25/03/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | MAR 25, 2025

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E VERY April, locals and tourists across Thailand come together to welcome the Thai New Year, better known as Songkran, with epic water fights that symbolise cleansing, renewal and joy. If you are planning to join the action, here are five essential tips to ensure you have an enjoyable and hassle-free Songkran experience: Plan your Songkran ‘battlefield’ Songkran is celebrated all over Thailand but here are the top hotspots where you can experience the event: 0 Bangkok If you want to be at the heart of the action, head to Si Lom Road or Khao San Road. These areas turn into massive party zones with thousands of people armed with water guns, loud music and non-stop fun and intense water fights! 0 Chiang Mai Experience a vibrant yet culturally rich Songkran celebration. The Old City Moat becomes a massive water playground, with people joyfully splashing along the streets. It is the ideal spot for those seeking a blend of tradition and excitement. 0 Phuket If you love the beach, Patong Beach is one Songkran hotspot to enjoy water fights, along with the vibrant life and entertainment. Book flights, hotel at best price Avoid last-minute price hikes by booking early. Airlines often offer discounts and flash deals, so

secure your seats to Thailand and save big on your Songkran adventure. Do not just play, rest well too. Book your stay in Thailand with an all-in-one travel app, such as AirAsia Move and enjoy a seamless travel experience. Get affordable airport transfer Book a convenient and affordable airport transfer on your travel app. Whether you are landing in Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai, a pre-arranged airport transfer gets you straight to your accommodation stress-free. Get your Songkran gear ready For the most epic Songkran celebration, you need the right gear. Here is what to pack: 0 Water gun This is your ultimate weapon! Invest in a strong and refillable water gun to keep up with the splash battles. 0 Sunscreen and sunglasses Use the waterproof sunscreen to protect your skin under the sun and wear sunglasses to keep your eyes safe from unexpected water splashes. 0 Waterproof bag Keep your wallet, phone and other valuable assets safe from getting wet. 0 Comfortable clothes and shoes Stay steady and comfortable with quick-drying shoes or grippy sandals, make sure they allow you to run easily and safely during the water fight. And, do not forget to spare a change of clothes or a small towel to dry off when needed.

Songkran is a festival marking the renewal of the spirit.

Thailand’s epic water battle Songkran o Five essential tips to make your trip unforgettable, seamless

Songkran is celebrated in various places in Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Invest in a quality water gun to take part in the water battles.

Getting wet is the name of the game at Songkran.

Mount Fuji hikers to pay fee

HIKERS attempting any of Mount Fuji’s four main trails will be charged an entry fee of 4,000 yen (RM59) from this summer, after local authorities passed a bill earlier last week. A record influx of foreign tourists to Japan has sparked alarm about overcrowding on the nation’s highest mountain, a once-peaceful pilgrimage site. Last year, Yamanashi region, home to Mount Fuji, introduced a 2,000 yen entry fee plus an optional donation for the active volcano’s most popular hiking route — the Yoshida Trail. A cap on daily entries and online reservations were also brought in

on that trail by officials concerned about safety and environmental damage on Fuji’s majestic slopes. The Yoshida Trail fee will be doubled for this year’s July-September climbing season, while neighbouring Shizuoka region passed a bill on March 17 to also charge 4,000 yen for its three trails, which were previously free. In part to the new restrictions, the number of climbers who tackled Mount Fuji declined to 204,316 last year, from 221,322 in 2023, environment ministry data showed. Although climber numbers continue to be eclipsed by pre-pandemic levels, “200,000

hikers is still huge”, Shizuoka prefecture official Natsuko Sodeyama revealed. “There is no other mountain in Japan that attracts that many people in the span of just over two months. So, some restrictions are necessary to ensure their safety.” Mount Fuji is covered in snow for most of the year, but during the summer hiking season many trudge up its steep, rocky slopes through the night to see the sunrise. The symmetrical mountain has been immortalised in countless artworks, including Hokusai’s Great Wave. It last erupted around 300 years ago. – AFP

Those wanting to hike the iconic Japanese mountain will now have to pay a fee. – PEXELSPIC