Many of the festivals celebrated in Phang Nga are religious in nature, observed according to the waxing and waning phases of the lunar calendar. There is a thriving population of Muslim citizens in this part of Thailand, adding a layer of diversity to festivals and religious observances. All the same, Buddhism is stressed in the public school system, and Buddhist holidays receive more funding and recognition from the government. While many of these events are observed in Phang Nga, the most elaborate celebrations are held nearby in Phuket.
Children’s Day: held annually in mid-January, this holiday gives families a chance to bring their children to Phang Nga bay, where games, activities and prizes are available for kids of all ages.
Phang Nga Bay Regatta: this well-established occasion brings hundreds of sailors on board dozens of yachts for four beautiful days of sailing in Phang Nga bay. This international event has been continuously held for well over a decade. Website: www.bayregatta.com
Sea Turtle Release Festival: every March, many gather at the beach in Thai Muang National Park to assist freshly-hatched sea turtles as they scramble toward the safety of the sea. This seven-day event presents an outstanding opportunity to work toward the preservation of this protected species.
Makha Bucha: the full moon which falls in late February or early March marks an important merit-making holiday for Thais. Locals take part in candlelight processionals that terminate at important temples throughout Phang Nga.
Songkran: one of the most highly-anticipated festivals in Thailand, Songkran is held during the height of the hot season. Varying degrees of celebration take place, and elderly Thais may be seen sprinkling each other with water as a measure of good luck. Meanwhile, younger Thais embrace the holiday wholeheartedly, tossing cups or even buckets of water at one another. Expect to get wet during Songkran.
Visakha Bucha: the full moon that falls in May marks an extremely important religious occasion. Buddhists believe that Siddhartha Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and passed away on this same day (in different years). Religious ceremonies and candlelight services are held in Phang Nga temples.
Asanha Bucha: another important Buddhist festival in Thailand, Asanha Bucha falls on the full moon in July. This day is reserved to commemorate the first sermon delivered by the Lord Buddha. Special sermons are given at temples, and locals visit both to listen and make merit on this auspicious occasion.
Khao Phansa: after celebrating Asanha Bucha, Buddhists in Thailand begin a season of Lenten fasting. Monks traditionally sequestered themselves to temples during a three-month period, an agreement stricken between laypeople and clergy to keep wandering monks from trampling rice fields during the rainy season. Today, Buddhist Lent is a time of initiation for novice monks and general meditation.
Queen's Birthday: visitors will note that many decorations are installed around Phang Nga to honour Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit, on the days leading up to her birthday in August. The celebration is decidedly more pronounced further north in Bangkok, where the king and queen reside.
Vegetarian Festival: the most lavish events of the festival are held in Phuket, though Phang Nga hosts its own version of this highly-anticipated event. Buddhists are encouraged to focus on meditation and refrain from eating meat for a period of nine days during the 10th lunar month (late September or early October). The occasion ends as some celebrants participate in impressive feats of body and face piercing.
Chulalongkorn Day: this day in October marks the historic passing of King Rama V. He was Thailand’s modernising monarch who commissioned the building of railroads and similar infrastructure. Thais honour King Rama V by decorating his effigies and portraits at this time.
Loy Krathong: this festival of lights is held in November on the evening of the full moon. Celebrants craft tiny rafts (krahtong) from banana leaves and affix joss sticks or candles before letting them float downriver. The ritual cleanses the participant of bad luck and ushers in a year of renewed opportunity.
King's Birthday: the king was born on 5th December, and government buildings, business and even private homes are decorated with coloured lights and banners that pay tribute to the occasion on this day.
Typical of all Thais, the staff were incredibly charming, friendly and hospitable. A very relaxing resort, but beware there is very little to do unless you are into national parks and scuba diving. ...
