25

Best Festivals in Thailand

Yi Peng Festival in Thailand also known as Lantern Festival is celebrated to let go off the ills and misfortunes and head towards positivity. The entire sky turns up in yellow color as the flame powered lanterns are floating in the sky.

To add up to this gleamy delight even the fireworks are shot up in the sky and some of the people lit candles on banana leaves into the river. Each place has a little different style of celebration but the purpose remains the same for all.

Location: Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Bangkok

Date of the festival: Full moon day in November

Widely celebrated by all the communities of Thailand, this is one of the most fun-filled Festival in Thailand and is also commonly known as the “Water Festival”. The purpose behind the festival is new year celebration as per the solar new year and in this people might drench you from top to bottom in water.

In fact, people pull out long hoes, buckets, and everything else which they can use to make you wet all over. Make sure you have an extra set of pair as anyone might splash a bucket on you.

Location: All over Thailand

Date of the festival: 13th to 15th April

Celebrated for three consecutive days this is one of the most interesting festivals of the Thai population and is a blend of religious traditions along with a light aura. Also called as the Ghost festival, its origin is from the beliefs of Buddhist and animists.

On this festival, people wear gaudy masks, vibrant dresses, and parade on the roads in groups. To keep up the engagement of participants there are live shows, music and beauty pageants, and several other activities.

Location: Dan Sai district, Thailand

Date of the festival: 5th to 7th July

Widely celebrated to honor the Issan community of Thailand Boon Bang Fai is also called as the Rocket Festival and is a three-day long celebration. The prominence of the festival is that the rockets are shot up in the sky so that the Gods are pleased and they send down plenty of rainfall for the plants.

Generally, it begins before the plantation season and al the villages of the north-eastern region celebrate it on a large scale. A celebration is incomplete without entertainment and for that, there is a folk dance, folk music, parties filled with fun and frolic.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Date of the festival: 8th to 12th May

Getting its name from the reason why it is celebrated, that is for the giant elephants. The elephants have proven their part in all the needs and demands of the Thai community right from the battles to the agricultural purpose, and to venerate them Surin Elephant Festival is celebrated.

On this day, you can spot parades of elephants walking in the northeastern region and are fed zealously with fruits and food that the like. One must surely attend this festival as with this you can take a deep insight into the culture and traditions of Thailand.

Location: Surin Province, Thailand

Date of the festival: 16th November

The age-old tradition of buffalo racing is still intact in the Thai region and henceforth Wing Kwai which or commonly known as the Buffalo Racing Festival is celebrated. The buffalos trace the 100 m long path along the Chonburi hall and the one which is the fastest wins the race.

Not only this but in this festival, there are prizes for the well-decorated buffaloes and there is a beauty pageant as well. This is one of the best festivals in Thailand where you can know about the culture and history of the place.

Location: Chonburi, Thailand

Date of the festival: 13th October

One of the most fierce Festival in Thailand, Phuket Vegetarian Festival is surely not for the faint-hearted. People pierce down their body parts to pay their gratitude to the Nine Emperor of Gods and is mainly celebrated by the Chinese community of the region.

Apart from this, they even curtail out garlic, meat, and onions from their diet plan for two months and end the festival with striking fireworks. On the very first day, one can witness the parades where the devotees perform intense acts and others just accompany them by playing soft opera music.

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Date of the festival: 29th September to 7th October

Famed as the food Festival in Thailand, this day is a delight for the monkeys. On this day, all the monkey of the Lopburi district which is approximately 150 km away from Thailand is offered fruits, vegetables, and several other food items literally in tons.

Since the time of Hanuman, apes are always welcomed in Thailand where you can feed them from your hands or just add your festivities in the trail of food.

Location: Lopburi, 150 km from Bangkok, Thailand

Date of the festival: 23rd to 24th November

Bung Fai Phaya Nak or Mekong lights as called by the locals this is the festival celebrated to greet Buddha on his arrival on earth. On the very first day of his arrival the Naga balls shoot up in the sky and lit up the sky. It is celebrated along with the Phayanak Festival and is usually celebrated on the 15th day of the 11th lunar month.

The origin of Naga balls is still unknown but the site above the Mekong river from which the fireballs rise is a treat to the eyes. Almost 10,000 balls of fire turn up in the sky and lit it well with its hues.

Location: Phon Phisai District., Thailand

Date of the festival: Late in October

Truly a fun-filled festival of Thailand is the Chinese New Year when the roads are flooded with people and the houses are decorated with vibrant colored decorative items. The alleys of Chinatown turns up lively and there are firecrackers, dancing dragons, and unparalleled enthusiasm.

If you wish to relish in the true essence of Chinese culture then this is the festival which you should be part of. Apart from this, you can spot lanterns going up in the sky, parades with people in variant costumes, and people singing and dancing with great zeal.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Date of the festival: 25th January

Celebrated mainly in the Ubon Ratchathani region of Isan, this festival is an elaborated version of candle parading. Based on its origin; it is also called as the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival in which the glare of the candles is said to dispel the gloom and bring glow and brightness to the country.

It is celebrated near Ashana Puja and people parade on the roads with giant candles and sing the melodies along with it. On the same day, there are small ceremonies that take place in the temples of Thailand.

