Tripbaa Fun! Asia’s Free Travel Expert
When talking about Thai festivals, the first one that comes to mind is definitely the Thai Songkran Water Festival. In the hot summer, everyone joins in the fun of splashing water to celebrate this lively and entertaining Thai festival. But don’t think that’s the end of Thailand’s festivities after summer — once the cool season from November to February arrives, there are also grand and romantic events like the Thai Lantern Festival, as well as the Ayutthaya Heritage Festival on the outskirts of Bangkok, both of which are well worth visiting. Now let’s take a look at what fun things you can do there!
The Lantern Festival (Loi Krathong) is actually a traditional festival celebrated across Southeast Asia, and depending on the country or region, it’s observed in different ways. The Thai version is said to have originated over 800 years ago during the Sukhothai Kingdom. On the full moon night of the 12th lunar month each year, people would release handmade lanterns onto the river to make their wishes come true. The king and queen would also cruise the river in a dragon boat, joining in the festivities with the people.
Thai Festival - Thai Lantern Festival. (Photo by John Shedrick, Flickr CC License)
Although this story hasn’t been verified, the beautiful lantern activities have continued to this day and remain one of the most worthwhile sights and experiences of the Thai Lantern Festival. This year, the Thai Lantern Festival falls on November 22nd, and various celebrations will be held in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, and other places. For example, Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is one of the liveliest spots, where you can release lanterns along the riverbank or take a boat ride to admire the floating lights. There’s also the Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival, offering fantastic ways to experience the Thai Lantern Festival!
■ Thai Lantern Festival: 2018/11/22
Thai Festival - Thai Lantern Festival. (Photo by UrbanUrban_ru, Flickr CC License)
This year, thanks to the immense popularity of the Thai drama "Buppesannivas", Bangkok’s nearby Ayutthaya has become a hot tourist destination in Thailand. And when visiting Ayutthaya, must-see attractions include the magnificent ruins left by the ancient capital, such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana. These sites offer rich and profound historical culture.
The Ayutthaya Heritage Festival is a Thai festival event held annually in mid-December. It not only illuminates the ancient ruins with dazzling lights but also sets up temporary night markets around Wat Mahathat, featuring a variety of Thai street food, performances, and Thai-style photo backdrops. Visitors can not only enjoy delicious meals but also take amazing photos. The Ayutthaya Heritage Festival not only brings people closer to these historic sites but also lights up the entire city at night.
■ Ayutthaya Heritage Festival Dates: 2018/12/07 – 2018/12/16
■ Ayutthaya Heritage Festival Attractions: Wat Mahathat
Thai Festival - Night View of the Ayutthaya Heritage Festival. (Photo by Tripbaa Fun!)
Of course — the most beloved Thai festival is the annual and grand Thai Songkran Water Festival. Like the Lantern Festival, the Songkran Festival is also a traditional celebration across Southeast Asia. Its original Thai name is Songkran Festival, which is equivalent to the Thai New Year, featuring a series of activities including prayers, paying respects to elders, and water-splashing blessings.
Thai Festival - Thai Songkran Festival. (Photo by Ben Reeves, Flickr CC License)
In short, the Thai Songkran Festival can be divided into three periods: letting go of the old, praying for blessings, and welcoming the new year. During this time, people use clean water and perfume to bathe Buddha statues, praying for happiness and peace. Then they go to temples to build sand stupas, bathe the Buddha, and listen to sermons. Finally, we get to the well-known water-splashing activities, where people splash each other with water symbolizing cleanliness and purity, washing away the misfortunes of the past year and ushering in a fresh start while blessing each other.
■ Songkran Festival Dates: 2019/4/13 – 4/16
■ Songkran Festival Attractions: Khao San Road, Siam Square, CentralWorld
Thai Festival - Thai Songkran Festival. (Photo by Jan, Flickr CC License)
The Phi Ta Khon Festival (Ghost Festival) in Loei Province is a unique Thai festival in Thailand’s northeastern region, held for three days every June or July. It includes ceremonies, parades, prayers, and more. Legend says the festival originated hundreds of years ago when a Thai prince, who was an incarnation of the Buddha, was returning to heaven and asked the people of Loei to forget him. Touched by his request, the gods allowed him to return to Loei. As a result, people and spirits gathered to celebrate and worship. To appease the spirits that startled the villagers, residents held ceremonies, thus starting the annual tradition of the festival.
As for why the exact dates of the Loei Ghost Festival vary between mid-June and mid-July? That’s because the precise date is determined each year through a ritual where elders consult the spirits. Typically, on the second day of this Thai festival, locals dress up as colorful ghosts and spirits and parade through the streets in celebration, resembling a lively, large-scale carnival.
■ Loei Ghost Festival Dates: Three days in mid-June to mid-July
■ Loei Ghost Festival Attractions: Dan Sai Town, Loei Province
■ Related Website: Tourism Authority of Thailand
The last Thai festival — the Buddhist Lent Day or Khao Phansa Festival, also known as the Candle Festival, is a very important Thai holiday. The Thai lunar month’s Khao Phansa marks the beginning of the rainy season, which is also the time for crop irrigation. Traditionally, monks are prohibited from leaving temples to beg for alms during this period and must stay inside to practice and study Buddhism. Therefore, locals visit temples to offer food, toiletries, and other necessities.
Additionally, during this Thai festival, people make candles that can burn for three months for monks to use during chanting. Thus, candles became a central theme of the Khao Phansa Festival. People carry flowers and candles in street processions, and in some areas, there are candle carving competitions and “Candle Queen” contests. Each year’s celebrations are unique and lots of fun!
■ Thai Khao Phansa Festival Date: 2019/07/17
■ Thai Khao Phansa Festival Attractions: Ubon Ratchathani City, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ayutthaya
■ Related Website: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Authorized reprint from [Tripbaa Funbaa] | Original source: [2018 Loy Krathong Festival & Ayutthaya Heritage Festival: 5 Major Thai Festivals You Can Enjoy All Year Round]
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