Thailand's Public Holdays and Festivals
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Thailand FestivalsThere are many festivals and public holidays in Thailand which can be frustrating for the traveller as shops and travel agents close down for public holidays and resorts fill up with holiday-making Thais. However some of these can be quite a spectacle and a tourist attraction in themselves. The exact dates tend to vary from year to year but tourist information facilities should be able to tell you when specific festivals will be held.
January
New Year's Day
That Phanom Festival : yearly homage to Phra That Phanom in the north-east province of Nakhon Phanom attracting pilgrims from nearby countries as well as Thailand.
February
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Magha Puja is held on the full moon to commemorate Buddha preaching to enlightened monks. The festival culminates with celebrants walking round the main chapel of every wat holding candles.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Diamond Festival is a celebration of Phetchaburi's history lasting a week.
Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of fireworks late February to early March. The exact date tends to change each year.March
Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival is a contest for singing doves and is held in Yala in the first week of March.
Bangkok International Jewellery Fair is a gem and jewellery trade show held in some of Bangkok's larger hotels.
Phanom Rung Festival is held the last week of March. There is procession up Phanom Rung Hill with sound and light shows at night to celebrate restoration work done in Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram Province.April
Chakri Day is a public holiday on 6 April to commemorate Rama I, founder of the Chakri Day.
Songkran is the Thai New Year held from 13 to 15 April. Everyone chucks water around and smears each other with mud. Water pistols are sold in Bangkok for this event.May
International Labour Day is a public holiday held 1 May.
Coronation Day is a public holiday held 5 May.
Visakha Puja is a public holiday commemorating the date of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing on.Mid-May to mid-June
Phi Ta Khon Festival is an animist/Buddhist celebration held in Loei Province.
Rocket Festival. Villagers in the northeast make rockets out of bamboo and fire them into the sky to bring rain.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held at start of rice-planting season with an ancient Brahman ritual at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.July
Asalha Puja commemorates Buddha's first sermon.
Khao Phansa is a public holiday beginning Buddhist period of 'Lent'.August
Queen's birthday is a public holiday held on 12 August.
September
Thailand International Swan-Boat Races are held in Bangkok in mid-September.
Narathiwat Fair is a festival lasting a week celebrating local culture in Narathiwat Province.
Vegetarian Festival is a nine-day celebration held late September to early October in Trang and Phuket observed by devout Chinese Buddhists who only eat vegetarian (no meat, seafood or eggs) during this period.October
Kathin is held mid-October to mid-November at the end of Buddhist Lent.
Chulalongkorn Day is a public holiday held 23 October to commemorate King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).November
Loi Krathong is held on a full-moon night. Small baskets or boats containing flowers, incense and candles are floated on bodies of water in Thailand.
Surin Annual Elephant Roundup is held the third weekend of November.
River Kwai Bridge Week is held late November to early December in Kanchanaburi.December
King's Birthday is a public holiday held 5 December
Constitution Day is a public holiday held 10 December
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