Thailand Festivals & Events

Thailand calendar celebrates many events and festivals round the year and these events have become popular all over Thailand and the entire world. However every month sees the celebration of many festivals and special occasions which are inextricably intermingled in the lives of the people. The festivals celebrated are categorized according to the months in which they occur. They are as follows:

January: This month sees the celebration of the following festivals or events-

New Year' Day in Thailand: The New Year's Day celebrated on 1st January is very special as it is observed in all over the country with the Buddhist rituals followed by entertainment and celebrations all throughout the day.

Umbrella and Handicraft's Fair: Bo Sang and San Kamphaeng organizes the Umbrella and Handicraft's fair in Bo Sang which falls under the Chiang Mai district.

Chinese New Year in Thailand: The Chinese New Year is celebrated in Thailand with much aplomb and gaiety. All rejoice during the occasion. Most of the times though the New Year is celebrated in February and the date keeps changing.

February: This month sees the celebration of the following events:

Chiang Mai Flower Festival: This festival sees the display of flowers, parades and beauty contests. The festival is usually a 3day affair.

Bangkok International film Festival: This festival sees the screenings of many new and old movies. The event also sees many award ceremonies and gala parties held after the festival. The festival is held in Bangkok.

March: This month sees the celebration of the following events-

Makha Bucha Day- This is a very auspicious day as it was this day which saw the coming together of 1,250 monks who had gathered to hear Lord Buddha give a sermon. This is a very important day and many rituals are held throughout the day.

Pattaya Music Festival: This festival is held on the beach of Pattaya and usually goes on for three days. The festival sees the recitals of many renowned singers and opera singers with the accompaniment of various kinds of music like Jazz, Pop and other types.

April: This month sees the celebration of the following festivals:

Songkran Festival: This is the traditional Thai New Year celebrated throughout the country and the main ritual of the event is water throwing among the people. The festival is celebrated with much gaiety and joy.

May: This month sees the celebrations of the following festivals:

Rocket Festival: This festival sees people specially farmers praying for cultivation of their paddy fields. The event is held to appease the lord Vassakan. The event sees people celebrating with much joy and carries out the rockets on the roads.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony: This event is usually held to observe the beginning of the rice planting season.

Visakha Bucha Day ( a UN World Heritage Day): This day is a very holy day and many rituals are held in temples and shrines.

June: This month sees the celebration of many events like:

Thailand Grand Sale: This event sees the participation of many shops and stores in Thailand and is organized by the Tourist Authority in Thailand.

Hua Hin Jazz Festival: The event sees the show being held on open air stages and many jazz singers from all over the world come to participate in the event.

Phi Ta Khoon Festival: This is an event based on the famous Buddhist tale and sees many young men thronging the streets wearing grotesque and funny masks of ghosts.

July: This event sees the celebration of the main event as follows:

Khao Phalsa: The event is usually held to mark the beginning of the Buddhist Rain Retreat observed by the Monks.

August: This month sees the celebration of two events:

H.M. the Queen's Birthday: The event is usually held to celebrate the Queen's birthday and is celebrated with a lot of aplomb.

October: This month sees the celebration of two events.

Vegeterian Festival: This is a 9day long festival where the participants go without consuming meat or alcohol.

Long Boat Races: Long boat races are held all over Thailand and the requirement is that it should have a main waterway running through it.
November: This month sees the following events:

Loy Krathong Festival: it is a festival that resembles Diwali and it is floating away of folded banana barks decorated with candles and flowers.

Elephant Round Up Show: This event sees the commemoration of the fact that elephants are very important in the lives of the Thais.

River Bridge Kwai Week: This event marks the death of all those who had built the bridge on the river Kwai.

December: This month sees the events as follows:

H.M. the King's Birthday- This day sees the celebration of the monarch's birthday with vibrant celebrations all over.

Phuket King's Regatta Cup: This day is celebrated annually and many races take place. The regatta sees many parties after the Races.