For the past decades, Thailand has now become one of the most visited tourist spots in Southeast Asia. Thailand is famous not only because of its nature’s alluring beauty but more for its inspiring history. Thailand Festivals are indeed an evidence for the same.

 

TRANG UNDERWATER WEDDING FESTIVAL

Since 1996, Trang Underwater Wedding ceremony is held in Thailand. It is usually held every Valentine’s Day (February 14). It gained much popularity with foreigners, especially to scuba-diving enthusiasts. In fact, it is now listed in the famous Guinness Book of World Record as the largest underwater wedding ceremony. The festival is sure to give the participants a unique and unforgettable wedding experience.

 

SONGKRAN

This festival is famous because of the water-throwing activities, which is participated in by locals and foreigners alike. Throwing of water is believed in Thailand as a sign of cleansing and re-birth. As a sign of respect, older people are not doused with water, but instead, their hands are poured with fragrant water by the younger generation. The Songkran is considered as the biggest celebration in Thailand. The celebration is timely for the hot weather in Thailand. The northern province of Chiang Mai is known to have the grandest celebration of this festivity.

 

WESTERN NEW YEAR

It is traditionally celebrated every first day of January together with the rest of the world. It is the first New Year celebration in a country which celebrates three new years every year.

 

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Long preparations are indeed made by people in Thailand. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar Festival in Thailand. It is also oftentimes called as Spring Festival since it signals the start of spring in the country. Colorful procession and dragon dance all over the Chinatown in Thailand highlight the festival.

 

THE ELEPHANT BANQUET

This is a festive for elephants. Elephants in Thailand are considered as their symbol of strength. Indeed, a white elephant was included in the flag of Thai Navy. It has been a tradition for Thais to acknowledge the help of elephants especially during battles. Thus, a day is made for them to enjoy tons of mixed fruits and vegetables as banquet.

 

THAI KITE FLYING FESTIVAL

When you go to Thailand during summer, you might as well visit and see the Kite Festival in the country. This colorful event was indeed a national heritage in the country. Competition was also arranged for this festival attracting more kite flyers to boast their unique designs. Not only is kite flying considered as a hobby in Thailand, it became a sport therein. Participation for this festival is not limited to Thais. Entry for the competition are in fact joined by some countries like Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, USA and many more.

 

PHANOM RUNG FAIR

Exhibits, Cultural performances as well as sale of Thai products are the main highlights of this fair. It is celebrated in the Phanom Rung, a temple with impressive stone carvings. A replica of the Buddha’s footprint was taken to be enshrined at Prang Noi. Thus, it became a tradition for Thais to honor the footprints by leaving a gold leaf on it. Sound and Light shows are usually excited in the fair.

 

ROCKET FESTIVAL

This festival is associated with the bountiful harvest of Thais. The highlights of this festive are rocket contests, colorful processions and parades, cheerleading competitions, folk music performances and open-air theater. Competition for the most beautiful and biggest rocket fills the celebration with a blast.

 

PHEE TA KHON

This festival is generally for people who believed that their presence in the celebration will bring merit for them to meet Buddha in their next life. This is also known as the Ghost Festival of Daan Sai. Attendants of this festive, usually wear colorful costumes with a mask with a long nose. Processions and parades are also held during this festival, making the celebration even more special.

 

BEGINNING OF BUDDHIST LENT

This festival is started by offering candles and bathing robes to the monks. The monks are required during lent to stay only in temple.

 

VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL

This festival is believed to help the Thais to obtain good health and peace of mind. Thais abstain from meat during this period, praying to the Nine Emperor Gods to purify their body and mind. Firewalking is just one of the highlights of this occasion. The nine Gods are honored by raising a lantern pole. This also signifies the beginning of the festival. Processions and colorful parades also take place in this festival.

 

THE MONKEY BANQUET

Thais reserved a huge festive for monkeys. It is believed that monkeys in Thailand give prosperity to the country. Be their guess for this amazing festive. Just like elephants, monkeys are fed with their favorite fruits and vegetables.

 

LOY KRATHONG

This is considered as the most colorful festival in Thailand. Thais pay honor to the mother of water through this festive. Loy means “to float” and krathong is a “leaf cup”. Thus, loy krathong is a festival known for its wonderful floating of lights in a leaf cup. The best part of this festival is the beauty of circular floating objects with a décor of banana leaves, flowers and candles and incense sticks.