10 Things to Do in Bangkok in April
Would you like to enjoy warm weather, Thai traditions and the sea? Bangkok awaits you with all that and more!
Edificaciones Bangkok |©Kati
If you want to enjoy the best things to see and do in Bangkok, you must visit this city in April. During this month you will find fun traditions that you can participate in. One of them is the Buddhist New Year.
During April the heat in Bangkok usually increases, so you will enjoy refreshing and typical Thai drinks. I also recommend spending a day at a nearby beach, visiting a water park and much more - be prepared with sunscreen and a swimsuit, Bangkok awaits!
1. Celebrating the Buddhist New Year or Songkran
In the month of April you will have the incredible opportunity to participate in the Buddhist New Year, also known as Songkran which means "astrological passage". This is the Thai New Year, whose celebrations take place in the middle of the month and last up to three days. Get ready to see the interesting traditions of the locals in Bangkok!
Among the most common activities to celebrate this occasion are visits to the best local temples. You should bring food to offer to the Buddhist monks. It is also a common ritual to pour water over Buddha statues. This act symbolizes the purification of sins and bad luck for each person who performs them.
If you go to Khao San Street in Bangkok you will have the opportunity to celebrate the water festival. Basically people do water battles, do you dare to participate? The street closes the passage of vehicles and they are dedicated to celebrate. This celebration comes at a good time, since in the month of April temperatures begin to rise, so you can cool off a little.
In some parts there are even parades of traditional costumes and the Miss Songkran is crowned. It is certainly a spectacle you will love. Keep in mind that some people return to their homes in the interior of the country to celebrate this occasion, so it will be normal to see that transportation will be very busy in the days leading up to the celebration.
2. Take a refreshing food tour in Bangkok
Taking a food tour in Bangkok is one of the best ways to get to know this city. This city is located in the central region of Thailand, so the typical dishes you will find are Pad Thai, curry pastes, shrimp paste and much more. You will also be able to taste the delicious jasmine rice.
If you take this tour in April, you can ask your guide to also take you to taste the most refreshing drinks of the city. Among them is Singha beer, characterized by a low fermentation degree, a blond color and white foam. It is ideal for a hot day and help you continue with the tour.
Another beer you can try is the Chang, with a stronger flavor, but with an alcohol content of about 6.4%. I also recommend trying Thai Iced Tea, whose secret lies in the milk. This can be coconut, condensed or whole, since its purpose is to give a creamy and sweet touch to the tea. You can find it in the streets served in a transparent plastic bag.
You should be careful not to abuse the alcoholic beverages you consume. Also, be sure to have lunch so that you don't feel sick from the alcohol and you can continue exploring the city without inconveniences. On the other hand, I recommend you to take tours that include a private vehicle or take public transportation, for your safety you better not drive drunk.
3. See the tradition of Chakri Day
Chakri Day or Chakri Dynasty Day is a national holiday celebrated every year on April 6. If the date falls on a weekend, the day's celebrations are moved to the following Monday. This date is mostly celebrated by the royal family.
If your trip to Bangkok coincides with this date, it will be a good opportunity to see a long-standing tradition in this country. You may notice that government offices, schools and banks are closed. If you need to go to a bank you can always go to those branches located inside a shopping mall.
The Chakri dynasty has reigned in Thailand since 1782, when King Rama I was crowned. On this day the enthronement is celebrated and, at the same time, the people recognize the work that all the kings have achieved in the country. Some of the ceremonies performed by the royalty are televised, so you will have the opportunity to watch it in your hotel room or go to the place where they are performed.
4. Attend the Surawongse Festival
In early April, the Surawongse Festival is held in Bangkok at the Marriott Hotel. It is an event on the third floor of the hotel where you can enter without having to buy tickets.
The main idea of this festival is to enjoy the food made by all the guest chefs. Many of these chefs are famous and have been awarded for their work. They have even worked in restaurants such as Le Du, one of the most famous restaurants in Thailand.
You should note that you must pay for the food you eat. You can enjoy a quiet evening in a courtyard with natural light and fresh breeze. If you like to enjoy new flavors, this is the ideal event for you.
Details of interest
- Price: free admission.
- When to go: early April.
- Hours: the event is usually held between 5pm and 10pm.
- Location: 262 Thanon Surawong, Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand.
5. Enjoy Babe Fest, a meat and beer festival
Another food-related festival is also held during the first week of April. The Babe Fest is a space for craft beer and meat lovers. If you love this combination you should attend this event. The average entrance fee is 15 €.
In Bangkok there are not too many craft breweries, as their production is mostly foreign. However, one moment where you can try them is this festival. That is why I recommend you to attend if you travel to the Thai capital during this month. You can find more than 30 brands of beer.
Meanwhile, the meat prepared at the festival is of the highest quality. You will be able to choose the sauces and side dishes you prefer. Please note that everything you consume must be paid for separately. In addition to food and drinks, you can enjoy live music.
6. Visit the Pak Khlong Talat flower market
One of the best things to see in Bangkok during April are the seasonal flowers. To see them in all their splendor I recommend you to go to the Pak Khlong Talat flower market in Bangkok. This place is very popular, as this is where you can find the most beautiful and freshest flowers in the city.
If you take a tour in Bangkok you could customize your route and include the Pak Khlong Talat flower market, you won't regret it! Here you will find the protagonist of this month (and also of the month of May): the dok khoon flower, also known as the Thai magnolia, which is one of the most important flowers in Thailand, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.
