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fiogf49gjkf0d AMAZING THAI FESTIVALS AND EVENTS 2002
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JAN : 02 - TALENT NIGHT
18-20 - BO SANG UMBRELLA AND SAN KAMPHAENG
HANDICRAFTS FESTIVAL
21-25 - BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FASHION FAIRS
(BIFF), BANGKOK
27 - UNDER THE SUN TRANCE PARTY, BANGKOK
30-01FEB- VICTAM ASIA AND FEED INGREDIENTS AND
GRAIN PROCESSING ASIA 2002, BANGKOK
FEB : 01-02 - ANNUAL ELEPHANT KHANTOKE FAIR, LAMPANG
01-03 - PHUKET GAY FESTIVAL, PHUKET
01-03 - FLOWER FESTIVAL, CHIANG MAI
02-03 - KING RAMA II MEMORIAL FAIR
12-14 - BANGKOK CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
14-28 - THE 3RD CHAO PHRAYA RIVER FESTIVAL
AND MUSICAL FOUNTAIN
24-26 - COMMUNIC THAILAND 2002, BANGKOK
MAR : 02-03 - ASEAN ZEBRA DOVE COOING CONTEST AT YALA
07-11 - FOUR TRIBES OF SI SA KET ANNUAL CULTURAL
FESTIVAL, SI SA KET
16-17 - 5TH NAKHON PHANOM MEKONG TRIATHLON
20-23 - OIL AND GAS THAILAND 2002, PATTAYA
20-23 - INSTRUMENT THAILAND 2002, PATTAYA
23-24 - 17TH THAI AND INTERNATIONAL KITES FESTIVAL
APR : 01-09 - CHIANG MAI ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL
06-15 - SONGKHLA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL (THE OBJECTIVE
OF THE FESTIVAL IS TO PROMOTE THE GOOD
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF THAILAND)
13-15 - NONG KHAI MAHA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL, NONG KHAI
(IT IS ATTENDED BY THRONGS OF VISITORS & IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR BUDDHISTS TO BATHE LUANG PHO PHRA
SAI, A SACRED BUDDHA IMAGE FOR THAIS & LAOTIANS)
14-16 - SAMILA ASIAN TOUR BEACH VOLLEYBALL
17-19 - PATTAYA FESTIVAL AT CHON BURI (WELL-KNOWN AS A
SEASIDE RESORT, THIS EASTERN CITY ENJOYS THE
SUMMER, BY HOLDING AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF FOOD &
FLORAL FLOATS, BEAUTY PAGEANTS, STALLS SELLING
DELICIOUS CUISINE AND A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY OF
FIRE-WORKS ON THE BEACH.
MAY : 01-31 - RAYONG FRUIT FAIR (THESE ANNUAL FAIRS CELEBRATE
THE ABUNDANCE OF LOCAL FRUITS, COOKING CONTESTS
AND ARTS CRAFTS ALSO)
01-31 - LYCHEE FAIR, CHIANG RAI (CHIANG RAI IS KNOWN
FOR ITS HIGH QUALITY OF LYCHEES THAT GROW IN
THIS NORTHERN MOST PROVINCE OF THAILAND. EACH
YEAR, TO CELEBRATE THE HARVEST OF THE FRUIT, A
FAIR IS HELD FEATURING SALES AND EXHIBITIONS OF
LYCHEES, OTHER AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND LOCAL
HANDICRAFTS, AS WELL AS A MISS LYCHEE BEAUTY
COMPETITION AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCE)
10-12 - ROCKET FESTIVAL, YASOTHON (TRADITIONAL,
NORTHEASTERN VILLAGERS HAVE CREATED AND LAUNCHED
ROCKETS OF ALL KINDS AND SIZES AS A BELIEF THAT
THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE GODS WILL SEND PLENTY
OF RAIN FOR THE RICE PLANTING SEASON)
JUN : 01-31JUL- DOK KRACHIAO BLOSSOM TOURISM FESTIVAL
01-31JUL- THAILAND GRAND SALE
NO DATE - PHI TA KHON FESTIVAL (WITH ORIGINS FROM
A WELL KNOWN BUDDHIST TALE, THE COLOURFUL
AND VIBRANT PHI TA KHON PROCESSION FEATURES
YOUNG MEN WHO DRESS UP AS SPIRITS TO ACCOMPANY
A SCARED BUDDHA IMAGE AND TAUNT VILLAGERS.
MONKS RELATE THE TALE OF LORD BUDDHA'S LATE
GREAT INCARNATION BEFORE ATTAINING ENLIGHTENMENT.
