New Year’s Day: Khao Lak does its best to put on a good time at the handful of bars along the main street and at most of the resorts.

Chinese New Year: Upon the first full moon after the sun enters Aquarius, the fairly large Chinese-Thai community around Khao Lak celebrates this important event, but the real action happens south in Phuket Town.

Turtle Release: Thai Muang Beach is the site for the annual release of the baby sea turtles hatched in captivity which is also geared towards educating the public about the endangered sea turtles.

Makha Bucha: one of the big events in the Buddhist calendar celebrates the occasion when 1,250 Sangha followers spontaneously came to pay respect to the Buddha upon his achieving enlightenment.

Songkran: the Thai New Year is marked by festive water fights in every town in the country as everyone returns home to celebrate this massive occasion.

Coronation Day: this national holiday marks the coronation of the current reigning king, Bhumibol Adulyadej with lots of king-related celebrations.

Visakha Bucha: the most important event in the Buddhist calendar celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha with lots of interesting ceremonies at every temple in the country.

Buddhist Lent: this auspicious occasion marks the day when the monks retreat to their temples for the duration of the rainy season and don’t venture out of their temples for the next three months.

HM The Queen’s Birthday: the Thais’ much-admired queen is celebrated on her birthday during this national holiday.

End of Buddhist Lent: many events mark this day, when the monks finally emerge from their retreat to receive offerings of food, new robes and other necessities.

Chinese Vegetarian Festival: Phuket is the centre of this southern Thai holiday in which devotees eat only vegetarian food for the next 10 days.

Chulalongkorn Day: this national holiday commemorates the death of King Rama V, one of Thailand’s most revered kings.

Loy Kratong: one of Thailand’s most romantic festivals involves floating lighted lanterns into the night sky and small containers with a candle, coins and incense down local rivers or into the sea.

HM the King’s Birthday: the entire country puts their day on hold to celebrate their beloved king in a moving display of national pride and love.