8 Things to Do in Bangkok for a Fun Road Trip During Songkran Festival

Songkran Festival is coming up and what better way to celebrate the New Year than with an adventure to some of Bangkok’s best sights? The Songkran Festival is usually celebrated from April 12 to April 16, but the actual celebration covers three days from April 13 to April 15. The name ‘Songkran’ comes from a Sanskrit word that means movement; the festival is essentially a celebration of when the sun moves from Pisces to Aries, according to the zodiac!

To celebrate the holiday, why not go on one yourself? Road trips are the best way to make the most out of a short holiday because you can explore at your own pace and, most of the time, hit multiple destinations in one trip! There are a variety of Songkran activities available, so a road trip is the best way to be a part of each location’s festivities, or just experience the festival in a unique way.

Renting a car is the best way to explore if you want to travel on yourown time with a flexible itinerary (or even no itinerary at all)! Car rentals are also ideal if you don’t want to worry about public transportation.

Booking a car rental in Thailand for a Bangkok road trip is easy!with Klook. JustVisit the Klook Car Rental page and input your specific pick-up and drop-off location (especially if you’re not returning the car at the same pick-up location) and the number of days you’ll be renting out the car.

Decide on the car for you, depending on the passenger capacity, luggage space, automatic or not, and other factors. After selecting a car, fill out your driver and contact information, pay for your rental, then you’re all set to pick it up!

For more details, check out this complete guide on how to successfully book a car rental for your Bangkok trip.

Now, it’s time to plan out your itinerary! Here are 8 things to do in Bangkok and places to visit for a festive Songkran in Thailand.

Floating markets are a must-experience in Bangkok. There are lots of options when choosing which markets to visit as each one has its own unique charm. Three of the most popular floating markets in Bangkok are: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the largest one in the country; Amphawa Floating Market, which is filled with stalls of local Thai delicacies and where you can spot fireflies at night, and; Maeklong Railway Market, a unique location where a train passes through the middle of the market. Floating markets are easy stops to make on Bangkok road trips for a quick break and for souvenirs!

The City of Ayutthaya is an extremely significant part of Thailand’s history,. The now-modern city is home to some of Thailand’s grandest palaces and fascinating ruins, like the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, which was once used by Thai kings. There’s also the Ayutthaya Historical Park where you’ll be transported to ancient Thailand as the park features actual ruins of the original city. 

With so many sights to see and historical facts to learn about, you can visit all the must-see attractions with the help of a guided tour of Ayutthaya—which you can book on Klook!

If you prefer to learn history through art, then the Jim Thompson House Museum is great stop on your Bangkok road trip. The museum is made up of the collection of American businessman and architect, Jim Thompson. At the museum, visitors can find a fascinating collection of Buddhist statues, traditional Thai paintings, porcelain from China, and more!

Another one of Thailand’s most popular landmarks is Wat Arun, which means “Temple of Dawn,” and is best visited in the early morning when the sunrise reflects off of the temple’s exterior—or, at night when the temple is glowing with lights. 

Road trippers can easily spot the 269-foot tall temple from afar, but the actual journey to the temple includes a ferry ride on the Chao Phraya River. During Songkran, you can observe Buddhist monks and locals perform Thai traditions inside.

Take a break from on-the-ground travel and experience the city from a bird’s-eye view at Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Treat your eyes to an incomparable view of the city from the Mahanakhon’s 74th floor, or feel like you’re walking on air on the building’s rooftop where you’ll find the world’s largest glass floors!

Explore Nonthaburi, the city famous for its exquisite temples and markets! One of the temples you can visit is the Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, which was built 100 years ago, but is still active in practicing Thai traditions. Another attraction you must see in Nonthaburi is Koh Kret, a man-made island known for its impressive pottery, so if you’re looking for a place to get souvenirs, then this is the place! Still curious about this Thai province? Take a trip to the museum of Nonthaburi where different exhibitions on the city’s cultural heritage are always on display.

If you’re exploring Bangkok, then you ought to pay a visit to the Bangkok National Musuem. It’s one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia and was once the former palace of the Vice King—the person regarded to be the King’s heir presumptive. Since it first opened in 1874, the museum has been a place of learning with exhibits on Thai history that date all the way back to the Neolithic age. It also features Asian Buddhist art, such as Indian Gandhara, Vietnamese Chan, and Indonesian Java that art buffs and more will appreciate!

Make a stop at Ancient City, “the world’s largest outdoor museum,” for life-sized replicas and reconstructions of historical monuments! Let the immersive attractions transport you to historical Thailand in just one day. It’s a good stop to make on your road trip to stretch your legs, while learning about the country!

Ancient City is just one of the many experiences in Bangkok that’s perfect for all ages. If you need more ideas for family-friendly activities in Thailand, check out this guide.

Have you been taking notes on the destinations you’re adding to your road trip itinerary for Songkran? It’s always better to plan early, so make sure you book your car rentals and tickets ahead of time before they all get booked in time for the festival.