Thai Festivals & Traditions
Children's Day
Children's Day, Wan Dek, is celebrated on the second Saturday in January. Children are given presents. Families often celebrate by going to tourist attractions.
Children's Day, Wan Dek, is celebrated on the second Saturday in January. Children are given presents. Families often celebrate by going to tourist attractions.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
An amazing flower festival is held in Chiang Mai on the first weekend in February.
An amazing flower festival is held in Chiang Mai on the first weekend in February.
There is also another strange event. In a town called Trang an underwater wedding ceremony is held!
National Thai Elephant Day
National Thai Elephant Day is celebrated in zoos and elephant parks throughout the country. In some places a huge banquet is prepared for the elephants. In some temples ceremonies are held to bring good luck to the elephant and its mahout.
National Thai Elephant Day is celebrated in zoos and elephant parks throughout the country. In some places a huge banquet is prepared for the elephants. In some temples ceremonies are held to bring good luck to the elephant and its mahout.
Chiang Mai Inthakhin Festival
Many towns and cities in Thailand have a building that is known as the ‘city pillar’. It is made of wood or stone and is usually placed at the centre of the city. During the festival in Chiang Mai people leave offerings of flowers, candles and incense at the city pillar. During the festival people enjoy performances by dancers and musicians.
Many towns and cities in Thailand have a building that is known as the ‘city pillar’. It is made of wood or stone and is usually placed at the centre of the city. During the festival in Chiang Mai people leave offerings of flowers, candles and incense at the city pillar. During the festival people enjoy performances by dancers and musicians.
Wan Khao Phansa
Wan Khao Phansa is the first day of Phansa. This time is a time of retreat for the Buddhist monks.
Wan Khao Phansa is the first day of Phansa. This time is a time of retreat for the Buddhist monks.
Por Tor Festival
This festival is held in Phuket in August or September each year. It is called The Hungry Ghost Festival. Candles and flowers are left as offerings to the ancestors of the people of Chinese descent. Ghosts that don't have relatives are also given offerings. It is thought that they have been released from hell for the month.
This festival is held in Phuket in August or September each year. It is called The Hungry Ghost Festival. Candles and flowers are left as offerings to the ancestors of the people of Chinese descent. Ghosts that don't have relatives are also given offerings. It is thought that they have been released from hell for the month.
Buffalo Racing Festival
Another very unusual festival takes place in Chonburi in October. Men riding buffaloes hold races to see who is the fastest!
Another very unusual festival takes place in Chonburi in October. Men riding buffaloes hold races to see who is the fastest!
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
This festival usually takes place in September or October each year. It was originally based on the Taoist lent which lasted for 9 days and 9 nights. People abstained from eating seafood, meat and dairy products. The festival takes place in October or November.
This festival usually takes place in September or October each year. It was originally based on the Taoist lent which lasted for 9 days and 9 nights. People abstained from eating seafood, meat and dairy products. The festival takes place in October or November.
There are also very strange and sometimes gruesome rites held at the temples. Some of these rites include people fire-walking over hot coals.
The basket is then put into the river. It is believed that the basket carries away bad luck.
Yi Peng
In Chiang Mai Yi Peng is celebrated in November, at the same time as Loy Krathong. Fire lanterns are released into the sky. It is believed that lanterns carry away bad luck.
In Chiang Mai Yi Peng is celebrated in November, at the same time as Loy Krathong. Fire lanterns are released into the sky. It is believed that lanterns carry away bad luck.
Silk
In just under a month they are ready to hibernate. They wrap themselves in a cocoon made of raw silk. This cocoon is made up of one continuous silk thread. It dries and hardens in the air. Cocoons are boiled to make it easier to unravel the silk.
Watch the video below to see the lady spinning silk thread:
Source: The Jim Thompson House
Paper Parasols
These parasols are made from sa paper and bamboo. The sa paper is made from the bark of the sa tree. The frame for the parasol is made from bamboo.
Dancing
There are different styles of dancing in different areas in Thailand. This is a young dancer performing.
Music
Ethnic Groups
Carrying Poles
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is type of combat sport. It is also called Thai boxing but unlike boxing the combatant can use elbows, knees, shins as well as fists.
Muay Thai is type of combat sport. It is also called Thai boxing but unlike boxing the combatant can use elbows, knees, shins as well as fists.