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Thais
are fun-loving, sentimental people and annual festivals, both
commemorative and celebrative, play important roles in Thai
life.
Many Thai festivals are joyful, colourful events that invite
visitors' participation. Others feature solemn, eminently
photogenic ceremonial. Whatever their character, whether dazzling
processions, Buddhist devotion, uninhibited merriment or exotic
ritual, each affords the visitor pleasant memories and insights
into the cultural heritage that makes Thailand Asia's most
exotic country.
Most festivals are connected either with Buddhism, the annual
rice-farming cycle, or commemorations honouring Thai kings.
Some occur on fixed dates. Others, particularly those associated
with Buddhism, are determined by the lunar calendar. Many
merit national holidays.
Chronologically, Thailand's major festivals, and events, are
as follows:
Thailand's major festivals, and events, are as follows:
Makha Puja
Full-moon day, February National holiday This commemorates
the occasion when 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered to
hear the Buddha preach. Merit-making, such as offering food
to monks, and freeing captive birds and fishes, is interspersed
with sermons throughout the day. After sunset, Buddhist monks
lead the laity in a lovely triple candlelit circumambulating
of Buddhist chapels throughout the kingdom. Each person silently
carries flowers, glowing incense and lighted candles in homage
to the Buddha, his teaching and his disciples
Flower Festival
Usually early February. At Chiang Mai, 700 kilometers north
of Bangkok. This annual event features displays, floral floats,
and beauty contests when the province's temperate and tropical
flowers are in full bloom.
Pattaya Festival
Early April. Thailand's premier beach resort celebrates with
beauty parades, floral floats, and special events, Highlights
include a spectacular beach-side firework display.
Songkran Festival
April 13 - 15. National holiday, April 12 - 14 Songkran is
the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated with special
elan in Chiang Mai where because it occurs during a time of
relative leisure, it becomes a 3-5 day carousel of religious
merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited,
good-natured water throwing.
Songkran Festival, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
The second week of April. The Mon community of Phra Pradaeng
district, Samut Prakan province, just south of Bangkok, celebrates
Songkran with similar festivities.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Usually early May, at Bangkok's Sanam Luang. This ceremony
marks official commencement of the annual rice-planting cycle.
Presided over by His Majesty the King, elaborate Brahman ritual
and ceremonial combine to provide predictions concerning the
forthcoming rice crop.
Rocket Festival
The second weekend of May, and best seen in Yasothon, north-east
Thailand. 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
ardous field work begins in earnest, and features beauty parades,
folk dances, ribald and high-spirited revelry before the rockets
are ceremoniously launched.
Visakha Puja
Full Moon day, May. National holiday. Visakha Puja is the
holiest of all Buddhist holy days, and marks the Buddha's
birth, enlightenment and death. Merit-making and ceremonial
are identical to Makha Puja,
Fruits Fairs Countrywide
These annual fairs feature delicious provincial fruits - -including
rambutan, durian, jackfruits and pomeloes, and feature cultural
displays, exhibitions and folk art. Major provinces that celebrate
fruits fairs include Rayong, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao and
Hat Yai in Songkhla.
H.M. the Queen's Birthday
August 12. National holiday Nation-wide celebrations find
particular focus in Bangkok where government buildings are
decorated and illuminated at night with colored lights.
Ok Phansa & Thot Kathin During October. Ok Phansa celebrates
the end of the Rains Retreat and introduces the Kathin period
when, throughout Thailand, the Buddhist laity present monks
with new robes and other items deemed necessary for the monkhood's
upkeep during the forthcoming monastic year.
Ok Phansa & Thot Kathin
During October
Ok Phansa celebrates the end of the Rains Retreat and introduces
the Kathin period when, throughout Thailand, the Buddhist
laity present monks with new robes and other items deemed
necessary for the monkhood's upkeep during the forthcoming
monastic year.
Vegetarian Festival
During October.Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit
themselves to a vegetarian diet for nine days. The festival's
first day features a parade of white-clothed devotees and
several ascetic displays.
Boat Races
October.The Kathin period marks the official end of the Rains
Season and is the time for country fairs, many of which feature
regattas. Nan, 790 kilometers north of Bangkok, has famous
boat races. Other noteworthy regattas are held in Surat Thani,
Phichit, Nakhon Phanom and Pathum Thani.
Loi Krathong
November.This is Thailand's loveliest festival when under
the full moon, Thais float away onto rivers and waterways,
Krathong, small lotus-shape banana-leaf boats containing a
lighted candle, glowing incense, a flower and small coin to
honor, it is believed, the water spirits, and to wash away
the previous year's sins.
Elephant Round-Up
Third weekend of November, Surin, northeast Thailand
Some 100 elephants participate in this popular event. Between
folk dances and traditional cultural performances, these versatile
behemoths star in displays of time-honored wild elephant hunts,
demonstrations of intelligence, strength, gentility and obedience,
and the spectacular re-enactment of a medieval war elephant
parade.
River Kwai Bridge Week
Late November, early December, Kanchanaburi, western Thailand
Features a thrilling son et lumiere show at the world-famous
bridge. Archaeological and historical exhibitions, sparkling
folk culture performances and rides on trains hauled by World
War II vintage steam locomotives number among other attractions.
H.M. the King's Birthday On December 3, the elite Royal Guards
swear anew their allegiance to His Majesty King Bhumibol in
a colorful and stirring ceremony in Bangkok's Royal Plaza.On
December 5, festivities occur throughout Thailand. Customarily,
government buildings and houses are decorated with spectacular
illuminations at night. Night-time Bangkok, particularly in
the Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Grand Palace area, becomes a
floodlit fairyland of colored lights.
National Holiday
On December 3, the elite Royal Guards swear anew their allegiance
to His Majesty King Bhumibol in a colorful and stirring ceremony
in Bangkok's Royal Plaza.
On December 5, festivities occur throughout Thailand. Customarily,
government buildings and houses are decorated with spectacular
illuminations at night. Night-time Bangkok, particularly in
the Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Grand Palace area, becomes a
floodlit fairyland of colored lights.
For additional information please contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tourist Assistance Center 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue Bangkok
10100 Tel (02) 281-5051 or (02) 282-8129 Fax: (02) 280-1998
Tourist information is available at the Tourism Authority
of Thailand head office in Bangkok, local offices in 22 major
cities and the TAT information counter in Bangkok Airport
and at every airport where there is a TAT local office. They
provide maps, brochures and useful information on tours, shopping,
dining and accommodation. All TAT information offices are
open seven days a week from 8.30 AM. to 4.30 PM.
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