It is thought that the Royal Barge Procession first took place in the 14th century during the Ayutthaya period of Thailand's history. Much of the original pomp and ceremony has remained in modern times with specially arranged music and verse to …
Festivals & Events
Thod Kathin Robes Offering Ceremony (Kathina)
Following the end of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa) new robes and offerings are made to the monkhood as part of the annual thod kathin or kathina ceremony. This ceremony often involves a procession of lay-people walking along a pre-arranged route to …
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Buffalo Racing Festival, Chonburi
Organised buffalo racing in Chonburi has been taking place for more than 100 years, but the informal races have a history going back even further than that. The buffalo races are steeped in local tradition and have traditionally taken place at the …
Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai
Yi Peng (also written as Yee Peng) is a festival unique to northern Thailand and closely linked with the ancient Lanna kingdom. Adapted from Brahmin origins, Yi Peng was originally celebrated as an individual event in its own right marking the end of …
Chiang Mai Flower Festival Photos
The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai celebrates the annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival at the beginning of February. I've been fortunate enough to experience the Chiang Mai Flower Festival numerous times over the years and it never fails to impress. …
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Throughout Thailand at the moment, many Thai people (especially those with Chinese heritage) are observing the Taoist lent period which lasts for 9 days and 9 nights. This is marked by Thailand's vegetarian festival and although the origins are …
National Children’s Day
In Thailand, the second Saturday in January is designated as Wan Dek (Children's Day). It's a day when children receive gifts from family members and are generally treated with even more affection than normal. Children's Day means that many tourist …
Do They Celebrate Christmas in Thailand?
Christmas isn't an official public holiday in Thailand with only a small minority of the Thai population being Christian. However, T.I.T. (This Is Thailand) and so at this time of year hotel staff can be seen wearing Christmas hats whilst shopping …
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Constitution Day in Thailand
December 10 is a public holiday in Thailand to commemorate Constitution Day. The significance of the date goes back to 1932 and a time of great upheaval in Siam (the former name for Thailand) which resulted in the end of the absolute monarchy. In …
Surin Elephant Round-Up
The Surin elephant round-up is an annual event which usually takes place over the third weekend in November. The elephant round-up has grown in popularity since it first began in the 1950s and nowadays thousands attend the event in Surin in …
Wan Khao Phansa
The day after Asahna Bucha is another important day in the Buddhist calendar. The day is called Wan Khao Phansa and marks the beginning of the three-month long period known as Phansa which is the Buddhist retreat period and is sometimes referred to …
Chiang Mai City Pillar Inthakin Festival
Many towns and cities in Thailand house what is known as the 'city pillar' which is made of wood or stone and is often located at the geographical heart of the city. Traditionally, these pillars were created when a new settlement was established. …
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