Festivals in Thailand

Thailand is the home of many festivals that could be pagan, religious or related to the season. However, several festivals are hold accordingly to the lunar calendar.

• January, 1st: New Year’s Day is nation-wide celebrated. New Year's Day. To greet the New Year, a range of uniquely Thai traditional and cultural festivities are held in various parts of the country. As day breaks on the first day of the new year begins with the Buddhist merit-making ritual in the early hours of the morning and is followed by afternoon and evening merry-making and folk entertainment.

• Late-January: That Phanom Festival last around one week in honour of the most sacred stupa of Thailand. Wat Phra That Phanom is located in Nakhom Phanom Province and many pilgrims come from anywhere in Thailand as well from Laos

• Between end-January and mid-february, the Chinese New Year called Trut Chin is lead by the whole chinese and vietnamese communities iun the country. The most impressive activities are hold in Nakhon Sawan

• February: For the full moon day of the third lunar month is hold Makkha Pucha to commemorate the speech of Buddha in front of 1250 enlightened followers. This ceremony usually ends by a candlelight procession

• Mid-April: Songkran or Traditional Thai New Year is celebrated through the country. It is an occasion for celebration throughout the country. This occasion is marked with religious ceremonies as well as public festivities. It is the Kingdom's most 'sanuk' (fun-filled) festival. Water throwing among the people in a spirit of fun and goodwill is the main activity of this festival. In most parts of the country, Songkran extends over a period of 3 days. Known the world-over for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water-cannon delivered in a festive spirit. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkran is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year. There is a however a much deeper significance to "Songkran". Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well-being. Songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties are renewed.

• May/June: The Rocket Festival mainly takes place in Northeastern Thailand and particularly in Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai. During this event, villagers throw bamboo rockets in the sky to call the rains for coming

• July: Khao Pansa is a national festival for the beginning of the three months buddhist Lent. It is as well the chosen period where young decide to enter the monkhood life.

• November: During the full moon day, Loy Kratong is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (normally November on the regular calendar), which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.