Wan Lai
Festival
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month of April
comes. People of old were wise enough to initiate the
Songkran festival to cool themselves off from the heat and
celebrate it as the Thai New Year. In the central region,
the festival is usually held on the 13th, l4th and 15th of
April while in the East there is a difference as the water
throwing activities commence on the l6th or 17th, 18th or
19th known as "Wan Lai" (Flowing Day).
Pattaya City holds its Wan Lai festival annually on April
19th with activities such as water pouring for the elders,
processions and the fun of dowsing and another with water, a
time for Thais and foreigners alike.
Pattaya Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism and
Pattaya's reputation. Floral floats are paraded along the
streets.
The Miss Pattaya Beauty contest is held as well as
traditional aquatic sports competitions and construction of
sand castles. A spectacular fireworks display takes place on
the beach and fire crackers are also set off.
Simultaneously, there are arts and cultural performances,
exhibitions and souvenirs for sale.
Chonburi Buffalo Races
Chonburi Buffalo Race is annually held in Chon Buri during
October. Chonburi Buffalo Race takes place on a day before
the full moon of the 11 th lunar month (October or
November), concurrently with the end of the 3 month Buddhist
Lent.
Water buffalo is the animal, which has had long relationship
with Thai farmers' lives. In this exciting event, buffalos
decorated with colorful cloth bands, flower garlands and
other ornaments, can become whatever the winner or the loser
in the races. Along side with the buffalo race are the
buffalo fancy dressing contest, the healthy buffalo contest
and Miss Farmer Pageant.
Ancestral Spirits Ceremony Festival
is at Si Racha District. It is based on an old custom of the
people of Chonburi only practiced now in Si Racha. It is
held every year between April 19-21 on the grounds in front
of Tambon Si Racha Municipal Office and on Ko Loy Si Racha.
Activities comprise a parade by the elderly group and
personnel from differrent government agencies, dressed in
traditional folk costumes, ceremonies for the appeasement of
the spirits, demonstration of Kong Khao or rice piling, folk
games, demonstration and sales of local cuisine and
delicacies.
Koh Pra Sai Wan Lai Festival at Bangsaen
is based on an ancient tradition practiced by generations of
Tambon Saensuk residents, formerly called the Wan Lai
Merit-Making Ceremony. Villagers from various places would
gather to make merit for the Thai New Year(Songkran).
Monks from every temple in Tambon Saensuk congregate to
perform religious rites that start with merit-making and
food-offering and the bathing of Buddha images. These are
followed by other activities such as building sand stupas,
water-throwing, games and folk sports.
Boon Klang Ban and Phanatnikhom Basketware Festival
is a festival that dates back several years ago usually
taking place during the 3rd to the 6th month of the Thai
lunar calendar. An elder or respected villager determines a
day for merit making and the ridding of ill luck for the
well-being of the people.
The religious ceremonies are followed by the sharing of
meals and performances of folk games.
Loy Krathong (Light Festival)
Thailand's waterways rivers, klongs, even hotel swimming
pools will be ablaze with dazing lights on the evening of
Nov. 14, when the Kingdom celebrates "Loy Krathong" one of
the year's most-awaited festivals.
The annual festival, also celebrated in other neighboring
countries, is held on the full moon day of the 12th lunar
month. Thais place great importance in this event and while
the best celebrations are said to be held in Bangkok,
Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiangmai, the event and while the
best celebrations are said to be held in Bangkok, Ayutthaya,
Sukhothai and Chiangmai, the event is marked with great
funfair all over the Kingdom.
The New year's day
The International New Year Day has been adopted. On the
first of January, people offer food to monks at the temple
or at a particular site designated by government offices of
private organizations. In Bangkok, the Phramaane ground and
the lawn in front of the district offices are popular
places.
.gif){kind=small}
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter now and start receive the Hot Deals on Thailand Hotels and World travel news alert.