INCLUDED ARE COMPETITIONS OF MASKED DANCES AND
PROCESSIONS. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE)
JUL : 21 - 2002 PATTAYA MARATHON AT CHON BURI
PATTAYA IS THE SCENIC VENUE OF AN ANNUAL MARATHON
ATTRACTING WORLD CLASS RUNNERS AND LOCALS.
24-25 - TAK BAT DOK MAI FESTIVAL, SARABURI
AUG : 25 - SONGKHLA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
30-01SEP- PHICHIT BOAT RACES, PHICHIT
SEP : 04-29 - THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DANCE
& MUSIC, BANGKOK
19-23 - UM PHRA DAM NAM FAIR, PHETCHABUN
THIS FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS THE PROCESSION
OF THE SACRED PHRA BUDDHA MAHA THAMMARACHA
IMAGE AROUND THE CITY.
21-25 - KO LAE BOAT RACES FOR HIS MAJESTY'S TROPHY
AND NARATHIWAT PRODUCTS FAIR
OCT : 04 - CHON BURI BUFFALO RACES, CHON BURI
IN THIS YEARLY EVENT, THE BUFFALO'S CAN BE
SEEN IN MORE UNUSUAL AND ENTERTAINING WAYS
THAN PLOUGHING FIELDS : NAMELY, BUFFALO RACES
AND CONTESTS PITTING BUFFALO AGAINST MAN.
ELEGANT BEAUTY PAGEANTS AND VARIOUS OTHER
FUN ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED.
05-14 - VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL, PHUKET
17-19 - PBON DRUMBEATING CONTEST & BUDDHA IMAGE
PROCESSION
17-21 - ILLUMINATED BOATS PROCESSION AT NAKHON PHANOM
HELD ANNUALLY, THIS DAZZLING EVENT ON THE
MIGHTY MEKONG RIVER MARKS THE END OF THE
OK PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT) BY THE LAUNCHING
OF ELABORATELY ADORNED BOATS, EACH CONTAINING
ASSORTED OFFERINGS, ADRIFT ON THE RIVER
WHEN NIGHT FALLS. FESTIVITIES ARE FURTHER
ENHANCED WITH A COLOURFUL STREET PROCESSION
AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES FOR EVERYONE
TO ENJOY.
18-21 - WAX CASTLE PROCESSION, SAKON NAKHON
18-22 - TAK BAT THEWO FESTIVAL, UTHAI THANI (ON THIS
DAY LORD BUDDHA RETURNED TO EARTH FROM A STAR
AFTER VISITING HIS MOTHER & PERFORMED MIRACLES)
19-20 - RAP BUA FESTIVAL, SAMUT PRAKAN
(ON THIS DAY BUDDHISTS COME HERE TO PICK THE
FLOWERS FOR OFFERINGS TO MONKS. THIS TRADITION
HAS BECOME THE "RAP BUA" (LOTUS RECEIVING) FESTIVAL)
19-27 - CHAK PHRA-THOT PHA PA FESTIVAL, SURAT THANI
(THE FESTIVAL IS HELD ON LAND AND ON WATER.
THE VEHICLE USED TO PULL BUDDHA IMAGES ARE
BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED BEFORE THE IMAGES ARE
TAKEN ON A PROCESSION AROUND THE TOWN)
20-26 - PHON LAK PHRA FESTIVAL
(TEMPLES WOULD DECORATE PEDESTALS AND BEAT
DRUMS TO LET VILLAGERS KNOW THAT THE TEMPLE
WILL BE TAKING A BUDDHA IMAGE ON A PROCESSION)
21 - POI LOEN SIP ET FAIR
22 - BUDDHA IMAGE PROCESSION AND BOAT RACE
FESTIVAL, AMPHOE LANG SUAN
28-11DEC- SUN BLOOMING SEASON, BANGKOK
NOV : 01-10 - THAILAND TOURISM FESTIVAL
01-11 - THAI FOOD FESTIVAL
02-03 - 15TH THAILAND INTERNATIONAL SWAN BOAT RACES
AND LONG BOAT RACE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THAILAND
08-10 - PHIMAI FESTIVAL
11-19 - SUKHOTHAI LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL
16-17 - SURIN ELEPHANT ROUNDUP
18-19 - YI PENG FESTIVAL, CHIANG MAI
18-20 - LOI KRATHONG SAI FESTIVAL AND A THOUSAND
FLOATING CANDLES FOR HIS MAJESTY'S TROPHY
19 - BANGKOK LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL
19 - LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL
23-05DEC- RIVER KWAI BRIDGE WEEK
24 - BANGKOK MARATHON
29-10DEC- SILK AND PHUK SIAO FESTIVAL, KHON KAEN
DEC : 05 - PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA
13-19 - AYUTTHAYA WORLD HERITAGE FAIR
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AMAZING THAI FESTIVALS AND EVENTS 2001
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AS THAILAND ENTERS THE 21ST CENTURY, THE EXOTIC WONDERS THAT
HAVE MADE OUR COUNTRY A POPULAR GLOBAL DESTINATION WILL CON-
TINUE TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE THAI TOURISM INDUSTRY. THE
ENORMOUS SUCCESS OF THE AMAZING THAILAND 1998-1999 CAMPAIGN
HAS ENCOURAGED US TO CONTINUE WITH THE "AMAZING" THEME TO
HIGHLIGHT WHAT OUR COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER TO THE WORLD.
