THAI FESTIVALS

The festivals in thailandia are numerous and represent taken root expression of the determination to conserve the religious and cultural traditions of the population and in the to celebrate in the time the values. They are inspired to several buddhist recurrences, to the life of the fields,  the kitchen,  the nature and  the handicraft. Some impose solemn celebrations, others are amusing and lively moments in which dance and music dominate the scene. There are characteristic  festival of one particular region or province and festival to nationwide. The dates of these events, above all of those to religious character  are always determined from the lunar calendar.Years are counted as the Buddhist era (B.E.) which started 543 years earlier than the Christian era, therefore 2005 A.D.

January

JAN. 01 - Nationwide

January 1 is a public holiday in Thailand and the Thais happily join in the fun of the occasion, even though the traditional Thai New Year is in April. In fact, Thailand is probably the only country in the world where New Year is celebrated three times every year-January 1, the Chinese New Year in February and the Thai New Year or Songkran in April. For New Year, a lot of Thais go back to their upcountry homes and spend the holidays with their families. To welcome in the New Year, a range of uniquely Thai traditional and cultural festivities that begin with early morning Buddhist merit making, and afternoon and evening folk entertainment are conducted in various parts of the country. Thais usually exchange gifts.

Bo Sang Umbrella Fair & San Kamphaeng Handicrafts Festival, Chiang Mai

Almost everyone in the small village of Bo Sang, near Chiang Mai derives a livelihood from making gaily painted paper umbrellas. This fair, held on the main street, celebrates their traditional skills and features contests, exhibitions, stalls selling umbrellas and other handicrafts, and a Miss Bo Sang pageant. Come and enjoy this festival and please make advance Reservations.

Tawai Village, Chiang Mai

This fair features demonstrations, contests and sales of wood carvings and local handicrafts, and includes local folk performances and a procession highlighting the complete range of popular northern Thai woodcrafts.

January 14

During this day, feasts organized by children happen. Children are highly respected in Thailand. In a bus an adult often gives his seat to a child but not to an elderly person. This day always happens on the second saturday in January.

January 16

This day is an occasion for pupils to make merit to their teachers. Teachers are highly revered in Thailand for their knowledge. Pupils create elaborate flower displays and present them to their teachers. Students are encouraged to visit past teachers that were important to them and give them a gift of flowers. Students bow before the teachers, placing their heads on the teachers knee as a show of respect.  The teachers say some kind words to students and the students listen attentively.

February

Chinese New year depends on the lunar calendar. It is on the second new moon day following Winter solstice, a day around December 22 in the nothern hemisphere. Chinese celebrate their lunar new year with one week house-cleaning, lion dances and fireworks. This is also the time to pay respect to the ancestors. We invite our volunteers to take part in the celebrations for our family.

 

Bang Sai Arts & Crafts Fair

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya

As part of assisting farmers obtain further means of livelihood, the SUPPORT project was established under H.M. the Queen’s Royal patronage. Each year an annual fair displays the unique cottage industry products of this project, and allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy shopping and view exhibitions of local products, Folk entertainment performances enliven the fair.

Buak Hat Park, Chiang Mai

The north is noted for its rich variety of flowering plants, particularly temperate-climate specimens which bloom during this cool month. Spectacular floral floats are the highlight of this grand Chiang Mai event.

Nationwide

This is in commemoration of a spontaneous gathering of 1,250 Sangha followers came to meet Lord Buddha 9 months after his first enlightenment. They were ordinated by Lord Buddha and enlightened. Celebrated with candle light processions three times clockwise around the temple, usually in the evening. It is also a day when many people give alms like instant or canned foods and necessities like robes, incense and candles to the monks. The date changes from year to year. It is always on full moon day of the 3rd lunar month, Makha.

Amphur Muang, Pattani

Amphoe Mitang, Pattani Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao, a goddess believed to possess potent magical powers, is revered in Pattani and other southern provinces. This annual fair pays homage to her and features ascetics able to perform extraordinary feats of endurance as well as a lively procession of devotees.

March

Amphur Muang, Mae Hong Son
Held in one of Thailand's most scenic areas, this event celebrates the ordination of Buddhist novices belonging to the Thai Yai ethnic group. Offerings for monks are carried through the town in a gala procession.

Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi

The fair features a beauty contest, a Thai cooking competition, "sea boxing," boat race, Damnoen Saduak floating market touring programs, agricultural exhibitions, and local product sale, including fruits & Thai sweets.

Khwan Muang Park, Yala

Dove-lovers from Thailand and other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia meet in Yala for this event. The highlight is a dove-cooing contest involving more than 1,400 competitors. Young prize doves are on sale along with local products, while sports contests are held.

MARCH -Bangkok

For all the month, the passionates of the kites are assembled in  place Sanam Luang in Bangkok from the 4,30 P.M.and thanks to the breeze that blows all the afternoons also in warm days. we can assists to exciting aerial duels.

