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Thailand
is not just the "Land of Smiles," it is also a "Fantasy of Festivals." Check
here often to catch up on the latest celebrations. Email me if you have any
contributions.
April 3-6. Northern Cultural Fair, Chiang Mai: This event will be held at the Chiangmai University's Cultural Promotion Centre. Activities will include guided tours of the old city and Ping River, traditional dances and a Lanna-style ritual to show respect for medicine men.
April 6. Chakri Day: This commemorates Rama I founding the current Chakri Dynasty. King Bhumibol is the ninth in this line. He has been ruling Thailand for over 50 years. Thailand is actually a constitutional monarchy, but the king, Rama IX, is influential and revered throughout the land.
If you are in Bangkok, check out the Royal Pantheon on the grounds of Wat Phra Kaeo. This display of statues of former kings is only open to the public on this day.
April 12-14. Sonkran: This is the traditional Thai New Year. (They also celebrate the Universal New Year and the whole country will be hopping on December 31, 1999). Originally meant to honor the beginning of the Buddhist New Year, the three-day event has evolved into a national water fight during the hot season.
Children in the past and still today, would honor elders and monks by sprinkling water on their hands and feet. Now, buckets of water are tossed on everyone. Naturally, farangs and other tourists make hilarious targets.
May 5 Coronation Day. A ceremony in Bangkok marks the coronation of King Bhumibol who, of course, is revered throughout the kingdom.
May 9-15, more or less. Bun Bang Fai Festival: The rocket festival takes place in Northeast Thailand. The purpose is to ensure plentiful rain. Check it out if you are in or near Yasothon. The festivities include parades with floats of gaily decorated bamboo rockets. Local benefactors spend copious amounts of baht to create these rockets and launchers. Nervously, they watch the Buddhist monks launch them; for if their rocket fails they are coated with mud in a humiliation ritual.
Full Moon, Visakha Bucha: This important Buddhist date celebrates the birth, Enlightenment and death of Buddha himself. As it is observed throughout Thailand, you might see special sermons and candlelit processions at various temples. Look for them.
June, Phi Ta Khon Festival: Takes place in mid to late June in the Dan Sai district of Loei province. Masked players perform the legends of Buddha's second to last incarnation.
July, during the full moon: Three festivals, including Asanha Bucha (anniversary of Lord Buddha's first sermon to his initial five disciples); Khao Phansa (beginning of the "Buddhist Lent." Monks remain in temples to study and young men are ordained for short periods of time; Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani in Northeast Thailand. There are parades of carved candles made from villages all over the area.
August: Celebrates Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday on August 12. Check out the lavishly decorated streets thoughout the country.
September: There are numerous countrywide festivals. In Nakhon Pathom, about an hour from Bangkok, during the first week there is the Food and Fruits Fair held at Thailand's largest Buddhist temple Phra Pathom Chedi. Mid-month highlights the Thailand International Swan Boat Races on Chao Phraya. In Trang and Phuket provinecs in late September/early October, the Vegetarian Festival celebrates an abstinence from meat.
October: The 23rd is Chulalongkorn Day in Bangkok, which celebrates the death of King Rama V. Check out the floral tributes in the Royal Plaza. The October full moon touches off several events: Ok Phansa is a nationwide celebration ofthe reappearance on Earth of Lord Buddha after he had spent time preaching in Heaven; with Krathin begins a one-month period over which monks are presented with new robes; and Nakhon Phanom , in Northeast Thailand, hosts the Illuminated Boat Procession. Boats with candles and offerings float down the Mekong River.
November: Loy Krathong takes place nationwide during the full moon. In the evening people gather to float krathongs, bowls made from banana leaves and holding lighted candles, in the waterways. The event celebrates the end of the rainy season and the time of the main rice harvest. Many feel the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sukhothai is the best place to view this festival. Other events of note include: Golden Mount Fair, held at the foot of the Golden Mount in Bangkok during the first week of November. This is the nation's largest temple fair; the Elephant Roundup takes place at Surin on the Khorat Plateau in Northeast Thailand during the month's third weekend. Don't miss this, if you have the chance. 150-200 pachyderms will strut their stuff in a variety of demonstrations.
The Bridge on the River Khwae gets into the act with a week of celebrations in late November/early December of the construction of the famous landmark by prisoners of war.
Home Bangkok Pattaya River Kwai and Rose Garden Patpong A Boy's House Top Man Club Patpong Map Spirit Amazing Links
Copyright Mike Williams, 1999. All rights reserved. Email Mike at sanukthai@hotmail.com
Last updated: November 25, 1999.
