The First King’s Cup Elephant Boat Race and River Festival Takes Place this March

Aside from creating luxury travel experiences, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is renowned for pioneering projects to create awareness of and raise funds for a variety of charities that benefit the environment and local communities. Reinforcing their commitment to conservation, the hospitality brand is now leading the way in high-impact fundraising to coincide with Thai National Elephant Day on March 13. With the King’s Cup Elephant Boat Race and River Festival, Anantara aims to continue its fundraising efforts to ensure the future of the Asian elephant.

From the banks of the Mekong River in the north to the Chao Phraya River in the capital, the week-long celebration will link two distinctive properties, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

The festivities will begin at the picturesque Anantara Golden Triangle Resort and its neighbouring Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) camp on March 13, where guests can get up close and personal with the gentle pachyderms in their natural habitat. A family-friendly fête will feature elephant-centred activities such as Walking with Giants, an Elephant Buffet, an arts and crafts market and an exploration of Northern Thai cuisine, as well as an exclusive VIP evening function.

As part of the celebrations, GTAEF will 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 elephants from Thailand’s city streets.

The second part of the celebration makes its way to the capital, to the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, on March 29. Here, the fun-filled weekend kicks off with elephant boat racing, where international teams and Thailand’s own Navy Seals will participate in the age-old cultural tradition of dragon boat racing, paddling uniquely designed elephant- themed boats on the river.

While teams battle it out on the Chao Phraya River, visitors on-land can keep themselves busy with a range of entertainment such as the Old Siam themed Ladies’ Day, music concerts, champagne tents, beer gardens and the digital dry dock rowing tournament. Bangkok’s buzzing waterfront will also see an artistic installation by the GTAEF.

The Mountain Fête

March 13-14

Anantara Golden Triangle Resort,
Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) Camp

March 29-31

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

To join in the festivities to celebrate Thailand’s national animal and to support fundraising efforts for their conservation and welfare, visit bangkokriverfestival.com.