ANNUAL EVENTS
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAILAND EACH YEAR?
JANUARY
Chinese New Year:
Thais with Chinese ancestry celebrate the Chinese lunar new year with a week of house cleaning and fireworks. The dates vary each year.
Bo Sang Umbrella Fair and San Kamphaeng Handicraft:
A colourful festival held in the main street of Bo Sang that features contests, cultural performances and stalls selling traditional paper umbrellas and handicrafts.
FEBRUARY
Flower Festival:
Held in the city Chiang Mai, Thailand displays its floral wonders over the three day festival. Beautiful flower decorated floats parade through the town.
MARCH
ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival:
Dove-lovers from all over Thailand, as well as from other neighbouring countries come to the city for this event. The major highlight of this unique festival is the dove-cooing competition, which always involves more than 1400 participants each year.
APRIL
Songkran:
The most important date in the Thai calendar is the Thai New Year or Songkran. It is celebrated nationwide though various events. Splashing in the water on many of Thailand’s islands is just one of the common things people do on this day. There are midnight celebrations, festivals, beauty pageants and more! Immerse yourself in the traditional Thai customs and culture and join the Songkran celebration. Everywhere you go will be a rainbow of colours and joy.
Pattaya Festival:
This seaside city enjoys the summer by holding an annual festival. Food, floral floats, beauty pageants, stalls selling delicious cuisine and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are only some of the activities that attract those who want to participate in the fun.
MAY
National Labour Day:
Labour Day in Thailand usually occurs on May the 1st. It stems from ancient customs linked with the celebration of spring. It is a national holiday for workers and this day is also widely celebrated in many other countries of the world.
Rocket Festival:
The Rocket Festival has been a part of the Thailand festival calendar for many decades. It has been observed to have been running in Yasathon since 1972. It draws on the ancient rain festivals which have been held in Isaan for centuries. People around the province make their own rockets and carry them down the street. Traditional Thai dancers travel the processional, which is believed to make ancestral spirits happy. The launches of the rockets take place on Sunday and if a particular team’s rocket does not leave the launch pad, the team members are thrown into a mud slick!
Royal Ploughing Ceremony:
The Ploughing Ceremony marks the start of the season when paddy land is prepared for rice cultivation. It is a sign for farmers that shows that the time for work in their fields has come and encourages them to try harder for a successful season. This ceremony has customarily been celebrated in almost all countries of Southeast Asia and a special ritual is performed. The ritual involves sacred oxen, rice seeds and lots of delicious and fresh food.
Fruit Fairs:
The eastern provinces of Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat are known for their abundance of tropical fruits. When the fruits are at the peak of luscious ripeness, a fair is held in which the locals sell fruits from the surrounding orchards together with other local products. Spectacular colourful floats decorated with fruit and flowers are paraded though the streets of these provincial capitals.
JUNE
Phi Ta Khon Festival:
With origins from a well-known Buddhist tale, the colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession feature young men who dress up as spirits to accompany a scared Buddha image and taunt villagers. Monks relate the tale of Lord Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining enlightenment. Included, are competitions of masked dances and processions. Everyone is welcome to participate.
JULY
Candle Festival:
The Candle Festival is a traditional, well-known festival in Isaan and is the largest religious ceremony in Ubon Ratchathani. This day marks the beginning of the rainy season retreat for Buddhist monks. During the cerebration, huge candles are prepared by people from temples a couple of days before the procession. The candles are paraded through the city on floats with a beautiful lady - representing an angel for each candle. The candles each represent a local temple, district or other institution. There are also dancers and musicians dressed in traditional clothing and an splendid exhibition of wax sculptures (created by international artists) is shown.
AUGUST
Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday:
Held on August 12th, Thai people celebrate this day to display their loyalty and to homour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday. Thais decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-know locations are bedecked with coloures lights and magnificent adornments.
SEPTEMBER
Vegetarian Festival:
The Vegetarian Festival is held in Phuket and is a colourful and spectacular event held over a nine-day period. It celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help them receive peace and good health. While vegetarian food is widely available throughout Thailand, special menus and dishes are prepared and available for the festival in many restaurants throughout the country.
Mid Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
The Mid Autumn Festival takes place on the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, which is equivalent to September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated with Chinese communities across Thailand and shops will sell special moon cakes to mark the occasion.
