Anantara Hotels Announces a Month of Festivities for Thai National Elephant Day

Race the River to Victory – Anantara Hotels Announces a Month of Festivities for Thai National Elephant Day

Anantara Hotels, Resort & Spas reveals plans for the first charity-driven celebration of Thailand’s majestic national animal – the elephant. From the banks of the mighty Mekong to the River of Kings, this week-long celebration will link the natural and the urban in two distinctive and quintessentially Thai locations.

Kicking off on March 13, 2019 at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, guests can rub elbows with the gentle giants in their natural habitat, before joining the Elephant Boat Race and River Festival in Bangkok next to the Anantara Riverside Bangkok for electric competition on the water in the form of elephant boat races and a weekend of enormous entertainment from March 29, 2019. Watch from the banks of the Chao Phraya as international teams participate in the age-old cultural tradition of dragon boat racing, paddling unique elephant themed and designed boats on the river.

The spirit of elephants will shape the festival, from the jungle where visitors can get up close and personal with the pachyderms, to Bangkok’s buzzing waterfront where an artistic installation from the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) will make their presence felt.

Tapping into its conservational expertise, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is leading the way in high-impact fundraising for National Elephant Day, aiming to raise significant charitable donations while generating awareness to benefit the future of the Asian elephant.

March 13, 2019
The Mountain Fête
Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) Camp

Perched on a ridge in northern Thailand overlooking the border with Myanmar and Laos, at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort and the neighbouring GTAEF Camp will host a series of elephant-centred events in a picturesque mountain setting.

As part of the celebrations, GTAEF will throw open its doors to local schools, businesses and visitors interested in interacting with the elephants in their natural environment and learning about the work of the foundation that to date has rescued over 60 ex-working elephants from Thailand’s city streets.

A family-friendly affair, the fête will feature such activities as Walking with Giants, an Elephant Buffet, plus an arts and crafts market.

March 29-31, 2019
The Elephant Boat Race
Anantara Riverside Bangkok

The second part of the event is located next to Anantara Bangkok Riverside with elephant boat racing and a fun-filled weekend of sporting and cultural events with something to suit everyone. Specially commissioned elephant heads will decorate the boats. With appearances from international teams as well as Thailand’s own, Navy Seals, the atmosphere on the river will be unmissable.

Whilst the teams battle it out on the Chao Phraya River; on-land entertainment includes the digital dry dock rowing tournament, which is open to all on Friday and Saturday, the Old Siam themed Ladies Day on Saturday with a chance to win a luxury holiday to mini concerts from famous Thai artists, champagne tents, beer gardens and much more family fun to come.

To join Anantara Hotels in celebrating Thailand’s national animal and to support fundraising for their conservation and welfare, please visit https://www.bangkokriverfestival.com/

Tickets:
• 200 Baht per person per day
• VIP tickets are available at 3,000 Baht per person per day (*eligible for free flow of drinks served at the VIP tents (Beer/Wine/Spirits) and light food snacks)
• Early bird promotion: Special VIP ticket at 2,500 Baht (limited availability)
• No admission fee for children under 12
*All ticket sale proceeds go to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) to support elephant projects.

Tickets are available at the tournament entrance, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel, www.eventpop.me/ and www.bangkokriverfestival.com

Location:
The festival ground is located just 100 metre away from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel, Charoennakorn Road, Bangkok

Transportation:
• Limited parking is available at the festival ground, 100 metre away from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
• Complimentary boat transfers between Saphan Taksin Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin) and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort every 20 minutes. Operating hours 7:20 am – 11: 30.
• Free shuttle service from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort’s lobby to the pitch or enjoy a 5 minutes stroll.

– Ends –
Editor’s Notes:
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 35 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Portugal, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa and South America. The brand’s premier vacation ownership programme, Anantara Vacation Club, extends the opportunity to own a share in the Anantara experience with a portfolio of 8 luxurious Club Resorts as well as travel privileges at partner resorts and hotels worldwide.

For more information on Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, please visit www.anantara.com. Follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/anantara; Twitter and Instagram: @anantara_hotels

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Jularak Cholharn (Hai)
Director of Public Relations (Thailand)
T +66 (0)2 365 7677 | E jularak_ch@minor.com

Pattarin Wattanakasaem (Ploy)
Public Relations Manager – Anantara (Thailand)
T +66 (0)2 365 7679 | E pattarin_wa@minor.com