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BANGKOK

5 Thailand Festivals That You Need to Experience in Your Lifetime

BY Pelago by Singapore Airlines

30 NOV 22 . 3 MIN READ . GUIDES

Best Thailand Festivals

Thailand festivals are like your favourite delicacies – you never know you need them until you have tried one yourself. True enough, most of those who come to Thailand only have shopping, partying, and visiting temples on their mind. Not that you should skip these on your next Thailand holiday. But Thai festivals are a whole other experience. These culture-filled celebrations are recognised across the country, making them a great way to live a local!

Get ready. These Thailand festivals are guaranteed to make it into your itinerary in three, two, one…

1. Chinese New Year

Most countries with a sizeable Chinese population celebrate this yearly event, usually between January and February. And much like those places, Thailand’s version is marked by dynamic lion dance performances and sumptuous feasts among friends and families. What you will get depends on where the celebrations bring you; whether you are on the streets or somewhere indoors.

And what’s Chinese New Year without ang paos (monetary gifts), tonnes of firecrackers, and crowds of people wearing red, the colour of good luck? Hang around Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok’s Chinatown, if you want to participate in any of these celebrations.


2. Songkran

Don’t mind getting drenched? If you had to rank Thailand festivals in terms of popularity, then most likely Songkran will be at the top of that list. Famously known for its water fights and showers in the streets of Thailand, it begins every 13th day of April. Sometimes even lasting up to an entire week every year.

This period of the year may symbolise the country’s hottest days. But it may surprise you that it’s not the reason for holding such a festival. Literally meaning the “passage of the sun,” Songkran is about washing away misfortune to make way for a fresh start.

So, if you end up getting hosed down while in Khao San and Siam (just a few popular places for the street parties), remember to pass on the blessing to the person next to you!


3. Loy Krathong

Songkran’s biggest draw may be the water for its celebrations. But there’s a separate occasion dedicated to the element itself. And it is held in November.

During Loy Krathong (meaning the “festival of light”), you will see Thais sending small decorative boats down the nearest body of water. This tradition is about thanking Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water, for blessing them with water as the local rainy season is ending, among other things. Some Thais even place a candle in boats, or even cash!

Join in the celebration by buying a krathong or boat from a local vendor and heading to a river. Or a pond, lake (try Lumpini Park), and even your hotel’s swimming pool. If it’s your first-time in Bangkok, then sailing down the Chao Praya River is a good place to start.


4. The King’s Birthday

To this day, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is considered the most beloved monarch by Thais. The locals, particularly those residing in Bangkok, continue to commemorate him through King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary, officially a national public holiday in the country.

Parades, flower displays, music exhibitions, and fireworks around The Grand Palace were previously a common sight. These went on until the King’s passing in 2016. Some traditions have remained, including temple visits, and Thai flags and portraits of the King displayed in homes and public spaces as an homage to one of Thailand’s most prominent rulers.


5. Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music

As a staple destination for fun-loving tourists, Thailand does not lack people dancing, singing, and having a great time. If you happen to be one of them, here’s your chance to officially celebrate it: the Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music. Among the youngest festivals on this list, having begun only in 1999 in honor of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Happening between September and October, it is the largest festival of its kind to take place in Bangkok.

Expect to witness weeks worth of exhibitions showing the Thais’ artistry and culture beyond the traditional festivals you may already know. Seats are usually limited. So be sure to keep following the the official website for updates on how to buy tickets.


6. Bonus: Pattaya festivals

Got a bit more time on your hands? Roughly two hours from Bangkok, Pattaya has made a name for itself as one of Thailand’s top destinations to experience festivals. The Wonderfruit Music and Arts Festival is perhaps the most visited. The event happens a few days each December, with music, arts, and learning experiences through various workshops.

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival is another must-try. Visitors from all over the world come to showcase their pyrotechnic displays for everyone to enjoy.

Which of these events are you eyeing to experience? Get into the festive mood and see Thailand in a whole new light.

 



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