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Thailand – a Southeast Asian country which is bordered by Laos and Cambodia to the East, Thailand Bay and Malaysia to the South, Myanmar and the Andaman Sea to the West, Laos, and Myanmar to the North. Known as under the name “Land of Smiles” and “Land of Million Elephant”, Thailand impresses visitors with tropical beaches, palatial royal palaces, ancient Buddhist Temples, and worldwide famous festivals. Thai people love festival so you will easily find various festivals and events at any time of the year. Here are 5 major Thai holidays and festivals you should not skip
- Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Time: on the first weekend of February
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is a city in Northern Thailand. Not only famous for a popular tourist destination, Chiang Mai is also the chosen place for many interesting festivals. In which, the most colorful celebrations here is Chiang Mai Flower Festival. You will have the chance to admire the beauty of various flowers such as yellow and white chrysanthemums or the Damask Rose, the type that only found in Chiang Mai. The biggest highlight is the flower parade processing through the city. The parade includes more than 25 floats which are decorated with flowers, along with local dancers, noisy drumming artists in traditional costumes. Especially, there are many pretty girls competing for the Miss Chiang Mai Flower Festival title so the event will last until midnight
- Songkran: Water Festival
Time: 13 – 15 April
Location: all over Thailand
Songkran is also called Thai New Year’s Festival. Talk about Thailand, the first thing comes to your head definitely is the water festival as it’s the biggest, longest and funniest festival in Thailand. Traffic banned on major streets for everyone from old, young to children participate in wide-ranging water fights. The splashing water is a sign of respect and well-wishing, revel hope and wash away bad luck. Besides, young people often pour water into elders’ hands as a way to show respect.
- Hungry Ghost Festival
Time: Full moon night of the seventh lunar month according to the Chinese calendar (usually mid to late August)
Location: around Thailand
Like Vietnam, Thailand also considers the seventh month of the year as the ghost month. It is believed that the gate of Heaven and Hell will be opened on the full moon day (or fifteenth day of the 7th month) and the hungry ghosts will visit the living. Therefore, in these days Thais usually offer food, burn joss paper, candles and flowers to help hungry ghosts. During the festival, you will see Thais people releasing paper boats and lanterns into the water. The purpose of this action is to give directions to the lost ghosts
- Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Time: 2 – 4 November
Location: Chiang Mai City
What does Yi Peng mean? Yi means “two” and Peng means a full moon day. So Yi Peng refers to the full moon day in the twelfth month according to Thai Lunar Calendar, which normally took place in mid-November. The festival attracts tourists with its beautiful sight of thousands of colorful lantern. Along the banks of the Peng River, paper lanterns are released into the sky to float away while people make a wish and pray for good things for themselves, friends or their family
- Buffalo Racing Festival
Time: October or November each year
Location: in front of Chonburi City Hall
Buffalo Racing Festival has been taking place for over 100. The buffalo will take part in a race of 100 meters long. On that day, farmers from all over Chonburi province will gather at the pointed place to sell their products to villagers. They also bring their buffaloes to join in the race. You will be surprised when seeing the speed of the buffaloes. The one who wins can receive the prize from the organization
