Thailand A Festive Occasion

Thailand is a country that loves its festivals, with regional and national celebrations catering to every event, object, and even fruit imaginable. The biggest bash of the year is April’s Songkran , or Thai New Year, a country-wide water-fight and a time to pay homage to elders, and which gets most spirited in Chiang Mai. The northern capital is also home to January’s Umbrella Festival and February’s Flower Festival . All things beeswax are paraded through the streets of Ubon Ratchathani during the Candle Festival in July. Thailand’s beloved fruits are feted many times in many places, from August’s Rambutan Fair in Surat Thani to July’s Durian Festival in Chanthaburi . For a detailed listing of festivals throughout Thailand, check out Holidays and Festivals . Nourish your spirit

Chiang Mai is known for its cultural heritage, and is home to more than 300 wats. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep’s , golden chedi attracts visitors from all over the world. Bangkok houses the impressive Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Bangkok’s most-visited wat . Ayutthaya’s collection of wats is among the oldest in Thailand, though many were ruined when the Burmese ransacked it in 1767. Lopburi provides similar sights with fewer crowds. Wat Sri Chum in Sukhothai features a 15m “talking” Buddha. Also in Sukhothai, Wat Mahathat has a beautiful lotus-shaped chedi, In Khorat, the inner sanctuary of Wat Sala Loi is shaped like a ship, symbolizing the passage of its devoted students to Nirvana. Sala Kaew Ku in Nong Khai was designed according to Buddhist cosmology and houses some bizarre sculptures, a few of which tower five stories high. Hidden among the millions of guesthouses and hordes of tourists in southern Thailand is Wat Borommthat Chaiya . Wat Tham Suwannakuha is composed of several attached caves near Phang-Nga. Nearby, Krabi’s Wat Tham Sua showcases Buddha’s footprints, a Tiger Cave, and an inhabited monastery.

Island	Description	Beaches	Highlights
Ko Samet Central	Best beaches on the east coast.	Ao Cho (Lung Wang), Ao Hin Khok, Ao Kiu, Ao Klang, Ao Noina, Ao Nuan, Ao Phai, Ao Phrao, Ao Thian, Ao Tub Tim, Ao Wai, Ao Wong Duan, Hat Lung Dum, Hat Sai Kaew	Snorkeling in Ao Kiu’s coral reefs, hanging out at Ao Phai, and camping under the stars on Ao Thian.
Ko Chang Central	An increasingly commercialized hot spot.	Hat Kai Bae, Hat Khlong Phrao, Hat Sai Khao	Exploring Ko Chang National Marine Park.
Ko Phi Phi South	Natural paradises beset by encroaching tourism.	Ao Lo Dalam, Maya Bay, Ao Thon Sai, Hat Hin Kohn, Hat Yao (Long Beach), Laem Him, Ma Prao	Plenty of dive sites, tours of stunning Maya Bay, and longtail boat trips.
Ko Tao South	Southeast Asia’s biggest dive-training site.	Ao Chalok Ban Kao, Ao Leuk, Ao Tanote, Ao Thian, Hat Sai Ree, Laem Taa Toh, Mae Hat, Laem Nam Tok	Fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving just about anywhere on the island.
Ko Phangan South	Sun-soaked beaches by day, drunken tourists by night.	Hat Khuat (Bottle Beach), Hat Rin Nai, Hat Rin Nok, Thong Sala, Thong Nai Paan Yai, Thong Nai Paan Noi	Wild Full Moon parties, soothing Bottle Beach, and refreshing waterfalls.
Ko Samui South	An island of extremes, from McDonald’s to the jungle.	Ao Bang Po, Ao Thongsai, Ao Yai Noi, Hat Bangrak (Big Buddha Beach), Hat Bo Phut, Hat Chaweng, Hat Choeng Mon, Hat Lamai, Hat Mae Nam, Laem Thongson, Na Thon	The Big Buddha, Hat Chaweng’s nightlife, Ang Thong Marine National Park, and beautiful inland waterfalls.
Phuket South	Thailand’s biggest and most touristed island.	Ao Bang Tao, Ao Chalong, Hat Kamala, Hat Karon, Hat Kata, Hat Nai Yang, Hat Patong, Hat Rawai, Hat Surin	Snorkeling and diving at Hat Karon and Hat Kata, gorgeous Hat Surin, and nightlife hub Hat Patong.