BESIDES THE TROPICAL LUSH JUNGLES AND WHITE SANDY BEACHES,
THE SAVOURY TASTES OF DELECTABLE CUISINE AND VALUE-FOR-MONEY
SHOPPING BARGAINS, THAILAND ALSO HAS NUMEROUS ANNUAL FESTIVALS
AND MAJOR EVENTS WHICH HAVE ORIGINATED FROM ITS HISTORY,
TRADITIONS AND CULTURE. THESE EVENTS WILL GIVE TOURISTS-THAI
AND FOREIGN- MORE EXCITING CHOICES WHEN SELECTING A DESTINATION
FOR THEIR HOLIDAY.
THE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS HEREIN REPRESENT THE VAST ARRAY OF
UNIQUE SPECTACLES THAT MAKE THAILAND TRULY AMAZING, SO WE
INVITE YOU TO COME TO OUR COUNTRY TO ENJOY THE PLEASURES OF
THE TREASURES OF OUR KINGDOM.
JAN : 13-27 - "MUSIC IN THE QUEEN'S PARK" AT BENJASIRI PARK.
A SERIES OF CONCERTS, PERFORMED BY SCHOOL
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRAS.
19-21 - CULTURE OF TWO CITIES, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE
MAGNIFICENT CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PRESENTATION,
PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF A LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW,
TRACES THE ORIGINS OF THE "LION CITY"
19-11FEB- BANGKOK FRINGE FESTIVAL 2001
IT FEATURES A VARIETY OF TRADITIONAL &
MODERN DANCE PRESENTED BY THE PATRAVADI
THEATRE.
FEB : 06-08 - MAGHA PUJA IN NAKHON SI THAMMARAT.
THE BUDDHIST ALL SAINTS DAY, MAGHA PUJA
COMMEMORATES THE DAY ON WHICH THE LORD
BUDDHA PREACHED TO THE LARGEST EVER
CONGREGATION OF BUDDHIST MONKS.
09-11 - TRADITIONAL KITE-FLYING CONTEST OF SATUN
PROVINCE
09-18 - THAI FOOD FESTIVAL AT WORLD TRADE CENTRE
12-13 - TAT 40TH ANNIVERSARY BSO CONCERT SERIES
AT RATCHATHANI PROVINCE
THE ORCHESTRA WILL BE PERFORMING TRADITIONAL
& CONTEMPORARY THAI MUSIC, PRESENT IN A
WESTERN-STYLE ARRANGEMENT.
24-28 - 16TH BANG SAI ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR AT
AYUTTHAYA
MAR : 01-31 - DOK LAM DUAN BAN FESTIVAL AT SI SA KET.
THIS ANNUAL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS CULTURAL
PERFORMANCES BY DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS,
A LIGHT AND SOUND PRESENTATION DEPICTING
THE HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE, AS WELL AS
A CAPTIVATING BEAUTY PAGEANT AND LOCAL
PRODUCT SALES.
02-04 - PHAWET FAIR AT PRINCESS MOTHER PARK
THIS FAIR FEATURES KHAO PHAN KON PROCES-
SIONS HIGHLIGHTING THE 13 EPISODES DEPICTED
IN THE BUDDHIST TEXT MAHACHAT JATAKA, SPEC-
TACULAR LIGHT AND SOUND PRESENTATIONS OF THE
STORY OF SCRUMPTIOUS NOODLES AND LOCAL
DELICACIES.
03-04 - ASEAN BARRED GROUND DOVE FESTIVAL AT YALA.
THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHT IS A DOVE-COOING
COMPETITION INVOLVING MORE THAN 1,400 PARTICIPANTS
23-31 - DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING FAIR AT RATCHABURI.
THIS INCLUDE A THAI COOKING, A SEA-BOXING,
BOATING COMPETITION & LOCAL PRODUCT SALES.
23-03APR- THAO SURANARI FAIR AT NAKHON RATCHASIMA.
AN ANNUAL FAIR PAYING TRIBUTE TO LOCAL HEROINE
THAO SURANARI'S BRAVERY AGAINST INVADERS
BY CONDUCTING VARIOUS CELEBRATIONS THAT
INCLUDE FIREWORKS DISPLAYS, COLOURFUL
PARADES, CULTURAL DISPLAYS. EXHIBITIONS
AND GLAMOROUS BEAUTY PAGEANTS.
