Getting soaked in Bangkok
As Thailand welcomed its new year recently with the grand Songkran festival, it seemed like this progressive “Land of Smiles†had never smiled more.
The Songkran festival is characterized by irrepressible water fights that emanate from the practice of catching the water used to clean Buddhist statues and images. The blessed water, believed to bring good luck, is poured on the shoulders of the faithful while young Thais respectfully seek the blessing of their elders by the latter pouring scented water over the former’s hands. This touching ceremony is known as rod nahm dum hua.
New beginnings, hopes and dreams herald past endings as the most important festival of the year is celebrated. Songkran is a no-holds-barred almighty water fight, and tourists gamely participate to do the soaking and get soaked as well.
My sisters Yvonne Romualdez, Michelle Soliven and I were not spared from this water heist. For this particular trip, we stayed at the Novotel Bangkok Platinum, a brand new luxury hotel with 283 rooms, located in the city’s fashion district. It is a few minutes walk to Central World, Siam Square and Siam Paragon. The hotel, which blends comfort and technology, is an impeccable choice for your next holiday or business trip.
My family and our friends have been visiting Thailand for decades and we look forward to staying in the newest hotels in this ever-dynamic country. In fact, my dear friend Marbee Shing-Go and I were awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as “Friends of Thailand†for international media because of our passion in promoting Thailand. Thanks to Agoda app, you can now make your smarter hotel bookings on your mobile. Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Priceline Group (Nasdaq: PCLN), continues to update its mobile app for iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet.
We were warmly welcomed by Novotel’s director of sales and marketing Maria Karacheva from Russia who personally accompanied us around this luxurious hotel that is also perfect as a wedding venue and for corporate meetings as well. The owners of this hotel apparently own all the Platinum malls and have appropriately designed the property to be connected to each other. With natural light, chic décor and expansive spaces, the hotel was designed to welcome you into an oasis of tranquility, hospitality and relaxation.
The Novotel Bangkok Platinum has a modern bar called the Platinum Lounge that is attractively decorated with stylish furniture and eclectic chairs and mountings. The lobby is a refreshing respite of yellow-green and white motif with an art piece of an inverted white elephant that happens to be a favorite photo-op spot for guests. We couldn’t help but pose gamely for photos here. The elephant is an endearing, revered animal of strength and intelligence and is motivated by positive reinforcement. No wonder the Novotel Bangkok Platinum picked this beautiful animal as its centerpiece.
The trendy Square Restaurant where we had our daily hearty buffet breakfast features an expansive array of our favorites like Thai congee, egg station, delectable freshly baked croissants with homemade jams, fresh fruits and juices and the heavenly Thai desserts corner. It also has an international selection of epicurean dishes and its Thai food is delightful. The Square Restaurant also offers sumptuous international lunch and Sunday brunch buffets.
The hotel’s in-house spa, called In Balance by Novotel, allows indulgence for the body, mind and soul. Adjacent to its well-appointed gym and swimming pool and children’s play station, this area has a picturesque view of the city. One can also have parties and get-togethers in this spacious enclave. Each step you take as you walk into its immaculate white spa is one of awe. Modern and functional in design, this haven of relaxation and invigoration boasts a bubble centerpiece that indicates the jovial ambiance of this sanctuary that includes a steam room, sauna and several massage nooks where the most affordable and luxuriating massages and spa treatments are given. Savor its aloe vera gel massage, which uses vitamins C and E to keep the skin hydrated as it improves circulation and energizes the body. The Royal Thai Massage is the penultimate treat as the masseuse gently and firmly kneads your weary muscles, leaving you refreshed and invigorated. A selection of therapeutic herbs is heated in a bundled compress to relieve pain and inflammation as you try the Thai herbal Compress Massage.
The hotel’s executive lounge is a cozy space where one can enjoy the quiet luxury of snacks and beverages and read and relax. The bright spaces and decoration emanate an airy ambiance that is both inviting and enticing. From our newly designed guest room with modern ergonomic facilities, we had a great view of the lively and riotous Songkran festivities held open air. There was a concert and all the young people were dancing in their shorts in suds and the festivity looked like a huge bubble bath party.
Equipped with devices filled with water, my sisters and I, wearing soaked colorful outfits, emerged drenched from a festive crowd of people. We all found our next victim to wet to continue the fun-filled celebration. The hot humid temperature in Bangkok makes getting wet with cool water refreshing and invigorating for one and all. I also experienced Songkran, a time of nationwide fun, in Chiang Mai, where it’s celebrated with an enthusiasm that borders on pandemonium. Thousands of revelers line up along the city’s moats, and temporary pumps are installed so that water can be sucked from the moats and sprayed with abandon.
Songkran celebrations in Bangkok are more low-key, with many city dwellers leaving for out-of-town trips. The main venue for throwing water around with abandon is The Khao San, where foreigners outnumber the Thais. The most memorable release of birds and fish is on the island of Phuket where, at Phra Pradaeng, this act of freedom is preceded by a colorful parade.
Just the same, our Songkran experience in Bangkok was filled with hilarity and wanton gratification. Adding satisfaction to our experience is that we were staying at Novotel Bangkok Platinum, which is on top the Platinum Fashion Mall Building II. It is convenient to walk from the lobby located on the sixth floor down to the fifth floor of the mall. Guests can walk from Building II to Building I by using the bridge on the second floor. The Platinum Fashion Mall features an expansive selection of everything you can think of — clothes, shoes, bags, wigs, bathing suits, pajamas, shorts and more. We just had fun going through the many sections and floors of this amusing haven of shopping delights from sunup to sundown. It is actually our sister Michelle’s ultimate shopping paradise and for this trip, she specified her desire to stay there.
The Platinum Fashion Mall has our favorite jaunts like Black Canyon Coffee for the best Thai iced coffee along with local Thai dishes; and Swensens, which has the most variety of delightful ice cream concoctions. The local cuisine food court on the fifth floor features gustatory choices for everyone.
From Novotel Bangkok Platinum, we also walked to nearby Siam Paragon to shop for grocery delights in its gourmet supermarket and sample the many restaurants that abound. We were fortunate to be in the company of Fr. Gerard De Veza who celebrated Masses daily.
It was a refreshing experience to be physically drenched in the waters of the Songkran festivities and also be spiritually soaked in God’s encouraging word.
Next time you visit Thailand during the festive Songkran celebration, book your stay through Agoda.com at the Novotel Bangkok Platinum hotel and let that infectious smile be yours.
Happy Songkran! Cheers to new beginnings!
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Thai Airways flies daily between Manila and Bangkok. Please contact Malu Oclarence Duenas atmnlsd@thaiairways.com.ph or dial 580-8421.
E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.
