Joanna James
Among the stunning beaches, fantastic tourist destinations and exciting adventures that Thailand is renowned for, another thing that's just as incredible is the slew of festivals that take place throughout the year in the Southeast Asian nation. Come, join the locals and enjoy the local celebrations.
Come 13 April every year, the Southeast Asian nation gets lively with exuberant celebrations galore. The five-day national holiday marks the country's traditional new year, which is celebrated in accordance with the solar calendar. Boisterous water fights are the highlight of the festival, where cities across the nation are lively with heaps of people equipped with water guns and buckets, showering each other with gallons of water — a tradition that dates back to the inception of the traditional festival. In the spirit of the animated celebration, it wouldn't be Songkran if you weren't soaking wet by the end of the day.
The Yi Peng lantern festival, which takes place every November in Chiang Mai in mountainous northern Thailand, is arguably the most picturesque festival in the Southeast Asian nation. People in droves flock to the banks of the Peng River every year on the night of the festival, where more than a thousand brightly lit lanterns soar into the sky — a sight that is sure to blow your mind away. While the release of lanterns is the highlight, various parades, religious ceremonies, and fireworks shows also form part of the celebration.
The Chinese community forms a significant segment of Thailand's population, hence the Chinese New Year is one of the key festivals in the country. Yaowarat, the main artery of Bangkok's Chinatown, is delightfully atmospheric as it is all year round; come the Chinese New Year, the quarter takes an even more charming scene. Hundreds of colourfully dressed dragon dancers, along with various other dressed-up performers, take over the streets, and heaps of festival-high people gather to see the striking spectacle — bliss and idyll are brimming all over the place.
If one were to rank Thai festivals based on a bizarre score, Wing Kwai — to put it in more understandable terms for the folks outside Thailand, Thai buffalo racing — would undoubtedly be high on the list. The outlandish festival dates back well over 100 years and attracts both locals and tourists alike to Chonburi City Hall in October every year, where the race takes place.
The 3-day festival of Phi Ta Khon, or the ghost festival, is a lovely blend of religious traditions, local handicrafts, and fun-loving celebratory vibes. Hundreds of mask-worn performers parade the streets in colourful costumes, putting together a vibrant spectacle. Get your fill of the ghastly, bright, and gaudy coloured masks galore and retreat to a fine Koh Phangan resort the likes of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
