Public Holidays and Festivals of Thailand
Loy Kratong - November
When it is full moon in November, one of Thailand's most beautiful festivals, Loi Krathong, is celebrated nationwide. Thousands of candle-lit floats, decorated with flowers, are cast into any available stretch of water to appease the water spirits and bring good fortune for the coming year. The festive air is enhanced by beauty paegents and other fun acticivities.
Chinese New Year - Feb/March
The Chinese population all over Thailand celebrate their lunar new year in late February/early march. (The date shifts from year to year). It is a week of house cleaning, lion dances and fireworks.
Songkran - 13, 14 &15 April
Mid April sees the celebration of the lunar new year in Thailand. Buddha images are bathed. Monks and elders receive the respect of younger Thais by the sprinkling of water over their hands. And a lot of water is tossed about for fun. Bangkok empties out and businesses shut down as people head home to the provinces. Expect to be soaked wherever you are!
Coronation day - 05 May
A publich holiday, commemorating the 1950 coronation of HM King Bhumibol Adulayedej.
Rocket festival - May/June
A rocket festival is held in May in the country's northeast during which villagers craft skyrockets of bamboo and gunpowder which they fire into the sky to send rain for the new rice season.
Buddhist 'lent'
Khao Pansa, a public holiday: this is the traditional time of year for young men to enter the monkhood and for monks to station themselves in their monastary for three months over the rainy season. It is a good time to observe a Buddhist ordination.