Songkran 2025 - a trip report

[Raposa]

First Impressions of Bangkok

Alright, posting from Silom, Bangkok, where I have landed in time for the chaos and glory that is pre-Songkran.

So, the moment you step out into Silom, the heat hits you like a very moist wall. It’s not just hot—it’s sultry, sticky, and oddly…promising? Within minutes, you’re surrounded by packs of very attractive, mostly Asian guys (we’re talking the full East Asian fantasy—Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese) in tank tops and gym shorts, strutting around like it’s Milan Fashion Week but with more glistening abs. Everyone’s clearly here for Gcircuit, the pool parties, and the upcoming water-soaked madness of Songkran.

The vibe? Flirtatious. Borderline outrageous. Eye contact here isn’t accidental—it’s practically a come-on. I locked eyes with someone who looked like a K-pop backup dancer and briefly forgot how to walk.

Soi 2 and Soi 4 are basically catwalks at this point. Locals, expats, and tourists are all out here trying to serve looks, charm, and just enough energy to make you question all your life choices. The energy is sexy but fun—no one’s taking it too seriously, except their gym and beauty routines, clearly.

Grindr? A warzone. I opened it once, was met with a wall of shirtless torsos and Gcircuit passes, and promptly closed it for the sake of my self-esteem. (Honestly, I’m about two filtered pics away from uploading a potato with eyes and seeing if it gets more taps.)

The bars—Balcony, Telephone, etc.—are already buzzing by 6 PM. Guys spilling into the streets, cocktails in hand, chatting like it’s Pride every night (which, here, it sort of is). There’s something genuinely lovely about it, though—smiles are easy, conversations flow, and for all the hotness on display, it still feels welcoming. You don’t have to be a six-pack-influencer type to feel like you belong. Although, let’s be real, it helps.

And you can feel it building—the anticipation. Water guns are popping up everywhere, trucks loaded with buckets are appearing on street corners, and everyone’s gearing up for Bangkok’s biggest gay mess of the year. If this is the pre-party, I’m slightly terrified of what actual Songkran will look like—but also, weirdly excited?

So yeah, first impressions: Bangkok feels like a dream… one where everyone is gorgeous, sweaty, and just slightly too cool for me—but in a charming way.

 

[jason1975]

Pinching myself for not realising this year's Songkran is on a weekend. I could have gone to Bangkok to join in the celebrations!

[ichigo]

[jason1975]

[Patanawet]

wot AM i doing???
Ironing a shirt to go out Songkraning !!!!

[10tazione]

7 hours ago, Raposa said:

question all your life choices.

Now, did you get some answers too?

[Raposa]

Songkran Pool Party at SO/ Bangkok 

Right, here’s the lowdown on the SO/ Bangkok Songkran pool party—because what better way to celebrate Thai New Year than by half-drowning in overpriced cocktails and being hypnotised by the back muscles of beautiful young Korean men?

I dragged my boyfriend of the week along (he had forgotten his flip flops so I gave him a pair of cute hotel slippers 🥰 ). We arrived early, mostly because we’d heard the queue gets biblical and we were determined to snag a decent spot with both shade and a clear view of the pool. Priorities, you know.

The first thing we saw upon entering—and I swear I’m not being dramatic—was a vision. A group of young Koreans, sculpted like they’d walked off the cover of Men’s Health: Seoul Edition, standing near the water’s edge in matching swim shorts. And then it happened: he turned around. One of them. His back was… something else entirely. The kind of back that poets would write odes to if they weren’t too distracted by the lower half. Slim but athletic, not bulky—just enough muscle to trace the perfect V. There was this subtle dance happening across his shoulder blades every time he moved, I was so totally mesmerised that I forgot to go to the bar to buy drinks for a second.

The crowd was mixed at first—a fairly even ratio of gays, straights, and a few who were clearly just there for the Instagram content. There were a few muscled circuit boys, twinky tourists from Taiwan, a few bears lounging in speedos, and that one older German couple who were clearly having the time of their lives dancing like it was Berghain in 2003.

We eventually settled in near a group of Spanish lads from Madrid who were delightfully tipsy and wearing matching metallic short-shorts. One of them, Leo, claimed he’d lost his shirt and his ex in the same afternoon. We chatted about sangria, and which body parts were most likely to get accidentally groped in the pool (all of them).

As the sun dropped behind the skyline, the energy shifted. The straights slowly filtered out or huddled awkwardly in corners while the gays fully took over—like glittery aquatic conquistadors. The music went from tropical house to deep-throbbing circuit beats. People started dancing in the water, on the sunbeds, on each other. A few guests had clearly brought go-go boys from the bars and they added just the right amount of campy chaos to the evening.

I lost my boyfriend for about twenty minutes and found him being fed tequila by a group of Brazilian boys with bodies that defied biology.

In the end, we left soaked, sun-kissed, and just a little bit in love with Songkran (and maybe also with that Korean guy’s back—but let’s not dwell). It was the kind of party that leaves you a bit dazed, a bit deaf, and totally buzzing. Songkran is madness, yes, but if you embrace it—and book a room near the lifts—you’ll have an unforgettable time.

Would go again.

[khaolakguy]

Wow, that does sound fun! 

Last year I went to check out the top floor terrace at SO which has good cocktails and a great view at dusk across Lumpini.

[floridarob]

8 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

Last year I went to check out the top floor terrace at SO which has good cocktails

Pepsi Products as mixers 🤢

[Patanawet]

On 4/13/2025 at 9:39 AM, jason1975 said:

Pinching myself for not realising this year's Songkran is on a weekend. I could have gone to Bangkok to join in the celebrations!

Not sure why that would make a difference.
3 Songkran days are a holiday anyway and at least one compensation day.

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, Patanawet said:

Not sure why that would make a difference.
3 Songkran days are a holiday anyway and at least one compensation day.

in Thailand , yes , but in other countries one need to take time off if Songkran is mid week

[jason1975]

My regular guy is so afraid of getting his white shoes and socks wet during this Songkran.

He puts them in a plastic bag when he reports to work at his bar.

He walks in his sandals then changes to his white shoes and socks at the bar!

[reader]

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration estimated that over 167,00 took part in Songkran activities in the Silom area on the weekend (April 12 and 13) while over 197,000 visited Khao San Road during the same period. From what I am told by friends in the bars, Raposa's report and the photo above, it's been a young Asian crowd. (photo credit Bangkok Post).

[vinapu]

eye candy abound but something tells me it was good I stay home as crowds look insane

[vaughn]

Is the water splashing over in Silom now?

I've been in Pattaya but i got sick on day 1 so have had to rest and recover and avoid getting wet (as much as possible). going up to bangkok tomorrow, so i'll likely miss the action i'm guessing.