Bangkok (Thailand) – April 17, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Siam Summer Getaway unites One Siam Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery and welcomes Songkran to experience the beautiful culture, worship the sacred ancient Buddha, taste authentic Thai dishes and offer various travel experiences from today until April 16, 2018.

Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., a consortium of the three leading "One Siam" shopping centers – Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery – in partnership with the government and private sector, hosted the "Siam Summer Getaway" from April 12th to 16th, 2018, across the three centers. The event aimed to celebrate and preserve the rich culture of the Songkran Festival and to promote tourism. Nine sacred Buddha statues were brought to the centers for veneration. Exhibitions of digital installation art and activities such as demonstrations of Thai incense (nam-ob, or Thai perfume) and bai-toey flower making were also featured. Visitors could also explore over 50 well-known Thai restaurants and eateries offering their specialties throughout the three centers.

The opening ceremony took place on Thursday, April 12, 2018, in the Hall of Fame on the M floor of Siam Paragon. Minister of Culture Weera Rojpotchanarat presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by the Secretary of State for Culture, Kitayapong Siri, Naratipe Ruttapradid, CEO of Siam Piwat, and the well-known actors Panjan-Porama Imanothai and Prang-Kannarun Wongkhajonkai. Both wore traditional Thai attire and valuable diamond jewelry from Der Mond Jewelry worth over 50 million baht and participated in various activities of the event.

Naratipe Ruttapradid, Senior Executive Vice President – ​​Operations of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., explained: “To coincide with this year’s Songkran Festival, Siam Piwat, in partnership with three leading shopping centers in the Siam district, launched the ‘Siam Summer Getaway’ event. This allowed Thais and international tourists to experience traditional Thai atmosphere and culture. At Siam Paragon, a destination for tourists from around the world, nine sacred Buddha statues – treasures of the kingdom from the National Museum in Bangkok – were displayed, giving visitors the opportunity to pay their respects during the festival. In addition, various activities and an exhibition featuring traditional water ceremonies and blessing rituals were organized. Over 50 famous Thai dishes were showcased as part of the event. At Siam Center, Ideaopolis offered an exhibition of simulated destinations to inspire travelers for the summer, and a well-known café invited coffee lovers to enjoy aromatic coffee specialties. At Siam Discovery, the At the Exploratorium, visitors could discover themselves through digital installation art. Participants in these activities can post their travel photos on Instagram and have the chance to win free flights for a year. Furthermore, many other entertaining activities await Thai and international tourists.

The highlight of this year's Songkran celebrations at Siam Paragon was themed "Siam Paragon Wonderful Songkran." Tourists were welcomed with Thai flair, and the campaign to promote traditional Thai clothing was supported. In collaboration with the Department of Fine Arts and the Department of Cultural Promotion of the Ministry of Culture, Siam Paragon presented nine sacred, antique Buddha statues, considered treasures of the kingdom, in the Hall of Fame on the lower level of the shopping center.

The nine sacred Buddha statues include: 1. Standing Buddha in Double Sermon, 2. Medicine Buddha, 3. Buddha with a Talapatta, 4. Reclining Buddha, 5. Buddha Saving Relatives from a Dispute, 6. Phra Hai Sok (Buddha Healing Grief), 7. Phra Chai of Nakhon Ratchasima, 8. Phra Buddha Sihing in the Phutthai Sawan Chapel, and 9. Buddha in Meditation. In addition, there were demonstrations of making Thai incense (Nam-ob or Thai perfume) and decorating Bai-Toey flowers for Buddha worship—traditional customs of Suvarnabhumi residents. An exhibit on the history of the Thai Songkran festival informed visitors and foreigners about Thailand's rich history and traditions.

Parc Paragon hosted the "Food Fest: Taste of Thai Tradition" during the Songkran Festival, showcasing over 50 famous and authentic Thai dishes across five categories: rice dishes, noodles, desserts, savory dishes, and drinks. Highlights included Khao Chae Phetchaburi (cold-soaked rice), Talad Nang Lerng, Prang Nara Pork Ball, Chao Wang Fried Pork Siriraj Wang Lang, Bangmeen Grilled Chicken and Beef, Baan Kanom Thai Chao Wang The Old Siam, and Mae Kee Ratchawat Pork Sago (steamed rice dumplings). The event was decorated with natural materials, reflecting the art, culture, and richness of the Kingdom of Thailand from a modern, urban perspective.

At Siam Center, the "City of Ideas," you can get ready for summer with the "SIAM CENTER Summer Journey Exhibition." The exhibition offers visitors the chance to discover new experiences in a simulated travel destination, sparking their creativity and wanderlust for this summer. There's also the trendy "Chiang Mai RK Café by Omnia," which delights coffee lovers with the aroma of fresh coffee beans, and the cool "Museum of Everything Jinglebell"—a chic café showcasing vintage items from around the world in a small museum setting, inviting visitors to browse and explore. The exhibition runs until May 31, 2018.

Siam Discovery, the Exploratorium, invites you to discover the world and find new identities. As part of the "Summer Exploratorium" campaign, we're showcasing your stunning travel photos as digital installation art. Post them on Instagram using the hashtags #godiscoversummer and #siamdiscovery. EyeEm, a global photography network, will judge the photos and select the winners. The first prize is a year of free flights with AirAsia. The ten other winners will each receive a Siam Discovery gift certificate worth 5,000 Baht. The photo contest runs until April 30. In addition, Siam Discovery is offering traditional Thai specialties from Rattanakosin Island at Discovery Plaza, including Chao Le Crispy Mussel Pancakes, Nai Aun Yen Ta Fo Noodles, Steamed Chive Dumplings Khun Mae, and Thai Pandan Short Vermicelli in palm sugar coconut milk from St. Louis.

In addition, food lovers who present receipts from restaurants in three shopping centers worth at least 1,000 Baht between now and April 16, and who dress in traditional Thai clothing, will receive a Siam gift card worth 500 Baht (limited number available) for dining and shopping at participating restaurants and shops in Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery.

For a top-tier entertainment destination like Sea Life Bangkok, the underwater adventure begins this summer with "An Amazing Story from the Deep Sea," which combines cutting-edge technology with animation on a screen over 10 meters in diameter. Kid Zania Bangkok invites children to enjoy Thai fun activities such as a tom-tom parade (a tall, narrow drum) and special shows. Paragon Cineplex, known as Thailand's largest cinema, offers a second ticket free to visitors wearing traditional Thai clothing. AIS Imax VR is giving film fans a 50% discount on tickets for Ready Player One.

Let us together preserve Thai culture at the great Songkran Festival, which is filled with a joyful atmosphere, at the Siam Summer Getaway from today until April 16, 2018 at Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery.