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There are a wide variety of festivals in Thailand,
all of them vibrant and colourful. Although
the majority of festivals take place from November
to February when the weather is cooler, practically
every month is marked by some sort of celebration
or public holiday.
Most festivals are full of traditional cultural
practices, and although many celebrations seem
light-hearted, most are also marked with a visit
to the local temple to give gifts, say prayers
and make wishes (known as making merit).
Although usually revolving around traditional
Thai and religious practices, most Thai people
are happy for westerners to join in the festivities
and welcome the opportunity to show off their
culture and as a way to make new friends.
Here is a list of the main festivals. Most
festivals revolve around the phases of the moon,
so these are only rough dates.
King's Birthday
December 5th provides people with the perfect
opportunity to demonstrate their love and devotion
to His Majesty the King. The best place to experience
this festival is Bangkok, which is lavishly
decorated, especially along Thanon Ratchadamnoen
Klang, near the Grand Palace.
That Phanom Festival
This festival is celebrated in January and involves
10-day homage to the northeast's most sacred
Buddhist stupa (Phra That Phanom) in Nakhon
Phanom Province. The festival is attended by
pilgrims from all over Thailand and Laos.
Bangkok International Film Festival
Also in January, this is a great way to enjoy
some award winning films and get an introduction
into Asian cinema. (www.bangkokfilm.org).
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
A must see if you are in Chiang Mai in January.
The city explodes in colour as the streets are
filled with floats and parades exhibit Chiang
Mai's diverse plant life.
Chinese New Year
Not to be missed, this vibrant festival usually
takes place around the end of January and is
known as trut jiin in Thai. Celebrated all over
Thailand with a week of house-cleaning, lion
dances and fireworks, a good place to witness
the festivities is Bangkok's China Town.
Magha Puja
Held around the full moon of the third lunar
month, this festival commemorates Lord Buddha's
preaching to 1250 enlightened monks who came
to hear him 'without prior summons'. Naturally,
alcohol is banned during this festival, which
features a candle-lit walk around the (main
chapel) at every wat.
Songkran
Also not to be missed, this celebration of
the Thai New Year takes place between April
13 - 15. Perhaps the liveliest festival of the
year, people celebrate by visiting the temple,
exchanging gifts and throwing water at each
other.
Khao Phansa
In mid-late July, this festival marks the start
of Buddhist 'Lent'. This is the time of year
when many young men enter the monkhood, where
they will stay for three months during the monsoon
season. The festival is celebrated in most towns
and especially schools by parades of huge carved
candles on floats in the streets, culminating
in a visit to the temple, where offerings are
made to the monks.
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