Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์) is a traditional Thai New Year festival where people enjoy themselves by throwing water at each other. In Sanskrit, the word Songkran means ‘to pass’ or ‘move into’ and indicates the passing of the sun, moon and other planets into a new zodiac orbit. Songkran is celebrated on April 13th every year. If you are in Thailand, you would find yourself … [Read more...] about Traditional Thai New Year | Songkran Festival
Important Dates
Makha Bucha Day
Makha Bucha Day (วันมาฆบูชา) is a Buddhist holiday, which takes place annually on the night of the full moon during the third lunar month of the year. “Makha” is the Pali word for the third Lunar month, while “bucha” means to honor or to venerate. Since Makha Bucha is based on the lunar calendar, the date varies from year to year. This year Makha Bucha day is on 19 … [Read more...] about Makha Bucha Day
วันวิสาขบูชา (Visakha Bucha Day)
Visakha Bucha Day (วันวิสาขบูชา) or Wan Pra Yai วันพระใหญ่ marks the three important incidents in the life of Lord Buddha (พระพุทธเจ้า) on the same day - the full moon of the sixth lunar month. The three significant separate events are : 1. The Buddha's Birth (ประสูติ) 2. The Enlightenment of Buddha (ตรัสรู้) - While sitting under the Bodhi tree, he found his answer and … [Read more...] about วันวิสาขบูชา (Visakha Bucha Day)
King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary
Until 13 October 2016, 5 December had long been celebrated as the King Bhumibol Adulyadej ’s Birthday, as well as being marked as Father's Day in Thailand. As of 2017, though, the King’s Birthday public holiday has moved to 28 July, the birthday of new King Vajiralongkorn, or King Rama X. Nevertheless, 05 December remains an important public holiday in remembrance of King … [Read more...] about King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary
National Children’s Day in Thailand
Thailand celebrates its National Children’s Day (วันเด็กแห่งชาติ) on the second Saturday in January. Every year on this day, there are campaigns to indicate that children are the most valuable resource of the nation.The Prime Minister will establish the motto for children. Here is what was chosen by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha: คำขวัญวันเด็กแห่งชาติ 2561: รู้คิด … [Read more...] about National Children’s Day in Thailand
How do Thai People Celebrate New Year?
A lot of people asked me if Thai people celebrate New Year like the rest of the world as the traditional Thai New Year is on 13th of April known as ‘Songkran’. The answer is ‘yes’. Thai people have been celebrating the 1st of January as the first day of the year for almost 70 years. The New Year is a long holiday in Thailand from 31st December to 3rd January. Many people … [Read more...] about How do Thai People Celebrate New Year?
10 Different Types of Krathongs for The Loi Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s most important festivals. As the exact date of the holiday is determined by the Thai lunar calendar, the date is different each year. The festival normally falls in November. The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. Participants carry their Krathongs to the nearby rivers, canals, lake, or ponds. What is … [Read more...] about 10 Different Types of Krathongs for The Loi Krathong Festival
Thai Calendar
Before the current calendar, Thailand used lunar calendar (Thai: ปฏิทินจันทรคติ /bpà-dtì-tin jan-tá-rá ká-dtì/) which is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. Until year 1889 in the reign of King rama V, Thailand formally announced to use the solar calendar (Thai : ปฏิทินสุริยคติ bpà-dtì-tin sù-rí-yá ká-dtì/) in which the years are counted in the Buddhist Era … [Read more...] about Thai Calendar
VIDEO: Songkran Festival
Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์) is a traditional Thai New Year festival where people enjoy themselves by throwing water at each other. In Sanskrit, the word Songkran means ‘to pass’ or ‘move into’ and indicates the passing of the sun, moon and other planets into a new zodiac orbit. Songkran is celebrated on April 13th every year. If you are in Thailand, you would find yourself … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Songkran Festival
Chinese New Year in Thailand
Every year, many people in Thailand with Chinese ancestors which are called "คนไทยเชื้อสายจีน /kon tai chúea-săai jiin/" (about 14% of the population of Thailand), celebrate the Chinese New Year which in Thai is called วันตรุษจีน (wan dtrùt jiin) with elaborate ceremonies. On this occasion, Thai-Chinese people greet with the phrase ซินเจียยู่อี่ ซินนี่ฮวดไช้ Sin Jia Yoo Ee … [Read more...] about Chinese New Year in Thailand
