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Thailand
Festivals / Holidays |
January 1 : New Year
(Publc Holiday) |
January/February : Lion Dance
Festival
2nd. and 4th. days after the Chinese New Year. (Tuesday 12th. January
Chinese New Year's Day) Most colourful lion and dragon dances are
staged by the Chinese community all over Thailand. One of the most
impressive festivals is in Nakhon Sawan in Central Thailand. |
February 26 : Makha
Pucha Day
on the full moon day is one of the holiest Buddhist holidays and
marks the occasion when 1,250 saint-disciples of the Buddha spontaneously
gathered to hear his preaching (Public Holiday). |
April 6 : Chakri
Memorial Day
The day to commemorate the foundation of the present Chakri Dynasty
in 1782. (Public Holiday 8. in lieu of Saturday 6.) |
April 13 - 15 : Songkran-Festival
The traditional Thai New Year, joyfully celebrated throughout the
country with rituals of merit making, cleaning houses, honouring
elders, parades of dancers and boat races. What makes the festival
most interesting is water splashing, an amusing way to make
you cool in the hot season. It is celebrated in a grand way
in Chiang Mai (Public Holiday
16. in lieu of Saturday 13.
17. in lieu of Sunday 14.). |
April 13 - 19 : Pattaya
Festival
in Thailand's world-famous seaside resort puts on its most festive
face for this annual event, held at the height of the summer season.
Food and floral floats, beauty contest and a spectacular display
of fireworks on beach are only a few highlights.
18. Songkran Day - Naklua
19. Songkran Day - Pattaya |
May 1: National Labour Day (Public
Holiday) |
May 2nd : Rocket Festival
is a unique festival of the Northeast
most elaborately celebrated in Yosathon
province. Bamboo rockets are launched
as an annual plea to gods for plenty
of rainfall in the rainy season. |
May 5 : Coronation Day
the day when the reigning King Bhumibol was crowned
as the 9th king of the Chakri Dynasty in 1950. King Bhumibol
is the longest reigning monarch in the world (Public Holiday
6. in lieu of Sunday 5.), |
May : Visakha Bucha
on the full moon is one of the
most important Buddhist holiday.
On this day in different years the
Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment
and entered Nirvana (Public Holiday
27. in lieu of Sunday 26.). |
May 12 : Royal Ploughing Ceremony
presided over by the King or
another member of the Royal Family.
This ancient Brahmanic ceremony is
held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to
mark the beginning of the planting
season and to bless the farmers with
bumper harvests in the year. (Government
Holiday) |
July 1 : Mid Year Closing Day
Non-Government Holiday |
July : Asarnha Bucha Day
on the full moon day is the day
when Buddha have his first five disciples
after his Enlightenment (Public Holiday). |
July : Khao Phansa Day
on the day following Asarnha
Bucha Day is the first day of the
three-month period of Rains Retreat
when monks meditate and study the
doctrine of Buddha and laymen renew
their commitment to follow the precepts
of Buddhism. Monks are required to
stay at their resident temples throughout
the Rains Retreat period (Public
Holiday). |
August 12 : H.M.
the Queen's Birthday
streets and public buildings
in Bangkok and all over Thailand
are decorated with the portrait of
the Queen (Public Holiday). |
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September : Buffalo Races
held in the capital of the Chonburi
province on the Eastern Seaboard. |
October 23 : Chulalongkorn Day
is held to commemorate the death
of King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama
V) who passed away in 1910 (Public
Holiday). |
November
: Loy Krathong Festival
celebrated on the full moon night
is probably the most romantic festival
in Thailand. In the evening, people
gather at the waterside to float Krathongs,
lotus-shaped vessels lovely decorated
with flowers and lit candles as a thanksgiving
and worship to the Goddess of Water.
Magnificent celebrations are held in
Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. |
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November
26 : The River Kwae Bridge Week
Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River
Kwae Bridge, which was built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World War II ,
becomes the focal point of celebrations. Highlights include historical and archaeological
exhibitions, a carnival, folk and cultural performances, rides on World War II
vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the
bridge's World War II history. |
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November 26 : Surin Elephant
Round-up Week
A north-eastern province, Surin is famous
not only for its greatest number of
elephants in Thailand, but also for
its world - famous elephant round-up.
The show features elephant football,
elephant race and hunt, elephants in
ancient battle and demonstrations of
their strength and skills. |
December 5 : H.M.
the King's Birthday
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It is also observed as National Day. Huge crowds
gather at Sanam Luang and on Ratchadamnoen Road in Bangkok
on the evening of the 4th and 5th to celebrate jubilantly
(Public Holiday). |
December 10: Constitution Day(Public
Holiday) |
December 31 : New Year's Eve(Public
Holiday) |
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