Thailand has been known as the tourist cathedral of Southeast Asia, which attracts millions of Thai tourists each year. Not only attract tourists by the ideal tourist destinations, beautiful green islands and attractive dishes but Thailand also attracts visitors by colorful festivals throughout the year. Like in other Asian countries, the Thai special events are also divided into two parts: holidays and festivals. The article below will introduce you some important holidays and festivals in Thailand.
1) Thai Festival
The Thai Festival is one of the unique festivals of Thai culture. The Thai Festival of Thailand has many important holidays, the public places are decorated brightly and fireworks. At the same time, many other formal ceremonies are conducted. The festive atmosphere of the royal is filled with the warmth and hospitality of the Thai people. In addition, the most anticipated activity during the Thai festival is the parade. The Royal Guard will wear beautiful, brightly colored costumes and parade through the streets around the palace before the king’s birthday to show loyalty and enthusiasm to protect the royal family as a noble mission. This is also the occasion for the King to celebrate the maturation ceremony to pray for a good year with enough rain and full harvest.
2) November 16th: Loy Krathong
“Loy Krathong” is also known as organizing the flower garlands and colored lanterns festival. The most magnificent Loy Krathong is celebrated in 4 famous cities: Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok. And the special festival re-imagines the glorious golden age of the ancient kingdoms of Thailand in Bangkok. The purpose of the Loy Krathong festival is to pay tribute to the goddess of water who has given the people plenty of water and to pray for the immunity to water mourning. Dropping flower garlands and colored lanterns is also a way to dispel the unfortunate past and pray for blessings in the future.
3) Khao Phansa
Buddhism plays a very important role in the life and belief of the Thai people. KhaoPhansa Buddhist Festival is a major Buddhist festival, held in July. On these days, in Thailand, many ceremonial ceremonies have been held to give Buddhists around the country an opportunity to contribute merit to the monks. Visitors coming to the KhaoPhansa festival not only learn more about the culture and spiritual life of the Thai people through stories and legends gathered by the crowds about the Buddha but also the occasion to enjoy the traditional vegetarian dishes of Thailand. At the end of the ceremony, people will bring to offer new cassock for the monks. On KhaoPhansa festival, the monks will not leave the temple, and people will pray for good things for themselves and their families.
4) Vegetarian Festival
Vegetarian Festival originated from the Chinese people. Today, Vegetarian Festival is held in almost every province in Thailand. Food sellers along the flagged roads sell vegetarian food only, and restaurants also have to adjust the way to prepare meat-free dishes. Participants believe that the Vegetarian Festival and the sacred rituals will bring them luck. Visitors can attend Vegetarian Festival in most Chinese temples and even large restaurants in Phuket or atYaowarat and Chinatown in Bangkok. In some places, besides practicing rituals and fasting as traditional, they also organize various forms of entertainment.
5) Candle Festival
Candle Festival is held elaborately every year in July, in UbonRatchathani, Thailand. Before the festival, people and monks will perform elaborate sculptures with wax candles. It is believed that the lives of those who give candles will be happy, healthy and lucid. The unique feature of the Candle Festival in Ubon is the parade along Upparat Street. In this parade, visitors will have a chance to admire the elaborate waxworks.Thailand’s Ubon Candle Festival is an opportunity for you to admire and enjoy the impressive wax works. Furthermore, you can see many local people dressed in traditional costume singing and performing.To experience the culture of the people of Thailand, attending the unique festivals here will be a great choice for visitors.
6) The Full Moon Festival
The Full Moon Festival is held on KohPangan. During the full moon festival, many visitors from all over the world have come here to participate in the festival. The moon’s magic and the air of excitement are the reasons why the Full Moon Party is getting more and more crowded. This is the festival to show their gratitude to the Moon God. Additionally, tourists can take part in many fun activities such as campfire, singing, eating and drinking, the excitement was intense until the moon went down. The fire dance is the classic ritual of the Full Moon Party, which beginning to more exciting activities.
7) Thai Beer Festival
Thai Beer Festivalruns from October to December, which is a great festival for those who love, explore and enjoy the different types of beer. Tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy all types of beer, especially local cool beer. The luscious taste of this drink is so powerful that it becomes a “beer drinking culture” in many countries around the world. Beer can be easily combined with almost every dishes, beer also reduces the greasy taste of food. Coming to the Thai Beer Festival, participants are not only enjoy the beer, but also have the opportunity to eat the special dishes of Thailand and the unique performances.
8) Monkey Buffet Festival
In the view of the Thai people, monkeys are considered soldiers guarding the Hindu god Narai. This unique festival is held on the last Sunday in November annually at Pra Prang Sam Yot temple, Lopbur. Thai people organize Monkey Buffet Festival to express their gratitude to the monkeys for their contribution to the town tourism.During the festival, many kinds of fruits, food, jellies,… are prepared to serve the monkeys. One of the most enjoyable experiences that many visitors love is feeding these monkeys.
9) Bosang Umbrella Fair
The Bosang Umbrella Fair is held in January at Bo Sang Market, Chiang Mai. The fair is an opportunity for Thailand to exhibit and sell unique umbrellas, created by skillful artisans. This fair also hosts many exciting and attractive activities, such as the beauty contest for women.
10) Surin Elephant Festival
Surin Elephant Festival is one of the traditional Thai festivals. Elephant Festival is held every November in Surin. On these days, the elephants are disguised brightly and they are the main figures of the festival. Coming to the festival, these elephants will take part in many exciting activities such as elephant parades, soccer, tug of war, and then will enjoy a grand feast.
11) Phi Ta Khon
Phi Ta Khon is a traditional festival held in Dan Sai, Loei, Thailand. This is a unique festival of culture and belief usually held in June or July every year. The Thai believe that there is a third world with souls, this is a chance for Thai people to show respect to the gods, soothe the dead souls who have protected their village and pray that there will be enough rainfall in the coming season. In this unique festival, there is a long colorful parade of young men dancing and performing with huge masks carved from coconut trees and covered with wicker and glutinous rice steamed. These represent ghosts and when they parade, they carry the image of the Buddha.
Transportation in Thailand; Weather in Thailand; Holidays in Thailand; Best Places to visit in Thailand; Reasons to visit Thailand; Travel guide of Bangkok and surroundings; Travel guide of Northern Thailand; Travel Guide of Central Thailand; Travel Guide of Southern Thailand; Best food in Thailand.