At the Pak Khlong Talat flower market you will not only find the dok khoon, but also other beautiful fresh flowers. You could even take some seeds with you and plant them at home. If you want to do this, I suggest you ask all the necessary questions about the care of the silver you are interested in so that it can bloom in a place other than Thailand.
In addition to flowers, you will also find spices and herbs that you can use in your kitchen. Take the opportunity and buy everything you need so you can make Thai dishes at home. Note that you can get to this market by land transport or by boat on the Chao Phraya River, so this can be an entertaining experience to complement your visit.
Details of interest
- Price: free entrance to the market.
- Location: Pak Khlong Talat - Wat Kanlayanamit, Khwaeng Wang Burapha Phirom, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
7. Go to the beaches of Koh Samed Island
A good way to spend your time in Thailand is to take a day tour from Bangkok to one of the nearest beaches. If you are traveling in April, a trip to the beach will help you cool off a bit- don't forget to bring your swimsuit and sunscreen!
There are several options you can choose to spend a day at the beach near the city. One of them is the island Koh Samed (or Koh Samet). The main advantage of this one is that it is 220 kilometers away from the city, being the closest island. It is even known as the beach of Bangkok, because although the capital of Thailand is close to the sea, it has no beaches.
Koh Samed is actually a National Park and to enter you must pay an entrance fee of approximately 5 €. However, this amount is not always charged to visitors. When you enter, you can walk around the island and choose one of the beaches that catch your attention. In general they all have white sand and turquoise waters.
The main beach and the one that usually receives the most visitors is Sai Kaew Beach. The closest to it is Ao Pai. If you would like to watch a memorable sunset, I recommend visiting Ao Phrao. However, for many the best of all is Ao Kio, but getting to it is complicated, as it is necessary to walk along the rocks of its neighboring beaches.
Details of interest
- Price: about 5 € to enter the island.
- Duration: you can go at any time.
- Location: Ko Samet, Phe, Mueang Rayong District, Rayong Province, Thailand.
8. Visit a skyscraper bar at night
You can escape the April heat in Bangkok by strolling around the city at night. A good excuse to do so is to visit the best bars in the capital. Many of them are in the best skyscrapers of Bangkok, so it will be great to make this tour or just choose one and spend a nice night.
If you want an unforgettable dinner, I recommend you to go to Vertigo bar and restaurant, located on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel. This is the most popular among tourists thanks to its open-air terrace where you can enjoy the refreshing evening breeze. Besides, from there you will have an excellent view of the city and Lumphini Park.
If this one still doesn't convince you, another place I recommend is the Sirocco Bar, in the Lebua At State Tower. Located on the 62nd floor, this bar became famous thanks to the movie Hangover 2. Note that each cocktail has an average cost of 20 €.
Other options you can try are the Rooftop Bar, on the 83rd floor of the Baiyoke Tower. There you can also visit its observation deck and see the city at night. It is also a good idea to visit the Peruvian bar at Above Eleven, in the Frasier Suites building. If you want to have a romantic date, I recommend you to visit The Rooftop at Sala Rattanakosin, located next to the river and in front of the Wat Arun temple.
9. Spend a day at the Dreamworld water park
If you don't want to travel to the beach, but are in the mood for something more adventure-filled, I recommend visiting Dreamworld. It is a water amusement park located in the district of Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani province, Thailand. This place is only 43 kilometers away from Bangkok, so you can get there relatively quickly.
When you arrive, you will be able to try all its attractions, among which its three incredible roller coasters stand out. You should definitely include this park among the best things to do with kids in Bangkok, as it is designed for them. You will see many playhouses and activities for every age group.
Enjoy the Bangkok sun in April without getting overheated. Take a dip in the various swimming pools and spend a nice day with your family. You can even enjoy shows in air-conditioned venues and eat whatever you want at the various food stalls inside the park.
Details of interest
- Price: around 15 €.
- Duration: from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Location: Dream World, 62, Bueng Yitho, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani 12130, Thailand.
10. Take a Chao Phraya river cruise by night
As I mentioned to you earlier, night is a good time to stroll around Bangkok during the month of April. To make your evening more entertaining, I recommend you to take one of the best cruises in Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river.
From the boat you will have an excellent view of the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, as they are fully illuminated. It is best to choose a dinner cruise, preferably with an international buffet. Depending on the type of cruise, you can enjoy a live music show.
Undoubtedly, this can be a romantic and very special plan. Contemplate the night and enjoy the night weather. This can be a great way to end a day of exploring Bangkok.
What is the weather like during April in Bangkok?
During April temperatures are very high throughout Thailand, especially in Bangkok and the northern regions. Temperatures can reach up to 40 °C, so many do not consider this month as the best time to travel to Bangkok.
Even the humidity can be a bit stifling and rainfall very scarce, so the atmosphere does not cool down. For this reason, it is recommended to plan outdoor activities only in the morning or in the evening, when the sun's rays are not as strong. Indoor activities are a good alternative.
How is the tourist flow and prices during April in Bangkok?
In Bangkok, the whirlwind city, there is always a lot of tourist activity. However, during the month of April the tourist flow starts to drop. This may be due to the high temperatures during this month.
On the other hand, prices also go down. If you don't mind the heat and you have free time in that month, it may be a good option to travel to the Thai capital. As there are fewer tourists in this month, you could enjoy more of the tourist attractions and have a pleasant vacation in Thailand.