Thailand festivals and events

Thailand has many festivals, and civil and religious celebrations, that are beautiful symbolically and fascinating to witness and participate in. We recommend that you includeThai festivals or holiday in your travel plans. There are many local celebrations upcountry that are well worth attending. Thai festivals are rarely solemn occasions, and few countries celebrate them with so much fun and color. Annual rites and festivities, marking religious devotion or the passage of seasons, have long been an integral part of Thai life.

The main festivals are celebrated nationwide, with the most exuberant activities taking place in Bangkok and other major cities. Each region has its own unique festivals, too. Festival dates can change from year to year as they follow the lunar calendar.

Central Thailand
Every year in March the Temple of the Holy Footprint near Saraburi is flooded with pilgrims for the Phra Phutthabat Fair. The Loy Krathong festival is celebrated magically in the Old Sukhothai where it has originated. The festival is celebrated in honor of the goddess of waterways Mae Kongkha. Late November and early December marks the building of the River Kwai Bridge in Kanchanaburi.

Northern Thailand
Every January Bo Sang holds an Umbrella Fair. Miss Bo Sang is elected during a beauty contest. Chiang Mai Floral Festival is inspired by the blooms of flowers in February. Mae Hong Son comes alive in March during Poi Sang Long Festival with the ceremony of mass ordination for Shan boys.

North-East Thailand
In May the town of Yasothon hosts the Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai). The festival is staged to ensure plentiful rains during the rice planting season. In June, the Phi Ta Khon Festival is held in Dan Sai and Loei. Ubon Ratchathani has a Candle festival in July. The national holiday of Ok Phansa (end of rainy season) is celebrated in style at Nakhon Phanom in October with the Illuminated Boat Procession.

Southern Thailand
Phuket Vegetarian Festivale in September is a great spectacle for nine days. The festival marks the start of Taoist Lent celebrated by Chinese people. Week-long Narathiwat Fair features races between fishing boats.

Bangkok
The main celebrations for the nationwide festivals and events take place in the capital. Festivities for Songkran, Visakha Bucha, The Royal Plowing Ceremony, The Golden Mount Fair and King's birthday are staged in there.