Constitution Day
December 10th marks the Constitution Day, in Thai is "wan rat-ta-tam-ma-noon" (วันรัฐธรรมนูญ) which is held annually to commermorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand At the start of the 1930s, Thailand (then called '*สยาม Siam') was suffering economically from the effects of the great depression. The king at the time was Rama VII was seen by … [Read more...] about Constitution Day
Father’s Day in Thailand
One of the most important days in Thailand is Father's day (วันพ่อแห่งชาติ, wan-pôr-hàng-châart) It is celebrated on December 5 which is the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา, wan-chà-lěrm-prá-chon-má-pan-săa), the monarch of Thailand. King's birthday is a national holiday and is celebrated all over the country. December 5, 2015 is the … [Read more...] about Father’s Day in Thailand
Mother’s Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ)
Mother’s Day Celebrations in Thailand In Thailand, 12th of August is celebrated as the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit (Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ). As the Queen is also regarded as mother to all Thai people, this day is also celebrated as ‘Mother’s Day’ (วันแม่). The celebrations for the Queen and for mother are being held every year without … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ)
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is called พระราชพิธีพืชมงคล /Pra Ratchapitii Puetchamongkon/. It is an ancient royal rite held in Cambodia and Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season and ensure fertility of crops. The ceremony has been performed in Thailand since the Sukhothai period, some 700 years ago, and is closely watched by farmers across the … [Read more...] about Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Thai Coronation Day
Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล [wan chat-mong-kol]) The coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej took place on 5 May 1950. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty. On 5 May of every year, the Thai people rejoice and express their affection and loyalty to him by organizing a celebration on his coronation day. Prior to the reign of King Rama IV (King … [Read more...] about Thai Coronation Day
Staying Sane at Songkran
Songkran celebrations allow tourists to experience part of the rich, ancient traditions and rituals of Thailand. Here are some simple Dos and Don’ts. Do Feel free to donate alms to monks Remember to use waterproof or Ziploc bags to protect your belongings if you’re participating in water fights. Say ‘Sawatdee Bpee Mai’ (watch this video to learn other useful … [Read more...] about Staying Sane at Songkran
Thai scented water and White clay filler
Sawatdee ka, Songkran is one of the most important festivals for all Thai! Click here to read more about Songkran. I am ready to go! Do you have any equipment for Songkran? Besides a water gun (which is not a compressive pressure one. I am afraid I will hurt other people if I use those big compressive pressure guns) I also have white clay filler (ดินสอพอง Din Saw … [Read more...] about Thai scented water and White clay filler
National Thai Elephant Day
Credit photo : Flickr by Madeline Snow March 13th marks the 15th iteration of Annual National Thai Elephant Day (วันช้างไทย) – The Secretariat of The Prime Minister appointed this date since 1998 to attract attention to Thailand’s national symbol. The National Elephant Day is not a holiday in Thailand. I don’t think a lot of people of the nation realize such a day … [Read more...] about National Thai Elephant Day
National Thai Language Day
July 29th every year is observed as National Thai Language Day วันภาษาไทยแห่งชาติ /wan paa-săa tai hàeng châad/ On 29 July 1962, the King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama 9) visited the Faculty of Arts of Chulalongkorn University, the oldest university in Thailand to join experts on the Thai language in a discussion on problems with using Thai words. During the discussion, … [Read more...] about National Thai Language Day
Buddhist Lent Day (วันเข้าพรรษา Wan Khao Phansa)
Wan Khao Phansa [วันเข้าพรรษา: wan kâo pan-săa] is a period of three lunar months during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in one particular place or temple [วัด: wát]. This year it runs from 6th July to 31st July 2020 (วันออกพรรษา /wan àwkpan-săa/ ). This tradition originates from old times when Buddha stayed in temples during the rainy season to avoid … [Read more...] about Buddhist Lent Day (วันเข้าพรรษา Wan Khao Phansa)