Festivals
Chinese
New Year, a time of firecrackers, lion dancers parading through
the streets and time to ‘spring-clean’ the house, is celebrated
in February by all Chinese-Thais. Lanterns line the streets and
the smell of incense wafts through the air. Dragon parades weave
down roads and children gad about everywhere.
Royal
Ploughing Ceremony May An ancient Brahman ritual, conducted
at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, in which farmers believe is able to forecast
the abundance of the next rice crop. The event is a result of series
of ceremonies that are conducted by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by
a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
who wears colourful tradition costumes. This ceremony is considered
the official commencement of the rice-growing season.
The
most frenetic festival in the country is that of Songkran,
the Luna New Year. Held from the 13th to 15th April each year…it’s
a wet one! Traditionally it was celebrated by Buddha images being
bathed with water and the showing of respect to monks and elders.
From the sprinkling of water onto someone’s hands as a sign
of respect it has evolved into mass drenching for anyone who decides
to venture outdoors. This has to be one of the friendliest, though
wet, festivals anywhere and a great way to make new friends.
TIP:
Travellers be warned, don’t leave cameras, computers or cell
phones, unprotected…nothing is spared if you happen to get
a dousing.
The
15th May is Buddha’s Birthday. Local Wats (Buddhist Temples)
celebrate by holding candlelit processions. A tourist may take part
in these parades and it can prove great fun.
TIP:
Lady visitors please note; a monk may not touch a woman so please
show respect and keep your distance.
July,
sees Thai Buddhists celebrating Buddhist ‘lent’ or Asanha
Puja, the full moon festival. Beginning mid to late in the month,
this is the period when young men enter their monk hood for the
rainy season and ordained monks remain in a single monastery for
three months. One can view Buddhist temples throughout the year,
but this tradition can be picturesque due to the activity of the
saffron robed followers.
It’s
the Queen’s Birthday on August 12th and also Thailand’
s ‘mother’s day’. As with all royal anniversaries
this celebration guarantees a firework display.
One
of the most beautiful and moving sights are the festivities relating
to the annual festival of Loi Krathong held in November. This is
when you cast away your troubles and call in the hopes of the future.
As the moon rises in the evening a small lotus-shaped raft of banana
leaves filled with flowers, a candle, a snip of your nail, a piece
of your hair and a few coins, is set afloat in the ocean or down
a waterway conjuring up good luck for the forthcoming year. In some
areas large paper hot-air balloons are also released.
December
5 is the King’s Birthday. The King is much revered throughout
Thailand, something that is probably unique in the world today.
All Thais celebrate his birthday and government buildings, private
homes, businesses and the palace are all illuminated specially for
the occasion. In Phuket, they hold a regatta in his honor.
Trooping
of the Colours December Their Majesties the King and Queen preside
over this impressive annual event, held in the Royal Plaza near
the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Dressed in colourful
uniforms, amid much pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal
Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the
Royal Family.
Official
Holidays
January
1 - New Year’s Day
February (full moon day) - Makka Bucha
April 6 - Chakri Day
April 13 - Songkran, Thai New Year
May 1 - Labor Day
May 5 - Coronation Day
May 7 - Ploughing Ceremony
May (full moon day) - Visakha Bucha
July (full moon day) - Asanha Bucha commemorates the first sermon
of Buddha
August 12 - Queen’s Birthday
October 23 - Chulalongkorn Day
December 5 - King’s Birthday
December 10 - Constitution Day
December 31 - New Year’s Eve
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