POPULAR ANNUAL EVENTS IN THAILAND



Bo Sang/San Kamphaeng Handicrafts Fair in January

Bo Sang village in San Kamphaeng district of Chiang Mai is renowned as the "umbrella village" on account of its exquisitely hand-painted paper umbrellas. Every January, the village will organize the Bo Sang Umbrella Fair & San Kamphaeng Handicrafts Festival, featuring umbrella making and painting as well as and other handicraft products.

During the fair, all shops and stores will be vividly decorated in the Lanna Thai style, and turn Bo Sang into a picturesque village. The fair features colorful umbrella making and painting, contests, exhibitions, as well as cultural performances, sales of handicraft products, and a Miss Bo Sang beauty contest.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February

The north is noted for its rich variety of flowering plants, particularly temperate-climate specimens which bloom during this cool month. Chiang Mai, Thailand has been called “The Rose of the North,” and it’s especially true during the first weekend of February. One of the most popular annual festivals is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. The locals in Chiang Mai never miss this special event, and it also draws tourists from allover the country.

Songkran Festival in April from 13th-15th

Songkran is the traditional Thai NewYear, an occassion when families reunite to pay respect to the parents and elderly by pouring water on the hands and, in return, the elderly give out blessings. Songkran celebrations include religious ceremonies, water pouring 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.

Surin Elephant
Round-Up Show in November

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

HM The King's Birthday in Bangkok in December

The kings birthday takes precedence over all his birthday celebrations. See coloured lights and decorations around Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the Grand Palace and head to the Sanam Luang field for a festival of music and Thai culture.

Phichit Boat Races in September

The spectacular annual rowing regatta in Phichit takes place on the Nan River, which runs through the provincial capital. Low-slung wooden boats rowed to the hearty cheers of spectators make this an exciting day out.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May

Presided over by the King and Queen at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, this ancient Brahmin festival marks the beginning of the rice-planting season, which is the most important crop of Thailand. Predictions are made about weather and harvests for the coming year on the basis of which of the selected foods the sacred cows choose.

Rocket Festival in May

Prior to the annual monsoons, Northeast villagers construct gigantic rockets to fire into the sky to 'ensure' plentiful rain during the forthcoming rice season. The Rocket Festival is traditionally a period for letting off steam before the ardous field work begins. The Festival features beauty parades, folk dances and high-spirited celebrations before the rockets are eventually launched. The best place to be is in Yasothon, north-east Thailand. There will also be plentiful food on offer.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival in Sept/Oct

A colourful event held over a nine day period in late September/early October, this celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help them obtain good health and peace of mind. Not for the faint hearted as you will witness many participants piercing their tongues, cheeks, and other parts of the anatomy with sharp implements. There is apparently no pain and little injury suffered by the people who take part.

POPULAR ANNUAL EVENTS IN THAILAND



Pattaya Music Festival
in March

Thailand's biggest music festival held in the famous beach resort of Pattaya. The Festival invites all music lovers, including tourists to enjoy the first summer's breeze. Among many other entertainments, Rock, Pop, Jazz, or Hip Hop can it be fun for all. Pattaya Music Festival can be a wonderful way to enjoy your weekend. Held generally in the month of March every year,

Pattaya Music Festival is held in the evenings. Tourists also enjoy the gala bonanza and participate actively in the hip-hop dances of the crowd. This annual event emphasizes the love for music by the city dwellers who make most of the event.

 

Hua Hin Jazz Festival in June

Jazz music lovers head towards Hua Hin in June where they can enjoy a music festival that delivers the best jazz and blue bands from around Asia.

Hua Hin has been associated with the country’s jazz community since the 1950s and the jazz festival is organised annually in honour of the musical talents of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Loi Krathong Festival in November

Loi Krathong is an old ritual in which the Thai people ask for forgiveness and blessing from Goddess of the River (Phra Mae Kongkha).On this particular night, on nearly every expanse of water, be it a river, lake or the ocean, you'll notice thousands of lights. Drifting across the water like fairy dreams. Gently flickering, dipping and dancing in the breeze as they go, making a spectacular sight.Thailand's 'festival of lights'.

Held yearly, on the evening of the twelfth lunar month, it is the time of year when the waters around the country become alive with candlelight and look not unlike massive fairy ballrooms.

Candle Festival Ubon Ratchathani in October

Khao Phansa, or the Buddhist Lent, is the time, when all Buddhist monks must stay in their temples. In Ubon Ratchathani, a unique festival that highlights the talented skills of local artisans as well as display of religious devotion is held each year. Elaborately carved bees wax candles of various sizes and shapes are exhibited in high-spirited processions around the city before being presentation to local temples.

Illuminated Boat Procession Sept/Oct

The illuminated boat procession is celebrated in I-San, the northeastern region of Thailand. An enchanting spectacle that has given the water-borne procession its very name - 'Lai Reua Fai', which literally means to set afloat a 'fire boat' . This dazzling event marks the end of the Buddhist Lent or 'Ok pansa' and is accompanied by a colourful street procession and cultural performances.




Golden Mount Fair in November

A religious ceremony that takes place around November at the Wat Saket Temple in Bangkok. In the early evening as darkness falls there is a candle lit procession of Buddhists who wish to pay homage to the relic of the Lord Buddha which is kept at the summit up the Golden Mount. The following day there are cultural shows and folk music scattered across the temple grounds as well as traditional foods from the large choice of food stalls. There are also toys and gifts to be found for the children. Admission to the fair is free.

Chon Buri Buffalo Races in October

Buffalos compete in races and contests pitting the strength of man against that of his faithful farm animal. Not one of the better known events but is eagerly attended by people in the region.

River Kwai Bridge Week in Nov/Dec

Each year in late November to early December, the world famouse River Kwai Bridge becomes the centre of celebrations. Highlights include historical exhibitions, a carnival, cultural performance, rides on World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge's World War II history.The Kanchanburi province has become famous due to this festival.

Silk / Phuk Seow Festival Nov/Dec

Internationally, Thailand has always been famous for its lustrous silk. One of the major centres of silk production, Khon Kaen is the venue of a fair to promote silk weaving and sericulture. This event is held in conjunction with the Phuk Siao friendship ritual of the northeast. Colourful street processions and typical I-san cultural shows as well as exhibits on the silk industry add to the fun of the fair.