Bangkokians will be in the mood to celebrate Thai New Year before anyone else, as two luxury shopping malls are bringing many Songkran-themed activities right to the heart of city.
The Sabai Jai Market begins on Wednesday to April 17. Photos courtesy of Central Emabssy
Kicking off today and running until April 21, A Sense Of Thai is an annual event organised by Central Embassy and Central Chidlom to get all visitors to dress in traditional Thai costumes and explore the atmosphere of traditional Songkran on their premises.
This year, Central Embassy has brought a replica of a sacred Buddha statue from Wat Phanan Choeng in Ayutthaya for everyone to bathe for blessings.
On the ground floor will be a spectacular four-storey lighting-lantern display that comes with a 10-minute lighting show, to be presented every hour every day. There are also activities to raise funds for the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand as well as Thai dessert-making workshops today and again from April 12-16.
Exclusively from Tuesday to April 12 at the Balcony on the second floor, the Heritage Fine Art and Jewelry shop will hold a pop-up market offering luxury summer Thai products as well as a free workshop on how to make Thai traditional perfume. Herbal ice pops will be given away.
Running on the fifth floor for one week from Wednesday to April 17 will be the Sabai Jai Market, which gathers 30 stalls of clothing, food and contemporary Thai gifts, with a live music performance in the afternoon.
From April 12-16, many restaurants will serve special Songkran menus at the Open House on the 6th floor. Creative workshops will be prepared for children and adults there.
To please all foodies throughout the 18-day festival, the favourite Eathai zone on the lower ground floor is holding a floating market where famous restaurants will serve their signature menus as well as the royal Thai dish of khao chae. Many craft workshops will be conducted and traditional performances will be staged there on selected dates.
At the adjacent Central Chidlom, the festival will run from April 12-16. After paying respect and pouring water on Buddha statues on loan from many temples in Bangkok on the first floor, visitors are invited to witness an installation of thousands of colourful Thai kites, which will be displayed at the passage on the second floor that links the shopping mall with Central Embassy.
Many Songkran-themed workshops will be presented on the third floor from April 13-15, where cultural performances will also be staged.
Call 02-119-7777 ext 2001.
