Around January to February, Bangkok holds the Ban Thawai Wood Carving Fair. Here one can watch demonstrations of woodcarving and other local handicrafts as well as purchase the products produced. The work is that of Northern Thais and tends to be more intricate than that of their southern cousins. It’s well worth a visit.

Chinese New Year takes place around the end of January or beginning of February, according to the moon. Bangkok’s China Town puts on a show of firecrackers, lion dancers parade, live music and loads of food stalls. Lanterns line the streets and the smell of incense wafts through the air.

The most frenetic festival in the country is that of Songkran, the Lunar New Year and all-around national water fight. Held from the 13th to 15th April each year…it’s a wet one! Traditionally it was celebrated by Buddha images being bathed with water and the showing of respect to monks and elders. From the sprinkling of water onto someone’s hands it has evolved into mass drenching for anyone who decides to venture outdoors. This has to be one of the friendliest, though wet, festivals anywhere and a great way to make new friends. Around Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Songkran lasts up to 9 days!

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony held on 7 May in Bangkok, celebrates the official commencement of the rice-planting season. This is an ancient Brahman ritual and the participants who perform various ceremonies, believed to forecast an abundant rice crop, wear colourful costumes. Festivities take place in Sanam Luang park in across the street from the Grand Palace.

The 15th of May is Buddha’s Birthday. Local Wats (Buddhist Temples) celebrate by holding candlelit processions. A tourist may take part in these parades and it can prove great fun.

It’s the Queen’s Birthday on August 12th and also Thailand’s Mother’s Day. As with all royal anniversaries this celebration guarantees a display of fireworks and light.

Some of the most beautiful sights are the festivities relating to the annual festival of Loy Kratong held on November’s full moon. All over the country, little floats (kratong) are made from banana trunks, flowers and candles and set afloat on the water. This symbolizes the casting away of troubles and a call for a happy future. As the moon rises in the evening people converge around bodies of water throughout the country to release their kratongs. In some areas large paper hot-air balloons are released.

River Kwai Bridge Festival Week takes place in Kanchanaburi province, a few hours outside Bangkok. There are sound-and-light shows at the bridge over the river Kwai, historical exhibitions and vintage steam-train rides on the infamous railway.

December 5 is the King’s Birthday. The King is much revered throughout Thailand, something that is probably unique in the world today. All Thais celebrate his birthday and government buildings, private homes, businesses and the palace are all illuminated specially for the occasion. In Phuket, they hold a regatta in his honour.

Their Majesties the King and Queen preside over this impressive annual event, held in the Royal Palace Plaza. Dressed in colourful uniforms, amid much pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the Royal Family.

January 1 - New Year’s Day
February (full moon day) - Makka Bucha
April 6 - Chakri Day
April 13 - Songkran, Thai New Year
May 1 - Labour Day
May 5 - Coronation Day
May 7 – Royal Ploughing Ceremony
May (full moon day) - Visakha Bucha
July (full moon day) - Asanha Bucha commemorates the first sermon of Buddha
August 12 - Queen’s Birthday
October 23 - Chulalongkorn Day
December 5 - King’s Birthday
December 10 - Constitution Day
December 31 - New Year’s Eve

For more information on Thailand’s Festivals,
see our Tangent E-zine’s Festival and Events page.