Dream of Siam
Thailand living, working and retirement
Thailand Festivals
Thais are fun loving people and need no excuse to have a good party.
However, the Thai year is literally full of festivals and other
opportunities to
celebrate. This page lists the main festivals in
approximate chronological order.
Chinese New Year (Jan / Feb)
A three day festival that is widely celebrated in Thailand. There is a lot of Chinese culture in Thailand and many Thais have Chinese ancestry. A time of lots of eating, parties and everyone generally has a great time.
Festival of Flowers (First week February)
Takes place in Chiang Mai. The north of Thailand has an amazing variety of flowers and other plant life, many of which are on display during this festival.
Kite Flying Season (February-April)
Many fantastic displays and competions are held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.
Makha Bucha (February full moon)
Another major Buddhist festival. Candlelit processions and other ceremonies at the temples. This is a time of merit making to gain positive karma.
Chakri Day (April 6)
Celebration of Rama I'd founding of the Chakri Dynasty. This is the only day that the Royal Pantheon, which displays statues of former kings, is open to the public. The Royal Pantehon can be found in the grounds of Wat Phra Kaeo.
Songkran (April 12 - 14/15)
Love it or hate it the Songkran "water festival" is a feature of life in Thailand. If you go outside during this time you are pretty much guaranteed to get a soaking as the main aspect of the event is that water is thrown at passers-by with complete abandon.
Pattaya Festival (mid April)
Features a week of food and floral floats, beauty contests, parties and fireworks.
Coronation Day (May 5)
Ceremony to mark the crowning of King Bhumibol.
Royal Plowing Ceremony (early May)
This is in Bangkok. This festival marks the official start of the rice-planting season. There is an elaborate Royal rite at Sanam Luang.
Bun Bang Fai Festival (second week of May)
The "rocket festival" takes place in North East Thailand. Home-made, yes home-made, rockets are fired to encourage plentiful rains. While not completely safe, there is something of a carnival atmosphere!
Visakha Bucha (May full moon)
Most important day in the Buddhist calendar. Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. A lot of activity takes place in temples across
the country, with processions, offerings and sermons.
Asanha Bucha (July full moon)
Major Buddhist festival. Celebrates Buddha's first sermon to his first five disciples.
Khao Phansa (July full moon)
This marks the start of the Buddhist lent or Buddhist Rains Retreat. Monks remain in their temples to devote themselves to study and meditation.
Candle Festival (July full moon)
One of several candle festivals held in Thailand throughout the year. This one takes place in Ubon Ratchathani. There are various parades of candles displayed on floats. some of the candles are a few metres high!
Queen's Birthday (Aug 12)
Thai people love the Royal Family and the Queen's birthday is marked with lavish celebrations. If you are in Bangkok check out the lights around the Grand Palace.
Vegetarian Festival (Late Sep/Early Oct)
This is one of my favourite festivals and takes place in Phuket and Trang province. This festival is pretty famous as you will usually see pictures of people poking sharp sticks through their cheeks and doing other nasty things to themselves.
Chulalongkorn Day (October 23)
Not a festival as such, but an important day in the Thai calendar. This day marks the death of King Chulalongkorn. Flower laying tribute at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok.
Receiving of the Lotus Festival (late October)
This takes place in Bang Phli. The end of the rains are celebrated by pouring lotus buds over a localy revered buddha image.
Ok Phansa (October Full Moon)
Marks the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat.
Illuminated Boat Procession (October Full Moon)
This takes place in the northern town of Nakhon Phanom (on the Mekong River). The boat displays are amazing and there is a lot of partying around town.
Loy Kratong (November Full Moon)
This is probably the most famous and most loved festival in Thailand. It is extremely popular with tourists too. It's also nice as it comes before the main tourist rush. Loy Kratong is also know as the festival of lights. Candles are floated on ponds and rivers. The festival takes place at night and is a wonderful experience. The best place to see the festival is Sukhothai.