31-01APR- "PHANOM RUNG FAIR" AT HISTORICAL PARK
PHANOM RUNG, AN IMPRESSIVE KHMER TEMPLE
DATING FROM THE 12TH CENTURY, IS ADORNED
WITH ORNAMENTAL STONE CARVINGS. EACH
YEAR, A FAIR IS HELD FEATURING VARIOUS
EXHIBITS OF THE TEMPLE COMPLEX AS WELL AS
PERFORMANCES OF LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT.
31-08APR- THE 22ND INTERNATIONAL BANGKOK MOTOR SHOW
AT BITEC
APR : 04-17 - THAI HERITAGE CONSERVATION DAY AND
SHADOW PLAY (NANG TALUNG-NORA FESTIVAL)
AT CITY HALL, PATTALUNG
AN EVENT HELD IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE
FEATURES THE UNIQUE NANG TALUNG SHADOW
PLAY. SOUTHERN-STYLE NORA DANCE, LOCAL FOOD
AND PRODUCTS COMPETITIONS, SALES AND
DEMONSTRATIONS OF LOCAL ART AND CULTURE
06 - "POI SANG LONG" AT AMPHOE KHUN YUAM
ONE OF THAILAND'S MOST NATURALLY SCENIC
AREAS. A SPECTACULAR COLOURFUL PROCESSION
DISPLAYING THE OFFERINGS FOR MONKS IS
PARADED THROUGH THE TOWN.
08 - "DOK KHUN-SIANG KHAEN FESTIVAL" AT KHON KAEN
AS PART OF THE SONGKRAN (TRADITIONAL
YEAR) MERIT-MAKING CEREMONIES, THE LOCALS
PAY HOMAGE TO REVERED BUDDHA IMAGES AND
SHRINES, OFFER FOOD TO MONKS, AS WELL AS
PERFORM A VARIETY OF TRADITIONAL NORTH-
EASTERN FOLK ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER EXCI-
TING ACTIVITIES.
10-14 - SA LUNG LUANG FESTIVAL.
THIS FESTIVAL COMBINES RELIGION WITH ART
AND CULTURE IN WHICH A LARGE SILVER BOWL
OF WATER IS CARRIED TO BATHE PHRA KAEO
MORAKOT DON TAO AT THE PUBLIC PARK DURING
SONGKRAN DAY.
12-19 - "PATTAYA FESTIVAL 2001" AT CHON BURI.
WELL-KNOWN AS A SEASIDE RESORT, THIS
EASTERN CITY ENJOYS THE SUMMER, BY HOLDING
AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND FLORAL FLOATS,
BEAUTY PAGEANTS, STALLS SELLING DELICIOUS
CUISINE, AND A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY OF FIRE-
WORKS ON THE BEACH.
13-15 - MAI KHAM BHO PROCESSION FESTIVAL
THE BHO TREE HAS A CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH
THE BUDDHIST RELIGION. MAI KHAM BHO, LITER-
ALLY MEANS WOODEN SUPPORTS FOR TREES IN TEMPLE
COURTYARDS, ARE USED BY DEVOTEES WHO BELIEVE
THAT THE SUPPORTS WILL BRING THEM LONGEVITY
AND PROSPERITY.
MAY : 05-13 - RAYONG, CHANTHABURI, TRAT FRUIT FAIR 2001
FAIR HELD IN WHICH LOCALS SELL TROPICAL FRUITS
SUCH AS RAMBUTAN, DURIAN MANGOSTEEN AND ZALACA
GROWN IN THE SURROUNDING ORCHARDS TOGETHER WITH
OTHER LOCAL PRODUCTS OF THE EASTERN PROVINCES
OF RAYONG, CHANTHABURI AND TRAT. SPECTACULAR
COLOURFUL FLOATS DECORATED WITH FRUIT AND
FLOWERS ARE PARADED THROUGH THE STREETS OF THESE
PROVINCIAL CAPITALS. BEAUTY PAGEANTS, FRUIT
CONTESTS, LOCAL HANDICRAFT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE
DISPLAYS, AS WELL AS CULTURAL PERFORMANCES AND
FOLK ENTERTAINMENT CAN BE ENJOYED BY ALL.
07 - "VISAKHA PUJA" NATIONWIDE
THIS IS THE HOLIEST OF ALL THE AUSPICIOUS
BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS DAYS, MARKING THE BIRTH,
ENLIGHTENMENT, AND DEATH OF LORD BUDDHA. SHORTLY
AFTER SUNSET, CANDLELIT CIRCUMAMBULATIONS TAKE
PLACE AROUND MAJOR TEMPLES.
