I’ve been going to Siam Songkran since its first edition in 2019. Each year had its own highlights, but something about 2025 felt like coming home. The return to Bravo Arena brought back memories of the early days, when the setup was simpler but everything felt connected. This year managed to take that original feeling and build on it without overdoing anything.
There were proper seating zones and shaded areas that helped when you needed a breather between sets. The food and chill zone was packed with options. I stopped by stalls serving grilled meats, som tam, and crispy pork with rice. That pork stall had a full queue by the time people started arriving in real numbers. Amazon Coffee was set up inside the same area. I went more than once for an iced americano, and every time the booth was already busy.
One part of the festival that stood out was the Muay Thai area. Trainers were holding sessions where people could try simple moves or just watch. It was set along one of the main walkways so you couldn’t miss it. A small crowd was gathered every time I passed. Nearby was a smaller stage focused on Thai DJs. It was a tight space, but the crowd stayed and the sets kept building. I didn’t plan to spend that much time there, but I ended up staying longer than expected because the music pulled me in.
Sets That Stood Out
Dillon Francis had one of the most ridiculous and fun sets of the weekend. He pulled out a giant Thai inhaler mid-set and sniffed it on stage like it was nothing. The crowd around me started laughing, but he didn’t make it a big deal. He just kept going. The music jumped around like his sets always do. Nothing was predictable. There were no awkward pauses, no dragged-out sections. Just him doing what he does best without taking it too seriously.
Yellow Claw and Flosstradamus went back-to-back and it turned into one of those sets where you didn’t want to move. I was front row with friends and we didn’t stop dancing the whole time. Every drop hit the way it should. There were moments when the crowd shouted before anything even happened. The trap sections brought everyone together. It felt exactly like the kind of set we needed.
Hardwell brought out all the bigroom tracks people were hoping for. He gave space for the older stuff but didn’t turn it into a throwback set. The last fifteen minutes were the part that stuck with me most. He dropped his new collab with Sub Zero Project and it hit straight away. Right before ending, he thanked his tour manager who was stepping down after years on the road. It was a quiet moment but it meant something. Then he closed out strong without dragging it out.
Dimitri Vegas and Steve Aoki playing together felt personal. I’ve grown up listening to both of them so seeing them share a set was something I didn’t think I’d get to experience. They didn’t overdo anything. They just played everything they knew would work. It was track after track and every one of them landed. For someone like me, that set was the kind you walk away from smiling without needing to explain why.
Transitions That Deserved Attention
Siam Songkran 2025 took its transitions seriously. Between the big sets, the festival didn’t just rely on background visuals or sponsor reels. Instead, there were short performances that brought Thai culture to the front. Traditional instruments were played live on stage alongside Thai dance routines. The performers came out in full costume and moved across the platform while the crowd watched quietly. It wasn’t something people ignored. Most stayed in place and watched the entire thing.
There was no talking or explanation. It didn’t need any. The performances spoke for themselves. It was clear that Siam Songkran had made a choice to build these parts into the experience rather than treat them as something optional.
At one point, there was a drone show that caught everyone’s attention. The drones moved in unison and created visual shapes that tied back to the Songkran theme. After that, a fireworks sequence lit up the sky. It didn’t feel rushed or thrown in for effect. People actually stopped what they were doing and looked up. For a few minutes, nobody was filming or talking. They just watched.
Siam Songkran didn’t treat these transition moments as background. They gave them space. They gave them meaning. Without forcing anything, it reminded everyone that the festival is still rooted in where it started and why it exists.
Final Thoughts
Siam Songkran 2025 didn’t feel like it was trying to outdo itself. It brought things back to where they worked best. The return to Bravo Arena gave the festival its footing again. The setup was clear. The experience didn’t feel scattered. Everything had a purpose.
The Muay Thai zone made sense where it was. The food and chill area had the right balance. The smaller stage for Thai DJs got real attention. The traditional dance and instrument performances between sets gave people something to stop and watch. The drone show and fireworks were done properly and added something that stuck with people afterward. None of it felt like filler.
I’ve gone every year since 2019. This edition reminded me why. It wasn’t just about the names on the lineup or how loud the production could go. It was about how it all came together. Siam Songkran didn’t try to be something new. It brought back what people liked in the first place and kept it real.
If next year follows the same approach, I’ll be there again. No question.
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