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Thailand: Songkran Water Festival

Arm yourself with water guns, super soakers and a sense of adventure if you plan on joining this gay Songkran tour.

Cannonball into The Land of Smiles on this sopping Songkran adventure. Our journey begins on the sandy shores of Phuket and Krabi, two popular resort destinations on Thailand’s south-west coast. Expect plenty of optional watersports like sea kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. Then it’s off to the country’s mountainous north where we’ll get doused in culture, cuisine and nature. Specifically we’ll visit stunning Buddhist temples, devour a delicious Thai cooking class and even enjoy a visit to a respected elephant sanctuary. Our journey concludes in big gay Bangkok where a tsunami of commotion awaits—Songkran kicks off just as we arrive! Although spiritual in nature, the festival is best known as the world’s largest water fight. Together (and properly attired in tropical shirts) we’ll hit the streets to participate in this wet, wild and completely unforgettable holiday. As the old circuit ditty goes, “let’s get soaking wet!”

If you’re interested in visiting The Land of Smiles but these dates don’t work, check out our Thailand: Temples & Beaches and Thailand: New Year Celebration tours.


Quick Facts


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Get absolutely drenched on the streets of Bangkok during the world’s largest water fight, Songkran
  • Learn about, and spend time with, the majestic Asian Elephant
  • Swim, snorkel, sunbathe and explore Krabi’s tropical islands and beaches by private speed boat
  • Enjoy Bangkok’s rowdy gay nightlife along Silom 2
  • Kayak into the mysterious caves of Phang Nga Bay’s limestone towers
  • Tuk tuk through Bangkok on a delicious street food tour, nibbling everything from crispy catfish to spicy red papaya
  • Braise, broil and fry your very own three-course dinner during a fiery Thai cooking class
  • Explore the Grand Palace, home to the King of Siam
  • Find your zen in ancient Buddhist temples and at important spiritual sites
  • Shop for the perfect souvenir at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
  • Craft your own krathong, a buoyant, all-natural basket, and set it afloat after dark to stir up the bioluminescent plankton

DATES AND PRICES

2024
April 6-15, 2024 (From $2,995 USD)
ON REQUEST
  • Tour Prices - All tour prices are in USD and based on double/twin occupancy
    • Tour Price: $2,995.00 per person
  • Single Supplement (Optional) - All single supplement prices are in USD and additional to the tour price
    • Single Supplement: $800.00 per person
  • Payment Terms: $750 Deposit - Balance Due 60 Days Before Departure
  • Guides and Hosts for this trip: Tony (Jaturaporn)
2025
April 7-16, 2025 (From $3,195 USD)
OPEN
  • Tour Prices - All tour prices are in USD and based on double/twin occupancy
    • Tour Price: $3,195.00 per person
  • Single Supplement (Optional) - All single supplement prices are in USD and additional to the tour price
    • Single Supplement: $800.00 per person
  • Payment Terms: $750 Deposit - Balance Due 90 Days before trip
  • Guides and Hosts for this trip: Tony (Jaturaporn)
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Tour Map

ITINERARY

Day 1 Phuket

Sawadee Krap! Welcome to Phuket. And thank you for joining our gay Songkran adventure. Our adventure begins at 4pm with a brief Welcome Meeting followed by a short orientation walk around the popular tropical destination. Then we’ll savour an incredible Thai Welcome Dinner at one of Patong’s most renowned restaurants. Thaan hai aroi na khrap! (Bon Appetit!)

Day 2 Phuket

Good morning, Gentlemen. After a leisurely breakfast you’ll have a little free time to wander the loud and lively streets of Patong for souvenirs and postcards. We’ll convene around 11:30am for our full-day sea kayaking experience. For this excursion we’ll board a pontoon boat and jet over to Phang Nga Bay’s limestone karstic islands where quiet lagoons and marine caves await. For the wildlife enthusiasts among us, these islands are home to macaques, water monitors, kingfishers, mudskippers, egrets and brahminy kites. It’s here we’ll board sea kayaks and tour the beautiful ecosystem. Back on our boat we’ll enjoy both a fabulous lunch and dinner as well as a quick tutorial on how to make your own krathong (buoyant, all-natural decorated baskets). Just after sunset we’ll paddle into a dark cave once more and release our lit krathong into the sea. If we’re lucky, the candlelight will stir up the bioluminescent plankton.

Day 3 Krabi

This morning we will board a private land transfer and drive to quiet Krabi. Perhaps pre-download a podcast or two as the drive can take up to 4 hours. Krabi has become a popular tourist destination thanks to its crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and striking karst peaks. If the scenery feels hauntingly familiar, you may remember the tropical towers from 1974’s 007: The Man with the Golden Gun. While we’ll arrange an optional group dinner this evening, feel free to enjoy the region’s fragrant cuisine on your own.

Day 4 Krabi

After a leisurely breakfast we board a private speedboat to explore the limestone monoliths and lush islands that define the region. We’ll swim, snorkel and sunbathe off the coast of four distinct islands before enjoying more time on the powdery beaches. There is nothing on our itinerary this evening, so kick back and enjoy an extra martini or four.

Day 5 Chiang Mai

Today we leave the sand and sea behind in favour of Thailand’s northern capital, Chiang Mai. This cool, mountainous region is known for its deep Buddhist traditions and sleepy aura. Around 4pm we’ll gather for a delicious (and informative!) Thai cooking class. We’ll meet our local instructor at a busy market where they’ll point out regional ingredients, fragrant spices and exotic fruit. From here we’ll venture to an outdoor classroom where our instructor will provide a clear demonstration before we chop, broil, bake and fry our very own 3-course Thai dinner. Then it’s back to the hotel and an optional visit to one of Chiang Mai’s local gay bars for the region’s popular Chang beer.

Please note: Today’s flight is not included in the cost of the tour. Please see Important Information for a special note on purchasing domestic airfare.

Day 6 Chiang Mai

Prepare for the biggest day of our adventure, which will be spent at a sanctuary for rescued Asian elephants. We’ll meet the friendly giants and their calves before following them to a watering hole to watch them play in the mud. Our private mahout (elephant keeper) will teach us about the importance of these magnificent beasts in Thai culture. We’ll also get our hands dirty preparing elephant food to be consumed later. Please note: for the protection of yourself and the elephants, tourists are not allowed to pet or ride the animals. Lunch at the sanctuary is included, and tonight you are free to enjoy some free time in this bustling city. 

Day 7 Chiang Mai

Today you have a free morning and afternoon to enjoy any number of optional activities in the area, including but not limited to ziplining and/or white water rafting. No matter how you choose to spend your day, we’ll reconvene at 5pm to delve into Chiang Mai’s Buddhist side at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The temple is perched on the hill overlooking Chiang Mai allowing some pretty spectacular views. At this gorgeous temple we’ll learn a little more about the religion and it’s importance to Thai people past and present. Then it’s off to The River Market Restaurant for an aromatic Thai dinner followed by some shopping at the exciting (if not overwhelming) Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Our evening concludes at the hilarious included Chiang Mai Cabaret performance. Local Queens will make you squirm and squeal as they perform everything from Whitney’s power ballads to Kylie’s dance anthems.

Day 8 Bangkok

Hey ho, it’s off to Bangkok we go! After an early breakfast we’ll fly south to the country’s massive capital to celebrate Songkran. Bangkok can often overwhelm visitors who aren’t prepared for her congested streets and chaotic sidewalks. But below this bustling exterior is a fascinating city with a sweeping history, exceptional diversity, underground arts and culture scenes, and some of Southeast Asia’s most lauded restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, after we drop off our luggage, we’ll board tuk tuks and begin our private street food tour. We’ll taste spicy raw papaya salad, deep-fried catfish and spicy pork meatballs. To break things up we’ll also visit the blossoming flower market before finishing our sumptuous adventure at the city’s best Pad Thai joint—don’t worry about the inevitable queue as we’ve secured a special reservation and we can walk right in. If the group is up for it we can even enjoy our first brew in Silom 2, the city’s queer strip.

Please note: Today’s flight is not included in the cost of the tour. Please see Important Information for a special note on purchasing domestic airfare.