11 - "YASOTHON BUN BANGFAI ROCKET FESTIVAL" AT
PHAYA THAEN PARK, YASOTHON.
TRADITIONAL, NORTHEASTERN VILLAGERS HAVE
CREATED AND LAUNCHED ROCKETS OF ALL KINDS
AND SIZES AS A BELIEF THAT THIS WILL ENSURE
THAT THE GODS WILL SEND PLENTY OF RAIN FOR
THE RICE PLANTING SEASON.
16 - "ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY" AT BANGKOK
AN ANCIENT BRAHMAN RITUAL, CONDUCTED AT
SANAM LUANG, IN WHICH FARMERS BELIEVE IS ABLE
TO FORECAST THE ABUNDANCE OF THE NEXT RICE
CROP. THE EVENT IS A RESULT OF A SERIES OF
CEREMONIES THAT ARE CONDUCTED BY PHRAYA RAEK NA,
PORTRAYED BY A HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL FROM THE
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES WHO
WEARS COLOURFUL TRADITIONAL COSTUMES.
22-24 - LYCHEE FAIR
CHIANG RAI IS KNOWN FOR ITS HIGH QUALITY
OF LYCHEES THAT GROW IN THIS NORTHERN MOST
PROVINCE OF THAILAND. EACH YEAR, TO CELE-
BRATE THE HARVEST OF THE FRUIT, A FAIR IS
HELD FEATURING SALES AND EXHIBITIONS OF
LYCHEES, OTHER AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND
LOCAL HANDICRAFTS, AS WELL AS A MISS LYCHEE
BEAUTY COMPETITION AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCE.
JUN : 23-24 - PHI TA KHON FESTIVAL
WITH ORIGINS FROM A WELL-KNOWN BUDDHIST
TALE, THE COLOURFUL AND VIBRANT PHI TA
KHON PROCESSION FEATURES YOUNG MEN WHO
DRESS UP AS SPIRITS TO ACCOMPANY A SCARED
BUDDHA IMAGE AND TAUNT VILLAGERS. MONKS
RELATE THE TALE OF LORD BUDDHA'S LATE
GREAT INCARNATION BEFORE ATTAINING ENLIGH-
TENMENT. INCLUDED ARE COMPETITIONS OF
MASKED DANCES AND PROCESSIONS. EVERYONE
IS WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE.
26 - SUNTHON PHU DAY
RECOGNISED BY UNESCO, THE CELEBRATED
RATANAKOSIN POET, SUNTHON PHU IS REMEN-
BERED FOR HIS CLASSICAL LITERARY WORKS
BY ALL THAI PEOPLE.
JUL : 04-08 - "CANDLE FESTIVAL" AT UBON RATCHATHANI
A UNIQUE FESTIVAL THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE
TALENTED SKILLS OF LOCAL ARTISANS,
FOLK TRADITIONS AND VARIOUS ACTS OF
RELIGIOUS DEVOTION.
05-06 - "KHAO PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT)" NATIONWIDE.
THIS DAY MARKS THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE
BUDDHIST LENT OR PHANSA DURING WHICH MONKS
MUST RESIDE INSIDE THEIR TEMPLES TO STUDY
AND MEDITATE. THIS IS ALSO THE MOST AUSPI-
CIOUS TIME FOR BUDDHIST ORDINATIONS SINCE
IT MARKS A PERIOD OF RENEWED SPIRITUAL VIGOUR.
15 - PATTAYA MARATHON 2001
PATTAYA IS THE SCENIC VENUE OF AN ANNUAL
MARATHON. ATTRACTING WORLD-CLASS RUNNERS
AND LOCALS
AUG : 12 - H.M. THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
TO DISPLAY THEIR LOYALTY AND TO HONOUR HER
MAJESTY QUEEN SIRIKIT ON THE OCCASION OF HER
ROYAL BIRTHDAY, THE THAI PEOPLE DECORATE
THEIR HOUSES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
SEP : 01-02 - "PHICHIT BOAT RACES" AT NAN RIVER, PHICHIT
16-20 - "UM PHRA DAM NAM"FESTIVAL AT PETCHABUN.
THIS FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS THE PROCESSION
OF THE SACRED PHRA BUDDHA MAHA THAMMARACHA
IMAGE AROUND THE CITY.
21-25 - "KORLAE BOAT RACING AND NARATHIWAT PRODUCE
FESTIVAL" AT NARATHIWAT.
CENTRED ON THE BANG NARA RIVER, THIS EXCI-
TING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS BOAT RACING AND DOVE
COOING CONTESTS, AS WELL AS THE SALE OF
LOCAL PRODUCE AND OTHER LOCAL HANDICRAFTS
OF THIS SOUTHERN PROVINCE.
22-01OCT- WAX CASTLE AND BOAT RACING FESTIVAL
TO CELEBRATE THE END OF BUDDHIST LENT (OK
PHANSA), PEOPLE IN THE NORTHEAST (I-SAN)
MOULD BEESWAX INTO MINIATURE BUDDHIST TEMP-
LES AND SHRINES (WAX CASTLES) IN ORDER TO
GAIN MERIT, WHICH WILL DETERMINE THEIR
FUTURE REBIRTH. THESE CRAFTED MODELS CAN BE
WITNESSED ESPECIALLY IN SAKON NAKHON WHERE
THERE IS AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL WITH A GRAND WAX
CASTLE PROCESSION, COMPETITIVE BOAT RACING
AS WELL AS TRADITIONAL NORTHEASTERN
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES AMONG MANY OTHER
JOYOUS ACTIVITIES.
OCT : 01 - "CHON BURI BUFFALO RACES" AT CHON BURI.
IN THIS YEARLY EVENT, THE BUFFALO'S CAN BE
SEEN IN MORE UNUSUAL AND ENTERTAINING WAYS
THAN PLOUGHING FIELDS : NAMELY, BUFFALO RACES
AND CONTESTS PITTING BUFFALO AGAINST MAN.
ELEGANT BEAUTY PAGEANTS AND VARIOUS OTHER
FUN ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED.
01-04 - CHAK PHRA & THOT PHAPA FESTIVAL
TAPI RIVER BANK, SURAT THANI
CHAK PHRA AND THOT PHAPA ARE TWO RELIGIOUS
MERIT-MAKING CEREMONIES THAT OCCUR ON THE
SAME DAY AT THE END OF BUDDHIST LENT.
OCCURRING AT SUNRISE, THOT PHAPA IS WHERE
BUDDHA IMAGES ON ELABORATELY DECORATES
CARRIAGES ARE PULLED BY THE LOCALS IN LAND
AND WATER-BORNE PROCESSIONS. CHAK PHRA
TAKES PLACE AFTER THIS WHEREBY SAFFRON
ROBES ARE OFFERED TO MONKS AND MONEY IS
DONATED TO TEMPLES. THESE EVENTS ARE
FURTHER HIGHLIGHTED WITH CULTURAL PERFOR-
MANCES AND MUSIC.
01-31DEC- "THAI BEER" FESTIVAL AT CITYWIDE, BANGKOK
THAI BEER FESTIVAL WHICH HIGHLIGHTS SALES OF
BARBECUED FOOD, EXOTIC THAI CUISINE AND OF
COURSE BEER. TO ADD TO THIS ATMOSPHERE
OF MERRIMENT, THERE ARE MUSIC AND CULTURAL
PERFORMANCES FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. TOURISTS CAN
SEE THIS EVENT, ESPECIALLY AT THE WORLD
TRADE CENTRE AND OTHER LOCATIONS AROUND
THE CITY.
14-15 - LANNA BOAT RACES
THESE IMPRESSIVE LONG-BOAT RACES HELD ON
THE NAN RIVER ARE DISTINCTIVELY ENHANCED BY
THE BRIGHTLY FANCY COLOURED NAN BOATS. THIS
EVENT ALSO ACCOMPANIES THE ANNUAL KATHIN
SEASON, WHEN DEVOTEES WISHING TO GAIN MERIT
PRESENT NEW ROBS TO MONKS OF LOCAL TEMPLES.
17-21 - PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
THIS ANNUAL EVENT IS HELD DURING THE 9TH
CHINESE CALENDAR MONTH IN WHICH THE LOCALS
OF CHINESE ANCESTRY UNDERTAKE A TEN-DAY
VEGETARIAN DIET. VARIOUS RITUALS ARE PERFORMED
AT CHINESE TEMPLES AND THERE ARE PROCESSIONS
OF ASCETIC DEVOTEES PERFORMING REMARKABLE FEATS
SUCH AS FIRE-WALKING AND CLIMBING LADDERS WITH
KNIFE-EDGED RUNGS.
17-26 - TRANG VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
ORIGINATING IN THE 19TH CENTURY, THIS
ANNUAL EVENT IS CONDUCTED BY THE LOCALS
OF CHINESE DESCENT WHO ENGAGE IN A TEN-
DAY VEGETARIAN DIET. THERE ARE MERIT-
MAKING CEREMONIES AT LOCAL CHINESE TEM-
PLES AS WELL AS PROCESSIONS OF ASCETICS
PERFORMING EXTRAORDINARY FEATS.
19-21 - PHON DRUM-BEATING CONTEST AND BUDDHA
IMAGE PROCESSION.
EACH YEAR, CELEBRATIONS ARE HELD IN THIS
SOUTHERN CITY AND ITS ENVIRONS. THESE IN-
CLUDE EXHILARATING DRUM BEATING AND ELA-
BORATELY DECORATIVE BOAT COMPETITIONS, AS
WELL AS A MERITORIOUS RITUAL KNOWN AS
TAK BAT DEVO.
22-24 - "5000-YEAR BAN CHIANG CIVILISATION
CELEBRATIONS" AT UDON THANI
CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE OLDEST ARCHAEO-
LOGICAL SITES IN THAILAND AND ALSO A
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, ALSO FAMOUS FOR PRO-
CESSIONS AND PERFORMANCES, LOCAL HANDICRAFT
DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAYS, INTERNATIONAL
AND LOCAL SPORTS EVENTS, AND DAZZLING LIGHT
AND SOUND PRESENTATIONS.
28-02NOV- ILLUMINATED BOAT PROCESSION AT NAKHON PHANOM
HELD ANNUALLY, THIS DAZZLING EVENT ON THE
MIGHTY MEKONG RIVER MARKS THE END OF THE
OK PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT) BY THE LAUNCHING
OF ELABORATELY ADORNED BOATS, EACH CONTAIN-
ING ASSORTED OFFERINGS, ADRIFT ON THE RIVER
WHEN NIGHT FALLS. FESTIVITIES ARE FURTHER
ENHANCED WITH A COLOURFUL STREET PROCESSION
AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES FOR EVERYONE
TO ENJOY.
31-01NOV- BANG SAI LOI KRATHONG (FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS)
THIS EVENT HELD DURING THE FULL-MOON IN
NOVEMBER FEATURES THE LAUNCHING OF TRADI-
TIONAL FLOATS (KRATHONGS), DEMONSTRATIONS
AND EXHIBITIONS OF LOCAL HANDICRAFTS, AS
WELL AS AN ARRAY OF OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES.
31-01NOV- NORTHERN LANTERN FESTIVAL AND YIPENG LOI
KRATHONG.
CREATING A MESMERIZING SIGHT, AN UNUSUAL
RITUAL OF THIS NORTHERN CAPITAL'S LOI KRA-
THONG FESTIVAL IS THE LAUNCHING OF LANNA-
STYLE HOT AIR BALLOONS, WHICH IS CONSIDERED
BY LOCALS TO RID THEM OF THEIR TROUBLES.
TRADITIONAL FLOATS (KRATHONGS) ARE ALSO SET
ADRIFT ON THE PING RIVER.
NOV : 01 - LOI KRATHONG AND CANDLE FESTIVAL
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE LOI KRATHONG FES-
TIVAL ORIGINATED IN SUKHOTHAI, THE FIRST
THAI CAPITAL. IT IS THEREFORE APPROPRIATE
THAT THIS CAPTIVATING EVENT IS HELD ON THE
FULL-MOON NIGHT OF THE 12TH LUNAR MONTH AMID
THE BREATHTAKING RUINS OF THIS GLORIOUS
ANCIENT CITY.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE KRATHONG FLOATING, A
FIREWORKS DISPLAY, CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
AND AN AMAZING LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW.
03-04 - BURI RAM TRADITIONAL BOAT RACES
THESE IMPRESSIVE YEARLY BOAT RACES ON THE
MUN RIVER IN BURI RAM ALSO INCLUDE COLOUR-
FUL PARADES AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES FEA-
TURING ELEPHANTS. A VISIT TO THIS EVENT
WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A TOUR TO
THE NEARLY PHANOM RUNG HISTORICAL PARK.
05-05DEC- SUNFLOWER BLOOMING SEASON
THE HILLS AND VALLEYS OF MAE HONG SON,
ONE OF THAILAND'S MOST NATURALLY SCENIC
AREAS, ARE FULL OF GOLD WHEN THE SUN-
FLOWER (TITHONIA DIVERSIFOLIA) BURSTS INTO
BLOOM DURING THIS PERIOD. WHEN THE FLOWERS
FADE, THE SEEDS ARE COLLECTED TO MAKE
INSECTICIDES. DOI MAE U-KOR, AMPHOE KHUN
YUAM IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE SITE WHERE
THE BLOOMING SUNFLOWERS ARE AT THEIR MOST
PHOTOGENIC.
10-11 - TAK LOI KRATHONG SAI
LOI KRATHONG, THE ELEGANTLY BEAUTIFUL
ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, IS HELD ON THE
FULL MOON IN NOVEMBER. IN TAK, THIS EVENT
IS CELEBRATED IN A RATHER UNIQUE MANNER
WHEREBY LOCAL PEOPLE THREAD TOGETHER THEIR
KRATHONGS WHICH ARE LAUNCHED SIMULTANEOUSLY
AND APPEAR AS LIGHTED NECKLACES ON THE
PING RIVER.
