan king crab, imported oysters and homemade pasta from the cheese wheel, plus sizzling teppanyaki. Adults can dance to a live band on the riverbank as the youngsters fill up on sugary treats. Prices start from B2,500++ per person. Teppanyaki lovers can enjoy festive set menus at Benihana for B4,999 nett per person between April 13-15.
A sharing meal of khao chae will be served at the blooms-filled Maa Laa Café & Studio from April 13-15. Each set is priced at B750++ for two people. To be as close to the water as possible, book a dinner with Manohra Cruises for a night of refined Thai cuisine. A special menu referencing traditional flavours of Songkran and reinterpreting them in a modern key will be served following a welcome reception with cocktails on the riverbank. The experience is priced at B3,900 nett per person and is available from April 13-15. The Mud Crab Mania at Spice & Barley is offering a premium a la carte selection from April 13-30 and is priced at B888++. It features the mud crab, including Wok-fried Singapore chilli crab; Steamed crab in Hong Kong soya sauce; Wok-fried crab with egg served Thai curry-style; and Steamed mud crab with fresh milk and egg. Call 02-476-0022 or email riversidedining@anantara.com.
St. Regis Bangkok / April 13-15
To commemorate the Thai New Year, the St. Regis Bangkok is hosting culinary experiences from April 13-15. On April 13, enjoy a culinary journey across Thailand with a four-course Signature Songkran set menu for two featuring traditional Thai flavours. Starters representing the northern culinary region include a choice between Moo yang bai cha poo (grilled pork wrapped in betel leaves) and Nam prik num (northern Thai green chili dip) served with herb sausage and fresh vegetables. The subsequent use a variety of aromatic herbs, vegetables and spices from each region of the country. The Set is available for lunch and dinner and is priced at B2,500++ per couple. On April 14-15, the Songkran Epic buffet dinner will offer an extensive selection of dishes to choose from, including baked Atlantic sea scallops with triple cheeses, Pan-seared scallop fettuccine in white wine sauce, Grilled river prawns, fresh seafood, Spanish Iberico ham cured for 24 months, premium sushi and sashimi. The Buffet is priced at B2,500++ per person. Call 02-207-7777, email fb.bangkok@stregis.com or visit stregisbangkok.com.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok / April 13-15
This month, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok is beating the heat with a summer street food extravaganza, unmatched personalised stays, smoking hot feasts and a sky-high flower power party. With the “Stay & More”, enjoy a stay with the perks of Songkran celebration. Stays until June 30 include daily breakfast for two at Stock.Room, a B3,000 hotel credit towards pampering at Amaranth spa or any special Songkran dining on offer, early check-in and late check-out. Exclusively for Songkran, from April 13-15, enjoy free-flow signature Songkran tipples and small bites to a live acoustic band playing for 90 minutes by the pool.
Bar.Yard will host the “Songkran Hibiscus Party” featuring hot beats, mouth-watering grub and summer-inspired cocktails from April 13-15, from 4pm. A Songkran barbecue is available at B1,490++ per person, as are Special Songkran Sips starting from B420. On April 14-15, Stock.Room will elevate Thai street food faves and premium seafood at the “Sea Bar X Street Food Dinner”. The dinner is priced at B899++ per person. All-you-can-eat selections of cold cuts, cheeses and salad bar from The Deli are included for a total of B1,788++ per person. Call 02-056-9999, email book.kimptonmaalai@ihg.com, or visit kimptonmaalaibangkok.com or bit.ly/PRKimptonEN.
Shangri-La Bangkok / April 13-14
Celebrate the Thai New Year with family and friends at Shangri-La Bangkok’s poolside with magnificent views of the Chao Phraya River. Delight in the chef’s special selection with live cooking stations, be entertained with upbeat DJ music, exciting shows, and fun water games. Cool off from the heat with refreshing drinks from the bar. The “Songkran Pool Party” will be held on April 13-14 from 3-9pm. Entrance tickets include a welcome drink per person and is priced at B600 nett per day (until April 12), B700 nett per day at the door. Call 02-236-7777 or visit bit.ly/SongkranPoolParty2023-Media.
Meanwhile, Salathip Thai Restaurant offers “Khao Chae Chao Wang” for B790 nett for dine-in and B2,250 nett per set for takeaway and delivery inclusive of a tiffin carrier. Available May 31. Call 0-2-236-7777 or visit.
Songkran Splash / Shangri-La Bangkok / until Apr 15
Enjoy your Songkran holiday by the river at Shangri-La Bangkok, which offers a staycation starting from B6,400 per night. With the Songkran Splash package, guests can kick back and relax at the riverfront sanctuary with daily breakfast included when booking for a minimum stay of two nights. Get in your bathing suit and bring a pair of shades to the hotel’s Songkran pool party on Apr 13 and 14 with two complimentary tickets. Go to shangri-la.com/bangkok.
Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology / April 16
This month, Charcoal launches a Songkran Sunday Brunch Party and a Ramadan menu. On April 16, from noon onwards, celebrate the Thai New Year at Charcoal’s festive Songkran Sunday Brunch Party. The brunch will feature Charcoal’s signature delicacies, international dishes and exciting live cooking stations. In addition, there will be a henna artist and Bollywood dance performances. The all-you-can-eat with a glass of prosecco is priced at B1,290++ and the all-you-can-eat with free-flow prosecco is priced at B2,290++. There will also be a buy-one-get-one-free offer on all cocktails and mocktails.
Until April 20, savour a special menu during the holy month of Ramadan, in addition to Charcoal's regular halal certified menu. Iftar prices start at B350, and to book, visit bitly.ws/CiuE.
Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort / April 13-15
Discover Lanna culture and Songkran Lanna activities, Participate in alms-giving for nine monks and stroll through “kad mua” or a traditional Lanna market from April 13-15 at Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort. Along with discovering Chiang Rai's famous products and tasting authentic northern delights, enjoy traditional performances each day such as long drum parades, Thai dances and dulcimer at Sukkasaem Deck. The “Songkran Lanna Festival” package is priced at B5,300 nett per night and includes a stay in a Deluxe Garden View Room, daily breakfast for two persons, Songkran activities during stay, one Lanna Family set dinner for two, a 45-minute massage for two at Parvati Spa and a monk alms-giving. Book by April 14 and stay from April 13-15. Call 053-603-333 or visit bit.ly/CEIMDSongkranpackageENG.
