What importance do Thai festivals have on Thailand's Future?

Thailand festivals are an important part of the Thai society. They demonstrate the historical traditions that have  been around in Thailand since ancient times. These customs are part of Thailand's heritage. The festivals that the Thai people celebrate let them carry out the traditions that their ancestors and elders taught them. These festivals also promote the country and it's sightseeing attractions to the tourists. The future of Thailand lays in the hands of the new generations and these festivals will help them maintain their history and give them a sense of belonging.

Festivals

Thailand Festivals have a great influence on every aspect of Thailand as a country. They all have different meaning and purposes some for spiritual or religious purposes and others for cultural. The Thai festivals demonstrate and present historical and present traditions and the beliefs and lives of people living in this country.  Festivals in Thailand are celebrated by all ages, it is a time for them to come together, enjoy each other’s company while sharing their customs with pride. The most popular festivals in Thailand are the ones to do with Flora and Fauna such as the Annual Elephant Roundup, Fruit fair, Flower Carnival and the Buffalo racing. Others festivals are celebrated for social and traditional purposes such as the Ghost festival, Chinese New Year, Mother’s Day, Songkran Festival, Loy Krathong, and many others. Although all these festivals are associated with having fun and entertaining there are other festivals such as Constitution Day that celebrate the political powers, or monarchy of Thailand. In this Blog you will learn all about the different types of festivals.

Annual Elephant Roundup

When celebration occurs: Third weekend of Novemeber
Surin a province in the northeast in Thailand holds a Festival for elephants. Surin is also known as the province for elephants. Every year more then 100 elephants take part in this event. The Elephant display their amazing grace, strength and intelligence and present and play games like soccer, log carrying, and the tug-of-war against human teams. The playfulness and skill always seems to be admired by the audience. The mock battle is the main attraction of the weekend. It demonstrates the power, talent and strength that these animals have and this is a good example of why they used to be used in wars against invading countries. Prayers are held at this festival for the taming and capturing of elephants in the next season. This festival is recommended strongly because it is a great opportunity to see the gracious, big animals: Thailand’s National Symbol.

Rayong Fruits Fair

Fruit Monster.

Date when celebration occurs: May
The region Reyong is widely know for the tropical fruit it harvests each year. Some of the best (most popular) fruits sold are Rambutan, Durian, Mangosteen, Longgong and Zalacca. The festival takes place  in the middle of May to advertise and showoff the foods of the locals in a market way. The place where it is held alternates between Rayong municipal town and Amphoe Klang. A parade of fruit floats and floral decorations march down the streets. There are beauty pageants, fruit contests, local products and crop and herb displays. One of the most popular attractions is the folklore dancing. This day brings lot’s of joy and fun to all ages.

Chiangmai's Annual Flower Carnival

Date celebration occurs: 6^th to 8^th February.

Parade.

Flower Presentation

Chiangmai’s annual flower carnival is a popular attraction and festival of the town. The season during early February is a perfect time for the celebration to occur because the climate during this time allows not only tropical flowers in Thailand such a Blossoms, Orchids and Dragon plants but also Roses and other european flowers to bloom. The city is decorated with vibrant colors ranging from blues to oranges, pinks to greens. The town has a strong floral smell that remains in the streets for many days after the festival concludes. Beds of flowers cover any free space in the town forming a bright, energizing feel.  On the 7^th, floral floats get paraded down the town street. There are many types of competitions during these festivals such as the beauty contest, floral design competition, a cultural dancing shows. There are many other flowers that grow wild in the Chiangmai countryside these are very unique flowers and each year get presented to the audience and tourists. The Chrysanthemum is one, others like the Indian Shoot and Weeping Lantana are also very specific to this part of the country. This is a very good time to visit Chiangmai for flower lovers and for other tourists.

Loy Krathong

Date celebration occurs: Night of full moon in Novemember.

The only full moon night of November in Thailand is celebrated as Loy Krathong Day. Loy meaning ‘to float’ and Krathong is a ‘leaf cup’. The leaf cups  are commonly made from banana leaf or other tropical leafs that may be purchased at the markets. During late October and early November months Thailand encounters it’s wet season therefore there is a lot of  flooding. Thailand’s people use this opportunity to rejoice and celebrate for the good weather after the rains. The weather and atmosphere becomes warmer and bright and the peoples moods grow happier after knowing that the hard months of ploughing and planting rice are over. By making a trip down to local markets a few days before the full moon in November you will be able to buy a number of different types of Krathongs or leaf cups especially made for sale in this season. The Krathong is usually made up of the leaf itself with a candle, incense stick and perhaps a little coin say a one or five satang piece. You make wishes upon your Krathong or ask the gods for forgiveness before releasing them into fresh, river running water. The elders will sometimes raise their hands in worship to the floating Krathong. After watching the Krathongs float away into the distance the children play with water fire works, this is a traditional aspect of the celebration. This is a very different and beautiful celebration. It is pleasurable for all ages and brings everyone together to enjoy a fun and memorable night.

Floating Krathong

Markets a couple of days before.

Chinese New Year

Dragon Parade

           The ceremony of Chinese New year is the most exciting, energized, astounding festival of all festivals in Thailand. Parades and procession of dragon dancers and people with masks of all sorts march down the street in China Towns all over the world especially Asia. They represent the coming of the Chinese New Year-the most important day on the Chinese calendar. Children receive gifts from family and friends, a tradional one the 'Ang Pao' (red envelopes containing money). The preparations for the great feast begin two days before the actual day. Mothers and wives go to markets to buy foods and goods for the table and other special offering . This is the last day shops are open before the big day. The last day of the year so the day before new years day Chinese and other Asian people prepare offerings and pray to their gods and ancestors. On this day three prayers get said. One in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. After each prayer the people burn golden paper, for luck and it is thought to bring them luck in their after life. New years day is the most important and festive of all three days. People go and visit family members and close family and give them gifts like oranges ,symbolically. The warding off of the demons ceremony is done by lions people dancing in unique Chinese actions. This ceremony is very traditional and although it is not typically Thai, majority of people still celebrate it.