Joanna James
Thailand is an amazing country that is deeply endowed with a rich culture and lush heritage which you can catch a glimpse of at one of the many festivals the country holds annually. 2021 will be no different for once the lockdown is lifted and travel bans have been removed you have all of these to look forward to when you visit.
The Ghost Festival, known locally as Phi Ta Khon is celebrated on the weekend of the 6th full moon in the lunar calendar. It is located in Dan Sai town and as the name suggests, celebrates religious traditions with local handicrafts that create demons and gods, masks are worn by dancers at the festival along with gaudy colourful costumes. The practice is part of Buddhism where Friday and Saturday are kept for the parades and Sunday focuses on temple prayers.
You don't have to drive up anywhere as the Songkran Water Festival is held all over the country from the 13th to the 15th of April every year. You will find it is a fixture even at Ao Nang hotels with people getting involved in what could only be described as a three-day water fight. Locals will drink the water, play loud music, dance and come away drenched from head to toe. Buckets, hose pipes, water guns all become popular commodities during this time. It is a fun experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Lunar New Year is celebrated across most South East and East Asian countries, each in their unique way. In Thailand, the celebrations are as exhilarating as can be. It is mostly celebrated in Bangkok's Chinatown. Despite the parades being held here, your hotels in the resort towns such as Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort will also have their celebrations. Especially the delicious Chinese banquets that follow.
The Lopburi Monkey Banquet is held in November every year and is at the fundamental level, a food festival. However, there is a small catch. It is a banquet that is laid out for the 3,000 plus monkeys that reside in and among the temple ruins of Lopburi which is located about 150 km north of Bangkok. The monkeys are given this fabulous feast of vegetables and fruit as well as an assortment of other treats. It is a complete monkey Christmas!
Held on the full moon of the 12th Lunar month, which falls around some time in November every year, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival happens on the banks of the Peng river in Chiang Mai. It is not a festival as much as it is tradition now, where people release thousands of paper lanterns into the night sky and use it as a beautiful photo opportunity.
The Rocket Festival is also known as Boon Bang Fai. It is celebrated by the farming communities of Issan as a day to kick back and celebrate before the start of the next planting season.
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