10-11 - PHIMAI LONG-BOAT RACES
AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL HELD FOR MORE THAN
CENTURY, THE TRADITIONAL LONG-BOAT RACES
DRAWS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS FROM ALL OVER.
THIS EVENT IS FURTHER ENHANCED BY A LIGHT
AND SOUND PRESENTATION AT PRASAT HIN PHIMAI,
LOCAL ART AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, VARIOUS
FUN-FILLED COMPETITIONS AND LOCAL PRODUCTS
SALES AND EXHIBITIONS.
17 - SURIN ELEPHANT ROUND-UP SHOW
INTRODUCED IN 1960, THIS INTERNATIONALLY
FAMOUS YEARLY EVENT ATTRACTS PEOPLE FROM
ALL OVER THE WORLD TO SURIN TO SEE MORE
THAN ONE HUNDRED ELEPHANTS PARTICIPATE IN
SPECTACULAR SHOWS THAT INCLUDE COLOURFUL
PROCESSIONS, A TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN ELEPHANTS
AND MEN, DEMONSTRATIONS OF LOG-PULLING
SKILLS, AND VARIOUS OTHER EXTRAORDINARY
FEATS SET IN A CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE.
28-DEC04- "CHIANG MAI FOOD" FESTIVAL AT CHIANG MAI
INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED, THE UNIQUE
TASTES OF THAI FOOD ARE FURTHER ENHANCED
IN THIS ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN CHIANG MAI THAT
FOCUSES ON NORTHERN FARE. FRUIT AND VEGE-
TABLE CARVING, ANCIENT THAI DESSERT MAK-
ING DEMONSTRATIONS AND ENCHANTING LANNA
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES ARE SOME OF THE
ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE ENJOYED.
28-07DEC- "RIVER KWAE BRIDGE WEEK FAIR 2001
EACH YEAR IN LATE NOVEMBER TO EARLY
DECEMBER, THE WORLD FAMOUS RIVER KWAE BRIDGE,
WHICH WAS BUILT BY ALLIED PRISONERS-OF-WAR
DURING WORLD WAR II, BECOMES THE FOCAL POINT
OF CELEBRATIONS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE HISTORI-
CAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXHIBITIONS, A CARNI-
VAL, FOLK AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, RIDES
ON WORLD WAR II VINTAGE TRAINS, AND A SPEC-
TACULAR LIGHT AND SOUND PRESENTATION RE-
ENACTING THE BRIDGE'S WORLD WAR II HISTORY.
29-10DEC- "SILK FAIR" AT KHON KAEN
INTERNATIONALLY, THAILAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN
FAMOUS FOR ITS LUSTROUS SILK. ONE OF THE
MAJOR CENTRES OF SILK PRODUCTION, KHON
KAEN IS THE VENUE OF A FAIR TO PROMOTE SILK
WEAVING AND SILK WORM CULTURE. THIS EVENT
IS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WIATH THE PHUK SIAO
(FRIENDSHIP-MAKING RITUAL). COLOURFUL STREET
PROCESSIONS AND TYPICAL NORTHEASTERN CULTURAL
SHOWS AS WELL AS EXHIBITIONS OF THE SILK
INDUSTRY ADD TO THE MERRY ATMOSPHERE OF THIS
FAIR.
DEC : 05 - H.M. THE KING'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
H.M. KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, THE WORLD'S
LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH, IS WELL BELOVED
AND DEEPLY RESPECTED BY ALL THAIS OLD AND
YOUNG. THE OCCASION OF HIS ROYAL BIRTHDAY
PROVIDES HIS LOYAL SUBJECTS THE OPPORTUNITY
TO EXPRESS THEIR REVERECE FOR HIM. ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY, BUILDINGS AND HOMES ARE ELABO-
RATELY DECORATED AND THE AREA AROUND THE
GRAND PALACE IS SPECTACULARLY ILLUMINATED
05-11 - "THE 14TH PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA" AT
NAI HAN BEACH, PHUKET
13-19 - AYUTTHAYA WORLD HERITAGE SITE CELEBRATIONS
DESIGNATED A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
IN 1991, AYUTTHAYA, AN ANCIENT SIAMESE
CAPITAL, CELEBRATES ITS GLORIOUS PAST WITH
DISPLAYS OF TRADITIONAL CULTURE AND LIFE-
STYLES, NUMEROUS FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT,
AS WELL AS SPECTACULAR LIGHT AND SOUND
PRESENTATIONS AMID THE RUINS OF THIS
ANCIENT CITY.
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