Location: Entire Thailand

Date of the festival: 16th July

The Wonderfruit Music and Arts Festival is a large scale celebration of music and art in Pattaya. Artists from all over the world come to this festival along with their masterpieces which could not only be seen but could be bought as well. There is always eclectic music playing in the background and the brilliantly talented artists join the music shows.

Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Date of the festival: 12th to 16th December

Entry Fee: Almost INR 8800

The hues of different colors to the tantalizing aroma of classic Thai delights is what makes this festival a prominent mark of Thailand. Umbrellas of different colors are lined up in the alleys of Bor Sang and there are pop up stalls of different craft items which are hand-made by the locals. Though it is a small even in the calendar but the art and craft lovers cannot resist this funky festival.

Location: Bor Sang, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Date of the festival: 18th to 20th January

Entry Fee: Almost INR 300

Enjoy a Thailand festival of flowers in the “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai. Different formations and structures are made out of flowers and the roads are adorned with them. The aura of the city changes and one can whiff in the fresh smell of flowers all over the region.

You can even buy different flowers from lilies to Damask rose at the stalls of the local vendors. Apart from this, there is a competition of Miss Chiang Mai flower festival and the one who wins get the crown.

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Date of the festival: 1st week of February

The last day of Songkran Thailand festival is celebrated as the Wan Lai Festival. On this day, people are armed with the powered hoses while others use the buckets to drench others in the water. Another unique paste is made out of talcum powder and water which everyone applies to each other.

Make sure that it does not go in your eyes as that might irritate you. It is majorly celebrated in Pattaya for the best version of it you can go to the beach front which has a pool of water shooters.

Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Date of the festival: 19th January

The Bangkok International Film Festival is held once in every year since 2003. In this festival, the celebrities are awarded for their brilliant work in the movies and there is a live screening of movies. Mostly the work is handled by the Festival Management of Bangkok and the red carpet lays down for the Hollywood celebrities.

There are several dance acts, drama, and everything you need for an action-packed day. The festival is witnessed by a remarkable count of celebrities and if you wish to get the autographs with them then this is your place to be.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Date of the festival: 27th to 30th October

Celebrated on the beachfront resort the Centara Grand, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival is a delight for all the senses. You listen to the soft Jazz music or make a move on the electrifying beats on this festival. The aura of the resort lightens up the mood and everyone just blends with the soothing vibes of the music. Certain celebrities come to join this and there are even dance acts for the entertainment of the people.

Location: Hua Hin, Thailand

Date of the festival: 6th June to 8th June

To signify the end of the Buddhist Lent, Lai Ruea Fai is celebrated in Thailand. The celebration is on a small scape where the illuminated boats of striking colors are sailed into the Mekong river and are called the “Lai Ruea Fai”.

The locals believe that doing this waves away their problems and sadness and also brings positivity into their lives.  They even believed that Lord Buddha resides in the river and this is the reason boats are sailed in the river.

Location: Kantharawichai district, Thailand

Date of the festival: 3rd November

Loi Krathong Festival is one of the most vibrant festivals in Thailand and offers jaw-dropping frames to visitors. This coincides with Yi Peng which is also celebrated on the full moon day, but in this festival, the elegantly crafted banana leaf boats are sailed into the Ping river.

Each one of the boats is lit up by a candle and this is done to ask forgiveness for all the sins one has done. When you release the lantern in the river, don’t forget to make a wish as this what the locals believe. The local vendors line up the course of the river with small stalls and you can easily buy a Krathong from here.

Location: Entire Thailand

Date of the festival: 13th November

As the locals never lose a chance of celebrating Christmas Eve is their perfect gala time. The malls, alleys, and all other places are all adorned with the decorated wreaths and Christmas trees which keep on shining with the cute little bells and gifts.

In addition to that, there are even parties and several other events ongoing in the country at the resorts and countless other sites. Though it is not a traditional festival of the country, but people rejoice themselves with gifts and greet each other with compassion.

The churches transform and the interior, as well as exteriors, are all painted with vibrant colors. Also, there is a Santa to complete the celebration at the sites and the best places to visit on Christmas Eve are Chiangmai and Bangkok.

Location: Entire Thailand

Date of the festival: 24th December

One of Theravada Buddhism prominent festivals, Asalha Puja is also called as the Dhamma Day. Everyone is taught about the four noble truths of life on this day that are there is suffering, suffering is caused by craving, there is a state beyond suffering, and the last one there is an eightfold path to solve all the problems. Usually, on this day people listen to the sermons and offer eatables and utility things to the needy people.

Location: Entire Thailand

Date of the festival: 16th July

People of Thailand follow Buddhism immensely and that is why Vesak is celebrated in this region. Famed as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, The idea behind this day is to commemorate the birth, death, and the enlightenment phase of Buddha’s life cycle.

On this day, several birds and insects are also let free as a symbol of liberation and everything beneficial for mankind like donations are done mostly on this auspicious day.

Location: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and several others

Date of the festival: 18th May

Celebrated to mark the beginning of the rice plantations this festival is one of the most interesting festivals in the country and celebrated in the villages. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is also known as the Royal Ploughing Festival or Farmer’s day, as it signifies the outbreak of rice growing season and is an important day for the farmers.

The people are decked up in colorful costumes and the monarch begins the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. This festival has a fusion of origin that is from Hinduism and Buddhism.

Location: All over Thailand

Date of the festival: 9th May