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.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival, held in the first few days of February, is noted for its colour. The north of Thailand has a rich variety of flowering plants. It is celebrated with floral floats parading the streets as well as flower displays, beauty pageants and handicraft sales to enjoy.

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. In places like Chiang Mai, Sukhothai and Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Songkran lasts up to 9 days!

One of the wildest festivals next to Songkran is Phi Ta Khon Festival, celebrated in Loei province. It is an animist-Buddhist festival in which revellers parade in garish ‘spirit’ costumes, wear painted masks and carved wooden phalli. Takes place according to the moon from mid-May to mid-June.

The Rocket Festival (Bung Bang Fai) in the north eastern region is a literal explosion of village-crafted rockets. The rockets are fired into the sky in hopes to bring rain for the rice fields. This festival is celebrated mainly in Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon. Takes place according to the moon from mid-May to mid-June.

On the 15th May, Thais celebrate 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.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony held on 14 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 colorful costumes. Festivities take place in Sanam Luang park in across the street from the Grand Palace.

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

The Vegetarian Festival, held in early October, is celebrated in Phuket and Trang only. For this almost weeklong celebration, Chinese Buddhists eat only vegetarian food. There are numerous ceremonies and processions, which are both interesting and colourful. The food vegetarian sold in street stalls is well worth sampling. Self-mortification is practiced to prove strength and purity. Participants parade through the streets with spears and the like pierced through their skin cheeks and mouth. Feats are performed such as walking on hot coals, climbing bladed ladders and bathing in hot oil. Smaller towns in the south such as Krabi also celebrate on a smaller scale.

River Kwai Bridge 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 and a national holiday. The King is much revered and the majority of the country holds candles while singing the national anthem that evening. His birthday is celebrated by all Thais while government offices, private homes, businesses and the Grand Palace are all specially illuminated for the occasion. Phuket holds a sailing regatta in honour of the King. In honour of the King's birthday and his love of sailing, The King's Cup Regatta is held for the week of His Majesty's birthday (5-12 December ). The exciting race draws people and yachts from around the globe.

Also held in December in Phuket is the Phuket Triathlon. Like the Kings Cup Regatta it too attracts participants from around the globe.

January 1 - New Year’s Day
February (full moon day) - Makka Bucha
April 6 - Chakri Dynasty Day
April 13 - Songkran, Thai Lunar New Year
May 1 - Labour Day
May 5 - Coronation Day
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

To view current festivals and events, please visit our Tangent E-zine.