Holidays and Festivals in Thailand

Thai Calendar

In 1940, Thailand moved its New Year's Day from April 13th to January 1st. The old New Year is still a holiday called Songkran. Years are counted as the Buddhist era (B.E.) which started 543 years earlier than the Christian era; therefore 2002 A.D. is the year 2545 B.E.

New Year's Day, 1st January

In Thailand there are three New Year's days. The Western, on Jan 1st, the Chinese New Year on the first day of the First Lunar month, usually in February and the Thai New Year marked by the Songkhran festival in April. Thais usually exchange gifts on January 1st.

January - Legends of a Kingdom

Mekong Sunrise The First Sunrise of the Land - Ubon Ratchatani and Amnat Charoen (1st December 2003 - 31st February 2004)

San Kamphang: Land of arts and craftsmanship - San Kamphang, Chiang Mai (16th - 18th January 2004)

River of Kings - Bangkok (22nd January - 8th February)

Bangkok Film Festival - Bangkok (22nd January - 2nd February)

Read also: Top Tourists Scams to Avoid in Thailand

February - Flower Paradise

Flower Festival Chiang Mai city, Chiang Mai (6th - 8th February)

Carnival and Fireworks Pattaya City, Chonburi (13th - 15th February)

March - Summer Music and Sports

Thai Kite, Sports and Music Festival -Sanam Luang, Bangkok (1st March - 2nd April)

International Drums Festival - Sanam Luang, Bangkok (5th - 7th March)

ASEAN Zebra Dove Cooing Competition -Yala Town, Yala (5th - 7th March)

Pattaya Music Festival - Pattaya City, Chonburi (19th - 21st March)

Thai and International Kite Festival - Hua Hin, Prachuap Kiri Khan (13-14th March)

April - Songkran Spendours

Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Fair - Chiang Mai City (1st - 9th April)

Songkran Festival - All provinces (13th - 15th April)

May - Thai Fruit Festival

Royal Poughing Ceremony - Sanam Luang, Bangkok (7th May)

Trad Fruits and Products Festival - Trad City, Trad (May)

Rayong Fruits and Products Festival - Rayong City, Rayong (May - June)

Chantaburi Fruits and Products Festival - Chantaburi City, Chantaburi (May - June)

Rocket Festival - Yasathon City, Yasathon (14th - 16th May)

Visakha Bucha Festival - Beginning of Buddhist Lent - Bangkok and most provinces (14th - 16th May)

June - Green Adventure

Samui Festival - Samui Island, Surathani (June)

Krajiew Flower Festival - Chaiyapum (15th June - 31st July)

Hua Hin Jazz Festival - Hua Hin, Prachuap Kiri Khan (18th - 20th June)

Phi Ta Khon Festival - Dan Sai, Loei (19th - 21st June)

July - Timeless Thailand Elegance

International Pattaya Marathon - Pattaya City, Chonburi (18th July)

Flower Alms Offering Festival - Phra Phuttabat, Saraburi (31st July - 1st August)

Candle Festival - Ubon Ratchathani City, Ubon Ratchthani (31st July - 1st August)

August - Fun Fair

The Queen's Birthday - Mother's Day - Nationwide (12th August)

Mountain Bike Championship 2004 - Bhumipon Dam, Tak (28th - 29th August)

Songkhla Marathon - Singhanakhon, Songkhla (29th August)

September - Boat Races

King's Cup Elephant Polo - Somdej Phra Srisuriyothai Camp, Prachuap Kirikan (8th - 12th September)

King's Cup Ko Lae Boat Race - Narathiwat City, Narathiwat (21st - 25th September)

Yarowat Food Festival - Yarowat (China Town), Bangkok (25th September)

October - The Magnificent Mekong River

Vegetarian Festival - Phuket Island (13th - 22nd October)

Illuminated Boat Procession - Nakon Phanom City, Nakon Phanom (23rd - 27th October)

Rup Bua Festival - Bang Phli, Samut Prakan (26th - 28th October)

Buffalo Race - Chonburi City, Chonburi (27th October)

Naga Fireball Festival - Phon Pisai, Nong Khai (28th October)

November - Loy Krathong

Bua Tong Blossom Festival - Khun Yaum, Mae Hong Son (14th - 16th May)

Sunflower Festival - Lopburi and Saraburi (1st November - 14th February 2005)

Nan Long-tailed Boat Races - Nan City, Nan (6th - 7th November)

Surin Elephant Round up - Surin City, Surin (20th - 21st November)

Loy Krathong & Candle Festival - Sukhothai and Nationwide )22nd - 26th November)

Yi Peng Lantern Festival - Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai (25th - 27th November)

Ploenchit Fair - BEC-Tero Hall, Suan Lum Bazaar, Bangkok.

Fun for all the family with a taste of Great Britain. (20th November)

Bangkok Marathon (28th November)

December - Thailand Extravaganza & Royal Ceremonies

Of all the wonders of Thailand nothing can equal the love and respect of the people for their King

Trooping of the Colour - Their Majesties the King and Queen preside over this annual event which is held in the Royal Plaza, Bangkok. (2nd December)

H.M. King's Birthday - Father's Day - People demonstrate their respect for King with flags, displays and other tributes. Sanam Luang, Bangkok (5th December)

Constitution Day - This marks the day in 1932, when the monarchy became constitutional, the very beginning of democracy on Thailand.

Fishing Festival - Trat province (10th - 12th December)

Ayutthaya World Heritage Celebration - Phra Nakon, Si Ayutthaya (13th - 19th December)

Night Paradise and Countdown to 2005 - Bangkok, Had Yai, Song Khla and nationwide

At Globelink you can find multiple travel insurance options for UK/EU and non-EU residents.

Read also: 9 Thai Dishes You Won't Regret Trying