April

April,6 - Nationwide

Crowning day of King Rama I., March 20, 1737 - September 7, 1809, the first king of the Chakri dynasty. He moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok, retrieved Buddhist texts that were lost during the occupation of former capital Ayathaya by the Burmese, and wrote the Book of three seals, a new law codex

Amphoe Sri Satchanalai, Sukhothai

Featuring Buddhist monkhood ordination candidate processions on elephants to the Wat (temple) Hat Siao, the robing of ordination candidates and elephants, and local festivities.

Phatthalung

Nang Talung is the game of the shadows and is famous tradition of the south of the thailand. one or more puppet showman with a intricate game of  hands animates marionettes gives behind one curtain  illuminated and adds a traditional but alot amusing dialogue and comment.

APR. 12-15 - Nationwide

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and a special occasion for merry-making throughout Thailand. Thais celebrate Songkran with religious ceremonies, water throwing and public festivities, such as beauty contests, parades and marching bands. Anyone who ventures out on the streets is likely to get a thorough soaking, but all in a spirit of goodwill, blessing and fun, which can be refreshing at the peak of the hot season.

APR. 13-15 - Tha Pae Gate and citywide, Chiang Mai

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated throughout Thailand but nowhere with more enthusiasm than in Chiang Mai. Part of the celebrations is religious, marked by merit-making ceremonies at local temples, and another part is goodwill and fun, with well-wishing water throwing, parades, and beauty contests.

May

Phaya Thaen Park, Yasothon

Northeastern villagers fashion rockets of all kinds, some of them several metres long, launching them is believed to ensure plentiful rains during the coming rice planting season. High-spirited revelry accompanies the event, with beauty parades, folk dancing, and stage shows. Sakaeo Bangfai Rocket Festival.

Sanam Luang, Bangkok

This ancient Brahman ritual celebrates the official commencement of the rice-growing season and is staged at Sanam Luang, the large field fronting the Grand Palace. Colourful costumes are worn by the participants who perform various ceremonies believed to help predict the abundance of the next rice crop.

Nationwide

This is the holiest of all Buddhist religious days, marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Lord Buddha. On Magha Puja, temples throughout the country are crowded with people who come to listen to sermons given by revered monks. In the evening there are solemn candlelit processions around major chapels.

 MAY  5 -  Bangkok 

The anniversary of the coronation of  HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej is a National Festivity. In the Real Chapel of the Grand Palace, the ministers and the high officer civil and military pay to the King their attachment. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned on 5 May 1950.

June

Sunthon Phu Memorial Park, Rayong

This annual celebration commemorates the birthday of the celebrated Rattanakosin poet, Sunthon Phu (1787-1855), designated an emninent classical poet by UNESCO. The celebration takes place at the Sunthon Phu Memorial Park in Ban Kram Village, Amphoe Klaeng, Rayong--birthplace of the poet's father. Highlights include theatrical performances and puppet shows depicting Sunthon Phu's literary works, poetry recitals and folk entertainment.

Amphoe Dan Sai, Loei

The festival has its origins in a Buddhist tale. When Prince Vessandara, the Buddha's penultimate incarnation, returned to his city the welcoming procession was so delightful that spirits emerged to join in the celebration. Based on that, Phi Ta Khon procession features young men dressed as spirits accompanying a sacred Buddha image and teasing villagers. Monks recite the story of the Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. This festival features contests of masked dances and processions. All tourisis are welcome to participate.

July

Nationwide

This day marks commencement of the Buddhist Lent or Phansa during which monks must reside inside their temples to study and meditate. This is also the most auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations since it marks a period of renewed spiritual vigour.

Wat Phra Buddha Bat, Saraburi

This wondrous meritorious event is held at the beginning of the Buddhist Lent when Buddhist monks must remain in their temples. Devotees give offering of flowers and incense to a procession of monks who then ascend to the Shirne of the Holy Footprint where they present the offerings as tribute to Lord Buddha.

Thung Si Muang Park, Ubon Ratchatani

Khao Phansa, or the Buddhist Lent, is the time when all Buddhist monks must stay in their temples. In Ubon Ratchatani, a unique festival that highlights the talented skill of local artisans as well as displays of religous devotion is held each year. Elaborately carved besswax candels of various sizes and shapes are exhibited in high-spirited processions around the city before being presented to local temples.

Nationwide

The full-moon day of the eightth lunar month marks the preaching of Lord Buddha 's first sermon to this first five disciples after attaining Enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago. In the evening, candlelit processions take place in Buddhist temples around the country.

August

August 12 - Nationwide

To display their loyalty and to hinour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are bedecked with coloured lights and amgnificent adornments. Also doubles as Thai Mother Day.

Amphoe Muang, Surat Thani

Surat Thani is known for its luscious rambutans that grow throughout this province. Each year, a fair is held to highlight this fruit that includes exhibitions of local products and floata adorned with rambutans, as well as many other exhilarating fun-filled activities.

