12 Festivals You Should Attend When You Are in Thailand

Also known as the Ghost Festival, this is one of the most interesting Thailand traditional festivals. Phi Ta Khon is a festival that combines religious traditions, a fun-loving party atmosphere, and local handicrafts. It is celebrated for three days with thousands of locals wearing colorful, ghastly masks with stretched faces and phallic noses, painted in bright, and gaudy colors. The Ghost Festival’s origin is a mixture of Buddhist and animist beliefs. Friday is usually when the main parade takes place, Saturday has music shows and pageants while Sunday is reserved for Buddhist ceremonies.

Location: Dan Sai Town
How To Reach: The easiest way to get there is from Chiang Mai (a 5-hour bus journey) or Udon Thani (a 3-hour bus journey)
Held On: The weekend of the lunar calendar’s 6th full moon
Tip: If you are planning to visit the town for the Ghost Festival, make sure that you book your hotel or guesthouse early

July – Ubon Ratchathani

Celebrating the start of Buddhist lent, the Candle Festival is held within the Northeast regions of Thailand, and is renowned for being one of the most beautiful and spectacular festivals in the country. Marking the beginning of the rainy season, where buddhist monks retreat into the temples for three months of reflection, for this quarter of the year there is no electricity within the province, and as such candles are placed around the temple to give warmth, heat and comfort to the monks within.

In order to light the way for the monks, the candles themselves are large and often scale at least two metres tall. Built in Wat Chayaporn, and covered in stunning intricate patterns, these wax artworks are balanced in wax Buddhist lotus flowers and paraded through the region of Ubon Ratchathani in celebration. Held in regard as some of the most beautiful candles in the world, since 1927, a candle competition has been the highlight of the program for many. Once judged all of the candles are then displayed during an eclectic and colourful parade, where everyone celebrates to the beat of Northeastern traditional dance and music.

A hallmark event that’s guaranteed to take your breath away, this festival is culturally rich and burns brighter than the sun.

Also known as Songkran Festival, the Water Festival Thailand is perhaps one of the most fun festivals in the country, and possibly in the world! This long and large festival involves a 3-day water fight in which people participate across the country. With drinking, music, dancing, and people drenched from head to toe, people use buckets, hose pipes, water guns, and anything else that they can get their hands on to use to splash water on others. Sounds fun?

Held On: April 13th to 15th

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Also See:

• Things you should know about Thailand’s Songkran Festival
• Tokyo overtakes Bangkok as the top Songkran destination
• Siam Songkran Festival lights up this year’s Songkran in Bangkok
• Thailand Songkran Festival 2019

12 August – Nationwide

When thinking of Thailand, people tend to envisage the beautiful white sands of the country’s coastal line, or the bustling streets of busy Bangkok, or even the lush terrain of the rainforests. However what doesn’t always immediately spring to mind is the country’s illustrious royal family. Whilst Queen Sirikit might not quite have the same profile as the Windsors, she has had a strong influence on the architecture of Thailand, and is incredibly significant and important to the country’s culture. Every year on 12th August, the people of Thailand celebrate their Monarch’s birthday in style, creating a beautiful festive tradition that truly incorporates the beauty and the culture of this exquisite country.

Paying tribute to Queen Sirikit, the buildings are bedecked in grand decorations to honour her, with the most splendid being in Bangkok, where many buildings and streets are adorned with coloured lights, flowers and even portraits of the Queen. During her birthday, flags, festivals and parties take place across the whole of the nation, as the country is swept up into a party frenzy that lasts both through the day and well into the night.

An unforgettable festival, the Queen’s birthday is the perfect way to experience the beauty and the culture of this great nation.

With Chinese New Year, one of the most exhilarating Thailand celebrations can be witnessed in Yaowaraj – the official Chinatown of Bangkok. This area’s narrow, bustling alleys are always a fun and exciting place to explore. Every nook and cranny of the street as well as surrounding alleys, comes to life with dragon and lion dancers, exploding firecrackers, iconic red Chinese lanterns, crowds of worshippers as well as locals who gather to participate in the fanfare and enjoy mouth-watering Chinese banquets. So if at all you happen to be in Bangkok around the Chinese New Year, head straight to the northern edge of Chinatown, i.e., Wat Mangkon Kamalawat on Charoen Krung Street.

Held On: Usually in January or February every year

September – October – Nationwide

If you can’t make the illustrious candle festival, then don’t worry too much as you may be able to catch the Long Boat Racing Festival instead. Marking the end of the Buddhists Rains Retreat, this traditional boating celebration happens all over the country, with some of the biggest boat races taking place in Ayutthaya, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Narathiwat.

