Thailand Holidays And Festivals (2009)

The Thai, Buddhist, and international holidays listed below are current as of this book’s date of publication. Many of the religious days, whose dates are not determined by a lunar cycle, will be given a date by the Royal Family or religious centers at the beginning of 2009. The listed dates are subject to change. Be sure to check with the Tourism Authority of Thailand before attending one of the festivals or holiday celebrations. Note that on national holidays, most establishments and all banks are closed.

Date	Name And Location	Description
Jan. 1	New Year’s Day	International celebration of the passing year.
Jan. 18-20	Bosang Umbrella Festival, Chiang Mai	Spirited fair celebrating Bosang’s famous umbrellas, complete with crafts and contests.
Jan. 26	Chinese New Year	Fourth waxing day in the first lunar month. Celebrated by nearly all of Thailand, as many Thais are of Chinese descent. Most businesses close for at least three days.
Jan 29th.	Dragon and Lion Parade, Nakhon Sawan	A Golden Dragon, lion, and ancient deities parade with bands and the Chinese community.
Feb. 7-9	Flower Festival, Chiang Mai	Thailand’s floral float and beauty pageant extravaganza.
Feb. 23	Makha Bucha	Full moon of third lunar month. Commemoration of the 1250 disciples of Buddha coming to hear him preach. Public holiday.
Late Feb.	Late Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair, Phetchaburi	9-day local celebration featuring historical monarch processions, cooking demonstrations, and entertainment.
Mar. 13th	National Thai Elephant Day	A day to raise awareness about and commemorate Thailand’s national animal.
Mar.-Apr.	Poi Sang Long, Mae Hong Son	Stunning Shan tribal celebration of the ordainment of boys as novice monks.
Apr.	Pattaya Festival, Phuket	Delicious food, floral floats, and fireworks.
Apr. 6	Chakri Day	National holiday to commemorate the acension of the first king of the present dynasty to the throne.
Apr. 13-15	Songkran, Thai New Year	Best in Chiang Mai, the holiday is known for water: washing with scented water and throwing water at everyone.
May	Boon Bang Fai Rocket Festival, Yasothon	Celebration for a plentiful upcoming rain season for rice-planting. Homemade rockets launched.
May 1	Labor Day	Banks, factories, and offices closed.
May 5	Coronation Day	National holiday.
May 11	Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok	Official beginning of rice-planting outside the Royal Palace, with re-enactments of ancient Brahman rituals. Government holiday.
May 22-23	Visakhabucha	Full moon of sixth lunar month. Birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Holiest holiday, celebrated at every temple with candlelight processions.
May-June	Wai Kru Day	Usually a Thursday, specific date varies from school to school. A day for students to honor their teachers for their important role in children’s lives.
June	Phi Ta Khon, Dan Sai, Loei	People dress as spirits and carry Buddha images while monks read the story of the visit of his incarnation.
July 22	Khao Pansa Day: Buddhist Lent begins. Candle Festival, Ubon Ratchathani	Townspeople celebrate the monks’ Buddhist Rains Retreat by walking up to the temple with huge ornate candles. A time of giving up indulgences, the first day is commemorated with particular attention by students.
Aug. 1-10	Rambutan Fair, Surat Thani	Anniversary of the first rambutan tree planted in Surat Thani is commemorated with fruit floats and performing monkeys.
Aug.	Cake Festival	Chamber of Commerce holiday for Southern Thailand’s yummy pastries.
Aug. 12	The Queen’s Birthday, Mother’s Day	Best celebration is in Bangkok, where the city is draped in lights. Thais celebrate their queen’s birthday by honoring their own mothers.
Sept.	Barbecue Festival	Chamber of Commerce holiday for Thai food.
Sept.	Boat Races, Phichit	Annual regatta down the Nan River.
Oct.	Buffalo Races, Chonburi	Water buffaloes stop work and race each other and farmers.
Oct.	Wax Castle and Boat Racing Festival, Sakhon Nakhon	Procession of beeswax carvings of Buddhist temples to mark the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat, followed by regatta.
Early Oct.	Vegetarian Festival, Phuket	Chinese festival enjoyed since the 1800s with parades, rituals, and, of course, vegetarian food to honor two emperor gods.
Mid-Oct.	Nakhon Phanom Boat Procession	Evening ritual in which thousands of exquisitely carved boats adorned with lights are launched on the Mekong.
Oct. 23	Chulalongkorn Day	National holiday commemorating the death of King Rama V.
Nov.	Hill tribe Festival, Chiang Rai	Cultural performances and handicrafts.
Nov.	Loi Krathong & Candle Festival	Best in Sukhothai, where it originated, with fireworks and folk dancing. Also good in Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai.
Nov.	Elephant Roundup, Surin	Celebration of the revered animal, with performances by over 100 elephants, even some in costume.
Dec.	World Heritage Site celebration.	Celebration of the past with exhibitions and traditional performances
Dec.	Trooping of the Colors, Bangkok	In the Royal Plaza, the elite Royal Guards, dressed in bright colors, renew their allegiance to the Royal Family.
Early Dec.	River Kwai Bridge Week, Kanchanaburi	Remembrance of the site, with historical and archaeological exhibitions; rides on vintage trains.
Dec. 5	His Majesty’s birthday, Father’s Day	Thais celebrate the king’s birthday by honoring their own fathers.
Dec. 10	Constitution Day	The flag flies prominently among a plethora of bright lights to commemorate the country’s transition to constitutional monarchy. National holiday.
Dec. 25	Christmas	Not a public holiday, but celebrated by schoolchildren.