Main Stadium, Lamphun

Northern Thailand is known for its variety of temperate fruits. One of these, longan known in Thai as lamyai, reach its peak in August. To celebrate the harvest of the fruit, a fair is held in Lampuhun, abou half an hoour drive South of Chiang Mai, featuring a fruit contest and a stunning Miss Longan beauty contest.

September

Nan River in front of Wat Tha Luang, Phichit

Boat racing has been a part of Thai culture for centuries, and regattas are held in various parts of the country. This anual event takes place on the Nan River, Phichit, one of the most naturally panoramic part of Thailand. The event features boats competing against each other with great fervour and excitement of the cheers of spectators

Petchabun Provincial Hall, Wat Traiphum, Wat Bot Chanaman, Amphoe Muang, Phetchabun

As part of the Star Thai Festival, the people of Phetchabun conduct the Um Phra Dam Nam Festival, which highlights a procession bearing the sacred Phra Buddha Maha Thammaracha image around the city. The Governor of the province officiates at a holy ritual whereby he dives into the river with the Buddha image in his arms, which people belive will result in happiness and fertility. After that, the Phra Buddha Maha Thammaracha is taken to the provincial hall to be bathed in lustral water by the public. Fun-filled forms of entertainment are provided througout the festival. 

Songkhla

 In the Chinese Lunar Festival, the Thai people of  Chinese descending organize dances with" lions" and "dragons", processions with lanterns, competition and color entertainment folks, for honored the moon "the queen of the sky", for the last and future fortune.

October

Bang Fai Phaya Naga is said to be a natural phenomenon. Fireballs can be seen rising up from the Maekhong River on the night at the end of the Buddhist Lent. Many people come to Nongkhai every year, hotels are booked out a long time in advance, and traffic that evening is like Bangkok at rush hour. There is also a friendship boat race between Thailand and Laos during this time.

Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, Sakon Nakhon

To celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa), people in the Northeast (I-sarn) mould besswax into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines (wax castels) in order to gain merit, which will determine their future rebirth. These crafted models can be witnessed especially in Sakon Nakhon where there is an annual festival with grand wax castel procession, competitive boat racing as well as traditional Northeastern cultural performances among many other joyous activities

Amphoe Kathu, Amphoe Muang & Amphoe Thalang, Phuket

This annual event is held during 9th Chinese calender month in which the locals of Chinese ancestry undertake a ten day vegetarian diet. Various rituals are performed at Chinese temples and there are processions of ascetic devotees performing remarkable feats such as fire-walking and climbing ladders with knife-edge rungs.

Northern Development Bridge area (Sapan Phattana Phak Nuea), Nan

These impressive long-boat races held on the Nan river are distinctively enhanced by brightly fancy coloured Nan boats. This event also accompanies the annual Kathin season, when devotees wishing to gain merit present new robes to monks of local temples.

City Hall, Cholburi

The water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand, but in this yearly event, they can be seen in more unususal and entertaining ways than ploughing fields; namely, buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man. Elegant beauty pageants and various other fun activities are included, which attract visitors from all over.

23 October - Natiowide

King Chulalongkorn or Rama V. is memorated for the modernisation of Thailand and thanks to his politics Thailand did not become a colony

November

Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai

It is believed that the Loi Krathong Festival originated in Sukhothai, the first Thai capital. It is therefore appropriate that this captivating event is held on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month amid the breathtaking ruins of this glorious ancient city. Activities include Krathong floating, a fireworks display, cultural performances and an amazing light and sound show.

Surin Main Stadium, Surin

Introduced in 1960, this internationally famous yearly event attracts people from all over the world to Surin to see more than one hundred elephants participate in spectacular shows that include colourful processions. A tug of-war between elephants and men, demonstrations of log-pulling skills, and various other extraordinary feast set in a carnival atmosphere.

Bangkok

The Gold Mountain Festival is a another important events of the month, around Wat Sakhet "temple" there are tens of stalls and kiosks of food, theatres to open and shops. The Gold Mountain is full of lights when the long faithfuls procession with the candles  to go toward the top.

December

Dec. 5 - Nationwide

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, is well beloved and deeply respected by all Thais old and young. The occasion of his  royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country, buildings and homes are elaborately decorated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly iluminated. Also doubles as Thai Fathers Day.

10 December -  Nationwide

1932 the absolute monarchy became constitutional and the first step towards democracy was gone in Thailand.

Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, Ayutthaya, an ancient Siamese capital, celebrates its glorious past with displays of traditional culture and lifestyles, numerous forms of entertainment, as well as spectacular light and sound presentations amid the ruins of this ancient city.

River Kwai Bridge, Kanchanaburi

Each year late November to early December, the world famous River Kwae Bridge, which was built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World II, becomes the focal point of celebrations.

Highlights include historical and archaeological exhibitions, a carnival, folk and cultural performances rides on World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge’s World War II history.

31 December

People like to travel around these holidays. Transportation might be difficult if not arranged in advance. Substitution means that those who can not celebrate the first date for business or other reasons, get the substitution day off. So better take all these dates into account.

thai curiosity

songkran