A culturally significant festival that represents how historically, people had to travel in boats between districts after the rainy season, it’s an age old tradition that’s been around for 600 years. Seen as raising morale and encouraging bravery, the sporting event involves numerous races and test of endurance, where winners are given cups and awards to celebrate their illustrious achievements. Whilst competitive, this festival is all about community spirit and is often accompanied by music, celebrations and festivities that truly bring this event to life.

This is a Thailand food festival with a difference. Located at a distance of 150 kms in the north of Bangkok, this festival takes place in Lopburi. It is famous for the many monkeys that reside there, and one of the most popular activities for tourists when they visit Lopburi is feeding the simians. However, come November and the simple treats that they get from visitors are replaced by something a lot more grand. A huge banquet is laid out for about 3,000 monkeys that live in this part of Thailand, giving them a day to feast on 4 tons of fruits, vegetables and an array of other treats. Interesting much?

Held In: November

October – Samut Prakan

The Rap Bua Festival literally translates as ‘the ritual of gifting and receiving lotus flowers’, and that’s exactly what this festival celebrates. A beautiful and unique ancient Buddhist tradition celebrated by the locals of the Bang Phli District in the Samut Prakan province, it’s a significant cultural event that showcases the locals generosity.

Celebrated in the month of October, the highlight of the festival is undeniably the majestic barge procession, where a replica of Luang Phor Toh Buddhist is sailed across the waters of the Samrong canal. As locals stand and watch along the banks, they throw lotus flowers around the barge into the river as a mark of their respect and adoration. Custom also decreases that those who throw lotus flowers before the image of Luang Phor Toh will be granted a wish. Centuries ago, men and women traditionally would wish to meet their soulmate at every Rap Bua festival, however over the years, many have broken away from this particular tradition and now wish for whatever their heart may desire.

If you want to see one of the most spectacular celebrations, you should plan your trip around the festival of Yi Peng or the Lantern Festival. Like in countries like China and Vietnam, Chiang Mai’s Lantern Festival is one of the most amazing sights you will ever see. People gather down by the banks of the Peng River and release thousands of paper lanterns into the sky and watch them float away in the gentle evening breeze. Although it is a more of a tradition than a festival, it is definitely a fantastic photo op for capturing some beautiful memories. You can also witness religious ceremonies, firework displays, parades, and the releasing of paper boats in the river. It is one of the best festivals in Thailand 2018.

Held On: The full moon of the 12th Lunar Month, i.e., November

November – Nationwide

Undeniably one of the most beautiful and breathtaking festivals of all, the Loi Krathong festival is celebrated across the whole of the country, where thousands of candles and lanterns are lit across the night sky.

An unforgettable sight, perhaps one of the most iconic and memorable celebrations is held in Chiang Mai, where thousands of lanterns are released by locals and travellers alike who all come together to fill the night sky with their light. Alternatively other regions across Thailand choose to create floating baskets (otherwise known as a krathong) that are fashioned from banana leaves, flowers and incense sticks, which are then let loose to float across the waters of the regions.

Symbolising new beginnings, couples traditionally use this festival to wish for a happy life of marriage together as they release their lantern or their basket together at the same time, whilst others may place coins within their krathong as an offering to Buddha and the water spirits.

If you’re looking to capture a picture perfect memory, make sure that you the Loi Krathong festival is a priority for your luxury adventure to Thailand.

With so many beautiful and culturally significant festivals to choose from, no matter when you choose to holiday around Thailand, you can be sure that you’ll be experiencing something truly unforgettable and extraordinary.

Also known as the Rocket Festival, this is a famous festival in Thailand that is significant to the farming communities of Issan, which is located in the north-eastern part of the country. Entire villages attend the festival because they are considered the last big ‘knees up’ before the start of the planting season. The rockets are shot up to encourage the Gods to send down plenty of rainfall. Elaborate rockets are built and paraded around on the first day of Boon Bang Fai, and then launched high into the air throughout the weekend. One of the best festivals in Thailand 2019, every Rocket Festival is accompanied by live folk music, beauty pageants, drinking of local rice wine, and a party full of fun and frolic.

Held In: June or July

One of the best festivals in Thailand 2019, Wing Kwai is the festival wherein buffalo racing is held. The tradition of buffalo racing has been followed since 100 years in Thailand. The race course is 100 meters long which is located in the front of Chonburi City Hall. Apart from buffalo racing, the festivals also hosts buffalo beauty competition, buffalo decorations and more. After attending to these, you can enjoy other fete games available in the festival.