Top Festivals in Thailand

Most of Thai festivals come from Buddhism, where astrology and renewal are extremely important: each change in the sky expresses something meaningful, and each gesture has its own meaning. Thanks to this, Thai festivals usually coincide with seasonal changes such as the end of the dry or rainy season.

The customs people follow are meant to bring good luck for the future. People may dress up in traditional Thai clothing, visit the temple to earn merit, pay their respects to the Buddha and their ancestors with candles and scented water, and much more. Every gesture is important and eloquent.

If you're travelling in Thailand, join in with these celebrations and appreciate the expansive Thai culture. Festivals are conducted in a joyful and relaxed way, and foreigners are more than welcome to join in!

Highlights

• Participate in water fights on the streets during New Year
• Enjoy the unique sight of thousands of lanterns flying in the sky
• Candles floating inside small boats on the water
• Experience the fascinating traditions and culture of Buddhism
• Pay your respects to the late King
• Get to know the country through its holidays

10-Day Best of Thailand in Yi Peng Festival:

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Songkran, the new year festival

When: 13-15 April

Songkran is the biggest, most important and craziest Thai festival. It celebrates New Year with traditions full of symbolical meaning.

There is music, dance and street food everywhere, but the main activities are the omnipresent water games. Using pipes, buckets, bottles, or water guns, people will fight with water all the time, everywhere. Be prepared to be soaked from head to toe during this incredibly fun festival.

Activities

The iconic ritual of this celebration is to pour water on the statues of Buddha. In the Buddhist view, washing the statues (and oneself) is a symbol of purification: all sins, mistakes and anger will be washed away. The younger generations pour water on the hands of the elderly as a way of demonstrating respect.

The water games, celebrated mostly by young people, are a huge part of the festival. The streets, closed to traffic, are used as arenas for water fights. There are also parades and beauty contests, with women dressed up in traditional Thai clothing.

Where to celebrate

• In Bangkok, the festival is celebrated for 3 days. The official opening is held in Wat Pho, one of the most important Buddhist temples of the country. The main celebrations are held in Khao San Road, famous for its hostels and night life.
• In Chiang Mai celebrations may last up to one week. The celebrations are probably the biggest in the country. The festival starts with a procession around the city; with street food, music, dance and water fights everywhere.
• In Phuket: the Patong Beach area is the place to go. The island is full of activities that go on all night long, with water fights, concerts, parties, street food and much more.

History

The word songkran means "astrological passage". The name is borrowed from Sanskrit and it indicates a Hindi festival held in April to mark the coming of the spring.

Originally, New Year was celebrated around November, since Thai people followed a different lunar calendar. When the people moved further south, however, the celebrations shifted to April, to coincide with the warm temperatures of central Thailand.

Loy Khatrong, the light festival

When: early November

Loy Khatrong is one of the most spectacular festivals in Thailand, along with Yi Peng.

A Buddhist ceremony of purification, the main celebration sees thousands of people floating their own small boats (called khatrong[Good.]) on rivers, channels and lakes. Each boat has a small candle inside: the sight of the lights reflecting in still waters at night is something you won't forget.

The candles are a tribute to Buddha. By floating boats on the water, people want to let go of their hatred and anger, and finally find purification after the end of the rainy season.

7-Day Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Yi Peng Festival：

Yi Peng, the flying lanterns festival

When: Early November (same day as Loy Khatrong)

If you find yourself in Chiang Mai, you can witness the celebration of two festivals at the same time. On the same day people will celebrate Loy Krathong Festival and Yi Peng: the result is extraordinarily beautiful.

Yi Peng is a traditional northern festival, and the core of the celebration is the swarm of lanterns flying in the sky.

The ceremony consists of dance, music and drama. Right before the launch of the lanterns, Buddhist monks convene a group meditation. Then the lanterns are launched as fireworks are set off.

Makha bucha

When: February or March

Held on the third month of the lunar calendar, the Makha Bucha is a central Buddhist festival that celebrates four important events that happened on one day 45 years before the Buddhist era:

• 1,250 disciples came to see the Buddha without being called
• All of them were Enlightened Ones (Arathans)
• The Buddha gave them important teaching about Buddhism
• It was a full moon day

On the evening of the full-moon day, Buddhist monks walk around the ordination hall three times, with incense and flowers in their hands.

Since it is an important festival for Buddhism, Buddhists usually try to spend the day strictly following the teachings of the Buddha, visiting the temples to pray, pay their respects and offer food to the monks.

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Royal plowing ceremony

When: Early May

"The auspicious beginning of the rice growing season" has Hindu origins. It is an ancient tradition observed in different Asian countries, and it marks the beginning of the harvest season.

Thailand is the second largest exporter of rice in the world, so this festival is extremely important for farmers and the country's economy.

The ceremony is usually held at Bangkok's Sanam Luang, an open field in front of the Grand Palace. A lot of public offices are closed and the sale of alcohol is legal.

Visakha bucha

When: May or June

This most important Buddhist holiday marks the recurrence of three important events in Buddha's life, all of which occurred on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month (the Visakha month):

• The birth of the Buddha
• The enlightenment of the Buddha
• The death of the Buddha and his reaching of Nirvana

Recognized by UNESCO as "World Heritage Day", this festival is an important occasion for merit-making: people spend the day praying, visiting temples and offering food to the monks.

Meditation, mindfulness and chanting are a big part of the celebration.

12-Day Thailand Family Holiday:

King's birthday

When: December 5th

On this day, people get a day off to pay their respects to the late king His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej.

The event is also an occasion to celebrate the country's unity, since the King is also a symbol of national unity.

If you are in Thailand on that day, you can consider the following activities:

• The main celebration will be held in the city of Hua Hin. Houses will be decorated with lights, and large crowds will gather on the streets wearing yellow (the color of the king) to participate in the parade.
• Visit the palaces around the country, such as Bhubing Palace in Chiang Mai and the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
• Stand up and pay your respects when the national anthem is played.

Festival tips

Visiting countries during national holidays can be tricky, but here are a few tips to avoid problems:

• Book everything in advance: transportation, hotel, museums, etc.
• Consult festival schedules: this way you won't miss the biggest part of the celebrations and will be able to enjoy the festival fully.
• Plan transportation ahead: a lot of people are on the move during holidays, so plan your travel ahead to avoid problems.
• Be aware of scams and pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas.
• Pay attention to local customs: during holidays, laws can be really strict. Besides, always respect the local traditions.

Enjoy the Festivals with Asia Highlights

Asia Highlights welcomes the chance to help you design your perfect trip to Thailand. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in selecting destinations, accommodation and activities that best suit your requirements.

Check out the following links to learn more about our tours and get a head start today on planning your hassle-free vacation!

8-Day A Unique Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festival Tour

Best of Thailand in Yi Peng Festival 2024

5-Day Highlights of Chiang Mai & Yi Peng Festival 2022

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