Day 9 Bangkok

If you aren’t too tuckered out this morning, you’re welcome to join us on our included big Bangkok city tour. We’ll begin at Wat Po where you can grab a selfie with the reclining Buddha. Then we’ll stroll the impressive Grand Palace and appreciate its magnificent architecture. Finally, we’ll swing by the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum before lunch at a beloved local restaurant. After returning to our hotel you’ll have lots of free time to battle the rowdy crowds that have gathered for Songkran. Arm yourself with goggles, a super soaker and some water bombs before heading out into the streets—this is literally the world’s largest water fight! Tonight we have our official Farewell Dinner followed by more Songkran shenanigans along Silom Road. If the group is up for it, a final dip into Silom 2 can also be arranged.

Day 10 Departure

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart or further explore at your leisure. Please note: today is the final day of Songkran and there will still be plenty to do and see if you wish to extend your stay. If not, thank you for joining our big gay Songkran adventure. Safe journey home!


GUIDES AND HOSTS

THAILAND GROUP LEADER

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

  • A gay English speaking local guide throughout
  • Arrival & departure transfers to/from Out Adventures’ joining/finishing point hotel
  • Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Gratuities for drivers, porters, and included activities and meals 
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • All land transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles
  • A $50 USD Rainbow Railroad donation to help resettle LGBTQ+ refugees. Read more here.

WHAT ISN’T INCLUDED?

  • International airfare & domestic airfare (details will be provided when the official Trip Guarantee is sent to group)
  • International departure taxes
  • Optional activities
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinks with included lunches and dinners
  • Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers. Click here for more details.
  • Gratuities for local guide (budget approximately $50-$80 USD)
  • All items of a personal nature (laundry, drinks, etc.)
  • Visa fees
  • COVID-19 rapid tests, or any expenses related to a guest contracting COVID-19. Click here for more details

LGBT INFO FOR Thailand

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

What to bring, visa information, required
vaccinations, travel insurance and more.
TELL ME EVERYTHING!

EXAMPLES OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Patong
Hotel Clover Patong
Premiere Balcony
Patong
Hotel Clover Patong
Lobby
Patong
Hotel Clover Patong
Pool
Krabi
Pakasai Resort
Deluxe Chalet
Krabi
Pakasai Resort
Deluxe Chalet
Krabi
Pakasai Resort
Pool
Chiang Mai
The Rim Resort
Exterior
Chiang Mai
The Rim Resort
Supreme Deluxe
Chiang Mai
The Rim Resort
Pool
Bangkok
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G
Exterior
Bangkok
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G
Deluxe G
Bangkok
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G
Washroom
Bangkok
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G
Pool


Reviews

Some from our travellers

Anthony A.

There are many awesome activities
Thailand: Songkran Water Festival
Rating:

Be prepared for the intense heat! There are many awesome activities, but some are more commercial than others. At times, you will feel like the typical tourist, and at other times you will feel like you are truly experiencing the Thai culture.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
TRANSPORTATION:
MEALS:
GUIDE:
See All Reviews


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CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

From $2,995 USD
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We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

Who's it for?

While these trips typically attract gay men, all genders are welcome, and we encourage friends and family to join the fun as well.

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Accommodations

All accommodations on Out Adventures tours include breakfast and are located in areas central to our activities. All amenities are examples only, and may differ from hotel to hotel.

4-Star Hotels: Very comfortable and well-decorated rooms along with quality amenities such as a stylish restaurant and/or bar, a fitness centre, and a pool/sauna. Customer service is very good, and there is usually a concierge.

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Physical Rating: 2 - LIGHT

Learn More

This trip is fully booked but cancellations occur. If you’d like to be contacted if space opens up, please click “Book Now”, select the appropriate departure and you will be prompted to provide limited information.

If you are a solo traveller willing to share a room with another solo traveller, please select Shared/Twin Room when booking this tour.

If you are a solo traveller interested in booking a private room, please select single supplement when booking this tour (based on availability). If you are willing to share a room with another solo traveller, please select Solo Shared.

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This departure is open for booking!

This trip is available but we are close to departure and will need to confirm services such as hotels and activities before confirming you on the trip. The process can take up to 5 business days. If you are seriously interested in this trip, please complete the On Request Booking form and one of our team members will get back to you with next steps.

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