The King's Birthday (December 5)
The King is most emphatically at the top of the rigid pyramidal social 'pecking order' in Thailand. There's no doubt the vast majority Thai people love the King very much. Government buildings are decorated and there are many illuminations, especially around the Grand Palace. People tend to gather at Sanam Luang for the main celebration.
celebrate. This page lists the main festivals in
approximate chronological order.Chinese New Year (Jan / Feb)
A three day festival that is widely celebrated in Thailand. There is a lot of Chinese culture in Thailand and many Thais have Chinese ancestry. A time of lots of eating, parties and everyone generally has a great time.
Festival of Flowers (First week February)
Takes place in Chiang Mai. The north of Thailand has an amazing variety of flowers and other plant life, many of which are on display during this festival.
Kite Flying Season (February-April)
Many fantastic displays and competions are held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.
Makha Bucha (February full moon)
Another major Buddhist festival. Candlelit processions and other ceremonies at the temples. This is a time of merit making to gain positive karma.
Chakri Day (April 6)
Celebration of Rama I'd founding of the Chakri Dynasty. This is the only day that the Royal Pantheon, which displays statues of former kings, is open to the public. The Royal Pantehon can be found in the grounds of Wat Phra Kaeo.
Songkran (April 12 - 14/15)
Love it or hate it the Songkran "water festival" is a feature of life in Thailand. If you go outside during this time you are pretty much guaranteed to get a soaking as the main aspect of the event is that water is thrown at passers-by with complete abandon.
Pattaya Festival (mid April)
Features a week of food and floral floats, beauty contests, parties and fireworks.
Coronation Day (May 5)
Ceremony to mark the crowning of King Bhumibol.
Royal Plowing Ceremony (early May)
This is in Bangkok. This festival marks the official start of the rice-planting season. There is an elaborate Royal rite at Sanam Luang.
Bun Bang Fai Festival (second week of May)
The "rocket festival" takes place in North East Thailand. Home-made, yes home-made, rockets are fired to encourage plentiful rains. While not completely safe, there is something of a carnival atmosphere!
Visakha Bucha (May full moon)
Most important day in the Buddhist calendar. Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. A lot of activity takes place in temples across
the country, with processions, offerings and sermons.Asanha Bucha (July full moon)
Major Buddhist festival. Celebrates Buddha's first sermon to his first five disciples.
Khao Phansa (July full moon)
This marks the start of the Buddhist lent or Buddhist Rains Retreat. Monks remain in their temples to devote themselves to study and meditation.
Candle Festival (July full moon)
One of several candle festivals held in Thailand throughout the year. This one takes place in Ubon Ratchathani. There are various parades of candles displayed on floats. some of the candles are a few metres high!
Queen's Birthday (Aug 12)
Thai people love the Royal Family and the Queen's birthday is marked with lavish celebrations. If you are in Bangkok check out the lights around the Grand Palace.
Vegetarian Festival (Late Sep/Early Oct)
This is one of my favourite festivals and takes place in Phuket and Trang province. This festival is pretty famous as you will usually see pictures of people poking sharp sticks through their cheeks and doing other nasty things to themselves.
Chulalongkorn Day (October 23)
Not a festival as such, but an important day in the Thai calendar. This day marks the death of King Chulalongkorn. Flower laying tribute at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok.
Receiving of the Lotus Festival (late October)
This takes place in Bang Phli. The end of the rains are celebrated by pouring lotus buds over a localy revered buddha image.
Ok Phansa (October Full Moon)
Marks the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat.
Illuminated Boat Procession (October Full Moon)
This takes place in the northern town of Nakhon Phanom (on the Mekong River). The boat displays are amazing and there is a lot of partying around town.
Loy Kratong (November Full Moon)
This is probably the most famous and most loved festival in Thailand. It is extremely popular with tourists too. It's also nice as it comes before the main tourist rush. Loy Kratong is also know as the festival of lights. Candles are floated on ponds and rivers. The festival takes place at night and is a wonderful experience. The best place to see the festival is Sukhothai.
The King's Birthday (December 5)
The King is most emphatically at the top of the rigid pyramidal social 'pecking order' in Thailand. There's no doubt the vast majority Thai people love the King very much. Government buildings are decorated and there are many illuminations, especially around the Grand Palace. People tend to gather at Sanam Luang for the main celebration.