Throughout the year there are many important and famous festival happenings in the world but right now we are focusing on Thailand’s festival a few of them you may have heard of, some you may not. Let’s see some of Thailand festival and are they worth visiting during your time in Thailand.
Songkran
This is the most obvious choice to start the list, the most popular and fun festival in Thailand “Songkran” or water festival. Songkran happen during the 13th – 15th April every year, some places may host the festival a little longer. The festival itself serves as Thai new year. It’s most famous for the water fights that happen everywhere but in the cultural way it represents cleansing and renewal.
Top location for Songkran
- Khaosan Road
- Silom Road
- Chiang Mai Old City
- Pattaya
- Temple area
Rocket Festival
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival (Isaan) one of the most energetic and explosive festival full of history, ritual, and fun. The Rocket Festival is hosted in the Northeastern of Thailand (Isaan) usually take place in May-June at the start of raining season. The purpose is to launch homemade rockets into the sky to encourage the gods to send rain for the rice paddies. It’s part religious ritual, part village competition, and part massive party
Location for Rocket Festival
- Yasothon
- Khon Kaen
- Udon Thani
Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival
Usually starts around September-October (during 9th lunar month) and last around 10 days, it’s Chinese Thai Taoist festival where participants are strictly eating vegan food. Some may perform intense purification rituals such as firewalking, body piercings and spiritual possession. Some restaurants may stop serving normal food and only serving vegan food during the festival.
Top location for Vegetarian Festival
- Bangkok China town (Yaowarat)
- Phuket (Biggest and most famous)
- Hat Yai
Loy Krathong
The festival of light starts during 12th lunar month, usually in November. The festival involves floating handmade Krathong onto the water source to ask the goddess of water for forgiveness and to cast away bad luck, or regrets. In some province like Chiang Mai, they will have their own culture to celebrate along with Loy Krathong call Yi-Peng (Sky Lantern) which will fly sky lanterns to the sky.
Top location for Loy Krathong
- Chao Phraya River area
- Universities/Schools
- Temples
- Chiang Mai
- Sukhothai
- Public Park
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Every first week of February for three days Chiang Mai turns into the colorful land of flowers as locals and visitors come together to celebrate the Flower Festival, Thailand most beautiful and fragrant event. Come and join us if you love flowers, playful parades, and culture.
Where can you see the best of Flower Festival
- Nawarat Bridge and Charoen Muang Road: The main parades route
- Suandok Park: Often hosts flower shows and cultural events.
- Buak Hard Public Park: Home to elaborate flower gardens and exhibits.
Candle Festival
The Candle Festival marks the start of the three-month Buddhist Lent, when monks are traditionally stay at their temple to focus on their study and meditation. To honor this locals work together to create massive candles carved with unique design often about Buddhist stories, local cultures and Thai myths. The candles will later be paraded through the street with traditional Thai costume, dance, and music. July is usually when the festival starts and Ubon Ratchathani is the most famous location but other provinces like Surat Thani also held a smaller one too.
These are some of the most popular festivals in Thailand, but Thai people also celebrate western festivals like Halloween, Christmas, New Year, and Valentine’s. As Thai people we celebrate every festival like there will be no next year, we do it with passion and joy, we create new things to fit the festival vibes every year. If you happen to be in Thailand during any festival not just Thai’s festival, try to go around and see for yourself that Thais can host any festival with the most fun.
