A guide to Songkran, Thailand’s annual New Year festival

Songkran marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year and is usually celebrated from April 13-15. It is filled with unique cultural traditions, making it an excellent time for Globe Aware volunteers to visit.


By Karla Cripps
April 5, 2024

CNN

On the surface, Thailand’s annual Songkran festival appears to be just one great big water fight.

Every April, people young and old take to the streets all over the country, armed with plastic guns and water buckets, and engage in hours-long battles from morning till dusk.

And while that’s certainly the most famous aspect of the celebrations, Songkran is filled with unique cultural traditions, making it an excellent time for travelers to visit.

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How Gen Z Is Changing the Travel Industry

Gen Z’s growing share in the travel market continues to impact the way it operates, in many ways for the better. Do our Globe Aware volunteers who are also a part of Gen Z, agree with this?


How Gen Z Is Changing the Travel Industry — and Where They Plan to Go in 2024

Gen Z’s growing share in the travel market continues to impact the way it operates, in many ways for the better.

By Acacia Gabriel
March 16, 2024
Travel + Leisure

Maybe it is shared distrust in corporate America, but Gen Z is not waiting to see the world. They’re taking it by storm right now, and they are traveling in a way that is far different from other generations.

In fact, more than half of Gen Z adults are already considered frequent travelers. “Millennials paved the way and created this sort of idea that travel is a right, not a privilege,” says travel analyst Lindsey Roeschke, adding that Gen Z has built upon this mindset, continuing to prioritize travel above more traditional paths. While other generations are more likely to wait until they have a certain level of income before spending on trips, 61% of Gen Z travelers earn less than $50,000 annually, according to a study by Bankrate.

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UNESCO declares Thailand’s Songkran festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage

UNESCO declares Thailand’s Songkran festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage

TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Dec 11, 2023

Come April 2024, Thailand will have a perfect reason to celebrate Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year in a much bigger way than ever before. Very recently, UNESCO formally recognized the Songkran in Thailand as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Globe Aware volunteers can take part by booking a volunteer vacation during that time! 


Synopsis

UNESCO formally recognised the Songkran in Thailand, Traditional Thai New Year Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. This designation solidifies the cultural significance and importance of the Songkran festival. For those curious, Songkran is a festival that is celebrated in Thailand every year in the month of April.

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Best rice dishes: 20 delicious specialties from around the world

Globe Aware volunteers have the chance to try many of these delicious dishes on an international volunteer vacation! Which ones have you tried or want to dig into!?


Best rice dishes: 20 delicious specialties from around the world

Terry Ward
CNN
May 4, 2023

With thousands of varieties of rice in the world – jasmine, basmati, arborio and Carolina Gold, to name just a few – is it any surprise the grain defines iconic meals everywhere from Singapore to South Carolina?

Plus, half the world’s population relies on rice as a staple, so there have been plenty of culinary innovators over its long history.

And while famous rice dishes such as sushi, fried rice and paella are among the most prominent in the global spotlight, there are so many more rice recipes out there to put on your radar – and seek out on your travels.

Here are 20 dishes from international crowd-pleasers to some that you may not have tasted – yet:

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30 Cambodian foods every visitor needs to try

Cambodian cuisine has a long history and a diverse range of influences, yet it’s only now becoming known beyond the country’s borders. In fact, the only place you can experience all it has to offer is in the country itself. Here are 30 of the best dishes for Globe Aware volunteers to try!


30 Cambodian foods every visitor needs to try

By Lina Goldberg
CNN
December 22, 2019

Cambodian cuisine has a long history and a diverse range of influences, yet it’s only now becoming known beyond the country’s borders. In fact, the only place you can experience all it has to offer is in the country itself. Here are 30 of the best dishes to try.

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Five Reasons Why This City Is One Of The Top Destinations In Thailand Right Now

Chiang Mai has been described as Thailand’s cultural capital, and its most traditional large city. Globe Aware volunteers will find numerous reasons to volunteer in this historical location!


5 Reasons Why This City Is One Of The Top Destinations In Thailand Right Now

September 5, 2023
Travel Off Path

With its paradisaical islands, centuries-old Buddhist temples, and verdant nature, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular vacation hotspots, having attracted over 15 million tourists in the first seven months of 2023 alone.

Though the majority of travelers either land in Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling financial center and national capital, or Phuket, the entertainment capital and trendiest resort island, the power duo are not the Southeast Asian giant’s only tourism magnets.

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Thailand to impose a ‘tourist tax’ as trend spreads globally

Thailand is implementing a tourist tax, becoming part of a new trend taking hold in destinations around the world.What other countries required Globe Aware volunteers to pay tourism taxes this year? 

Thailand becomes latest country to impose a ‘tourist tax’ as trend spreads globally

Melissa Klurman
Feb. 16, 2023
THE POINTS GUY

Thailand is implementing a tourist tax, becoming part of a new trend taking hold in destinations around the world.

The awe-inspiring country truly feels magical. Bustling Bangkok offers gold-covered temples and fascinating cultural sites, while the country’s gorgeous islands and beautiful beaches have some of the most luxe resorts in the world. The jungle-filled northern province beckons travelers to spend time walking with elephants and exploring pristine nature.

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Here’s Why Vietnam Is Becoming More Popular Among American Tourists

Vietnam is coming into prominence as one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia. Its natural wonders and incredible culture are making it into the mainstream inspiring American tourists to get out of their comfort zone and travel across the world to explore the country.


Vietnam Is Becoming More Popular Among American Tourists – Here’s Why

January 2023
Travel Off Path

Vietnam is coming into prominence as one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia (SEA). Its natural wonders and incredible culture are making it into the mainstream, inspiring American tourists to get out of their comfort zone and travel across the world to explore the country – despite the limited flight options and the complex logistics of getting there.

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Five things you should know before visiting Vietnam

From How To Communicate Better To Food Recommendations, these easy tips will help our Globe Aware volunteers travel like a pro!


Five things you should know before visiting Vietnam

From how to communicate better to food recommendations — these easy tips will help you prepare for your trip like a pro

AATREYEE MOHANTA
April 8, 2023
MY KOLKATA

One of the most attractive holiday destinations in Southeast Asia, travelling to Vietnam can be fun if you know what you’re getting yourself into beforehand. Learning all about the local customs, culture and transportation in advance will not only help avoid problems during your trip, but also make it a memorable one.

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11 reasons why you should travel to Laos right now

Laos is a beautiful, tropical, and mostly untouched country that is becoming an up-and-coming destination for travelers looking for an authentic taste of South-east Asia, due to this, the rewards here are plentiful. It may not be as developed as neighboring Thailand, or Vietnam, though this is exactly Laos’ uniqueness and charm. Experience Laos with Globe Aware.


11 reasons why you should travel to Laos right now

ABHISHEK DWIVEDI
22 March 2021
PICKVISA

Laos
is a beautiful and small country located in Southeast Asia. Myanmar and China surround the country to the northwest, Cambodia to the east, Vietnam to the south, and Thailand. Since ancient times, this country is also called the land of thousand of elephants. That is, the elephant here is famous in the world. People come from each corner of the world to see it. North of Laos is China and North Vietnam, Cambodia in the south, Mekong River on Thailand’s border in the southwest. Due to which the climate here is tropical, about 2/3 of Laos’s area is full of nature’s beauty and forests. Elephant, leopard, cheetah and snake etc., are found in the lush green forests here. If you travel to Laos, you should know that the colloquial language here is Thai, using Sanskrit, Pali and French words. Additionally, French is the second language of royalty. Like Cambodia and Vietnam, Buddhism is the predominant religion here. People like cuisine here very much. If you are a fan of adrenaline, then here are underground river caves, white water rapids and jungle ziplines, which you can enjoy and make your trip memorable. It would be nice to take the pictures to turn this trip into memories. Let’s know why you should travel to Laos.

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