Boat Races:
Boat racing has been a part of Thai culture for centuries and regattas are held in various parts of the country. This annual event takes place on the various river throughout Thailand. The events feature boats competing against each other with great fervour and excitement of the cheers of the spectators.
OCTOBER
Chon Buri Buffalo Races:
The water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand, but in this yearly event, they can be seen in more unsual and entertaining ways than ploughing fields; namely, buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man.
NOVEMBER
Festival of Light: Loi Krathong
The Festival of Light is celebrated annually throughout Thailand. The name of the festival could be translated 'Floating Crown' or 'Floating Decoration,' and comes from the tradition of making buoyant decorations which are then floated on a river. The festival is packed with parades, concerts, beauty pageants, family celebrations, yummy Thai treats and krathong (rafts). Made from a crafty and fun combo of banana leaves, lotus flowers, candles and incense, these floating rafts are sent down Thailand’s waterways. This process carries away the owner’s bad luck and insures a fresh start to the month.
Surin Elephant Round Up:
The Surin Elephant Round Up is a multi-day event which draws huge crowds to witness elephants showcasing their sensational abilities. Encounter elephants dancing to songs, throwing darts to pop balloons, playing a game of soccer and even slam dunk a basketball. Prepare to see them walking on their hind legs or painting a picture. Elephants are trained to do these tricks and are smart enough to learn over 200 commands. The elephants carry dignitaries and occasionally some tourists. Joining the elephant procession are children and teachers dancing and playing music. Once all the elephants have arrived, the magnificent banquet begins. Whatever is leftover can be taken home by the local people.
DECEMBER
The River Kwai Bridge Festival:
Every year, the Kwai Bridge Festival is celebrated every year. The highlight of the festival is the Sound & Light Show, which tells the history of the Death Railway, the Hellfire Pass and the Bridge on the River Kwai. The famous bridge that spans the Kwai River was brought from Java by the Japanese army and was assembled at the river by the war prisoners. It was rebuilt after the war as it had been bombed several times in 1945. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections.
Constitution Day:
Constitution Day celebrates the date in 1932 when Thailand was granted its first constitution. During the day, parades and fireworks are common activities and images of the Thai kings are displayed across the country. It is a day when the Thai people will thank the monarchy for granting them the right to run their country.
Chinese New Year:
Thais with Chinese ancestry celebrate the Chinese lunar new year with a week of house cleaning and fireworks. The dates vary each year.
Bo Sang Umbrella Fair and San Kamphaeng Handicraft:
A colourful festival held in the main street of Bo Sang that features contests, cultural performances and stalls selling traditional paper umbrellas and handicrafts.
FEBRUARY
Flower Festival:
Held in the city Chiang Mai, Thailand displays its floral wonders over the three day festival. Beautiful flower decorated floats parade through the town.
MARCH
ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival:
Dove-lovers from all over Thailand, as well as from other neighbouring countries come to the city for this event. The major highlight of this unique festival is the dove-cooing competition, which always involves more than 1400 participants each year.
APRIL
Songkran:
The most important date in the Thai calendar is the Thai New Year or Songkran. It is celebrated nationwide though various events. Splashing in the water on many of Thailand’s islands is just one of the common things people do on this day. There are midnight celebrations, festivals, beauty pageants and more! Immerse yourself in the traditional Thai customs and culture and join the Songkran celebration. Everywhere you go will be a rainbow of colours and joy.
Pattaya Festival:
This seaside city enjoys the summer by holding an annual festival. Food, floral floats, beauty pageants, stalls selling delicious cuisine and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are only some of the activities that attract those who want to participate in the fun.
MAY
National Labour Day:
Labour Day in Thailand usually occurs on May the 1st. It stems from ancient customs linked with the celebration of spring. It is a national holiday for workers and this day is also widely celebrated in many other countries of the world.
Rocket Festival:
The Rocket Festival has been a part of the Thailand festival calendar for many decades. It has been observed to have been running in Yasathon since 1972. It draws on the ancient rain festivals which have been held in Isaan for centuries. People around the province make their own rockets and carry them down the street. Traditional Thai dancers travel the processional, which is believed to make ancestral spirits happy. The launches of the rockets take place on Sunday and if a particular team’s rocket does not leave the launch pad, the team members are thrown into a mud slick!
