Page 34 - FWG Issue 2 March 2024

Travel

YOUR VERY OWN

THAILAND BUCKET LIST

A month-by-month guide for South Africans visiting Thailand in 2024

hailand is one of the world’s top Sunlit serenades in January the month to visit Thailand. The elephant
travel destinations – and for good The beginning of the year is peak season in is Thailand’s national animal and 13 March
reason. From island-hopping and Thailand. You can expect sun-filled days and is National Thai Elephant Day. To celebrate
Tcultural exploration to shopping mild evenings with little chance of rain. As the day, tourists can visit several different
and water-based activities, Thailand has such, it’s the ideal time to visit a festival or elephant sanctuaries, including the Elephant
much to share with the world. It’s no outdoor event. Some of the month’s most National Park – one of Thailand’s most
surprise that millions of foreigners flock to popular events include Bangkok’s ‘Concert popular conservation projects. Elephant
Thailand yearly – in fact, 2023 saw over 27 in the Park,’ a unique musical attraction Haven in Kanchanaburi is also a great option,
million tourists touch down on Thai shores. attended by a flurry of international visitors as is the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. At these
Among the most frequent visitors to the yearly. The concerts, held every Sunday sanctuaries, visitors can observe these
Land of Smiles are South Africans, many during January and February, showcasing majestic giants in their natural environments,
looking for a tropical getaway or a luxurious a selection of music, from top-charting pop play with them in mud pools, or do volunteer
break from the hustle and bustle. hits to Broadway medleys as well as classical work – the perfect chance to give back.
music and traditional Thai favourites. The
“2024 might just be the year when you best part? Admission is free, and there are Grab your water gun in April
take the chance to treat yourself to some many different public transport options to Arguably, no other event is as
well-earned bucket-list longings. The good travel to and from the event. synonymous with Thai culture as the
news is that Thailand is one destination that Songkran Festival. The festival, which
ticks all the boxes. From lovers of culinary February: Love beneath the waves centres around water play, is hosted in
experiences to travellers looking for a February is the month of love for people April every year to celebrate the Thai New
mind and body reset and eco-tourists, we worldwide, and for South Africans looking to Year. During Songkran, people engage in
welcome many different types of visitors get married in true communal Thai fashion, world-famous water fights, but there’s also
and cater to every wanderlust wish. it’s the month to be in Thailand. In what a spiritual component to the festival, which
has become an internationally renowned sees people visiting temples for purification
What makes travelling to Thailand simpler spectacle of love, hundreds of local and rituals and blessing ceremonies. April is a
and hassle-free compared to other overseas foreign couples visit Thailand in February great time to be in Thailand if what you’re
destinations is that South Africans don’t to participate in the Trang Underwater after is a chance to see all the islands and
need a visa to enter Thailand for up to 30 Wedding. Couples are paraded through the towns in one go because each region
days for tourism purposes. It’s as easy as streets of Trang town and then travel by boat celebrates the festival in unique ways.
booking a flight, packing a bag, and making to an underwater location where they slip on
your escape to a country that quite literally scuba gear over their wedding garb and tie Explore Michelin starred restaurants in
has it all,” says Sadudee Sangnil, Director of the knot underwater. The ceremony comes May
the Tourism Authority of Thailand for the complete with a ceremonial waterproof South Africans love good food, and if there
UK, Ireland, and South Africa. marriage certificate – what’s not to love about is one reason to visit Thailand, exploring
this unique way of starting an incredible new its culinary gems should be one of the
For those needing an inspirational nudge in journey together? reasons. Michelin Guide, the internationally
the right direction, Sangnil has this month- acclaimed culinary authority, has once
to-month guide of what Thailand has to Conservation and connection in March again celebrated Thailand’s vibrant and
offer: For the animal-loving travellers, March is diverse culinary scene by showcasing

Fourways Gardens • 32 • March 2024