Page 38 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2024

Waterfall City Travel

YOUR VERY OWN

THAILAND BUCKET LIST

A month-by-month guide for South Africans visiting Thailand in 2024
T hailand is one of the world’s For those needing an inspirational nudge travel by boat to an underwater location

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

36 Waterfall City Issue 3 2024