Royal Ploughing Ceremony:
The Ploughing Ceremony marks the start of the season when paddy land is prepared for rice cultivation. It is a sign for farmers that shows that the time for work in their fields has come and encourages them to try harder for a successful season. This ceremony has customarily been celebrated in almost all countries of Southeast Asia and a special ritual is performed. The ritual involves sacred oxen, rice seeds and lots of delicious and fresh food.
Fruit Fairs:
The eastern provinces of Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat are known for their abundance of tropical fruits. When the fruits are at the peak of luscious ripeness, a fair is held in which the locals sell fruits from the surrounding orchards together with other local products. Spectacular colourful floats decorated with fruit and flowers are paraded though the streets of these provincial capitals.
JUNE
Phi Ta Khon Festival:
With origins from a well-known Buddhist tale, the colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession feature young men who dress up as spirits to accompany a scared Buddha image and taunt villagers. Monks relate the tale of Lord Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining enlightenment. Included, are competitions of masked dances and processions. Everyone is welcome to participate.
JULY
Candle Festival:
The Candle Festival is a traditional, well-known festival in Isaan and is the largest religious ceremony in Ubon Ratchathani. This day marks the beginning of the rainy season retreat for Buddhist monks. During the cerebration, huge candles are prepared by people from temples a couple of days before the procession. The candles are paraded through the city on floats with a beautiful lady - representing an angel for each candle. The candles each represent a local temple, district or other institution. There are also dancers and musicians dressed in traditional clothing and an splendid exhibition of wax sculptures (created by international artists) is shown.
AUGUST
Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday:
Held on August 12th, Thai people celebrate this day to display their loyalty and to homour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday. Thais decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-know locations are bedecked with coloures lights and magnificent adornments.
SEPTEMBER
Vegetarian Festival:
The Vegetarian Festival is held in Phuket and is a colourful and spectacular event held over a nine-day period. It celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help them receive peace and good health. While vegetarian food is widely available throughout Thailand, special menus and dishes are prepared and available for the festival in many restaurants throughout the country.
Mid Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
The Mid Autumn Festival takes place on the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, which is equivalent to September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated with Chinese communities across Thailand and shops will sell special moon cakes to mark the occasion.
Boat Races:
Boat racing has been a part of Thai culture for centuries and regattas are held in various parts of the country. This annual event takes place on the various river throughout Thailand. The events feature boats competing against each other with great fervour and excitement of the cheers of the spectators.
OCTOBER
Chon Buri Buffalo Races:
The water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand, but in this yearly event, they can be seen in more unsual and entertaining ways than ploughing fields; namely, buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man.
NOVEMBER
Festival of Light: Loi Krathong
The Festival of Light is celebrated annually throughout Thailand. The name of the festival could be translated 'Floating Crown' or 'Floating Decoration,' and comes from the tradition of making buoyant decorations which are then floated on a river. The festival is packed with parades, concerts, beauty pageants, family celebrations, yummy Thai treats and krathong (rafts). Made from a crafty and fun combo of banana leaves, lotus flowers, candles and incense, these floating rafts are sent down Thailand’s waterways. This process carries away the owner’s bad luck and insures a fresh start to the month.
Surin Elephant Round Up:
The Surin Elephant Round Up is a multi-day event which draws huge crowds to witness elephants showcasing their sensational abilities. Encounter elephants dancing to songs, throwing darts to pop balloons, playing a game of soccer and even slam dunk a basketball. Prepare to see them walking on their hind legs or painting a picture. Elephants are trained to do these tricks and are smart enough to learn over 200 commands. The elephants carry dignitaries and occasionally some tourists. Joining the elephant procession are children and teachers dancing and playing music. Once all the elephants have arrived, the magnificent banquet begins. Whatever is leftover can be taken home by the local people.
DECEMBER
The River Kwai Bridge Festival:
Every year, the Kwai Bridge Festival is celebrated every year. The highlight of the festival is the Sound & Light Show, which tells the history of the Death Railway, the Hellfire Pass and the Bridge on the River Kwai. The famous bridge that spans the Kwai River was brought from Java by the Japanese army and was assembled at the river by the war prisoners. It was rebuilt after the war as it had been bombed several times in 1945. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections.
Constitution Day:
Constitution Day celebrates the date in 1932 when Thailand was granted its first constitution. During the day, parades and fireworks are common activities and images of the Thai kings are displayed across the country. It is a day when the Thai people will thank the monarchy for granting them the right to run their country.