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.

Ploughing Ceremony

Date celebration occurs: May (changes every year)
This ceremony originates from the Sukhothai Period times. The festival is held at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The Majority of Thailand population are Farmers therefore they celebrate the start of the planting season in this country. This celebrations is aimed to provide moral predictions to how well the cropping season will go that year. The Buddhist part of the celebration includes the processing of Buddha images as well as traditions herbs and grains such as rice, glutinous rice, sesame seeds, potato, melons, and sweet basil. Many high ranked officials carry and parade the ceremonial ring with nine different gemstones which they get from the King. On this day the royal Majesty usually attends the ceremony. A traditional aspect of the celebration includes the Ploughing Lord , choosing one of three identical looking cloths with different lengths.  The longer the length the Lord chooses signifies the more the rain that will be present during the season, the longer the rain the better the harvesting season will be. During the day women carry silver and gold basket containing rice in it, while chanting traditional hymns.

Songkran Festival

Water fight on the streets.

Elephants joining in.

Date celebration occurs: 13th April and ends on the 15th April

Offering to the monks

Out of the, many interesting and fun festivals and celebrations in Thailand the Songkran is the most popular. It is not only known and celebrated in Thailand but also in Burma, Cambodia and Laos. In Thai language Songkran means ‘entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac’. It is the Thai traditional New Year when the Thai people can enjoy their holidays to the full with no work interference. The Songkran Festival is similar and a bit like April Fools Day. The celebration begins with and offering to the Monks while wearing their new festive clothing. While the monks celebrate their feast, music sometimes is played to celebrate the occasion. After this begins the well-known "water-throwing feast", the locals bathe and dip the images of Buddha in water as a sign of purification. Young people ‘bathe’ the elders by pouring scented water into the palms of the old people. Another tradition that is carried out during the Songkran festival is the religious service held in memory of the dead. At this service monks bless and lead the prayers upon the ashes. The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People spray and soak each other with water guns, hoses and water bottles. It is a fun couple of days where no one can stay dry. Everyone enjoys the big national water fight.

Mother's Day

Children presenting their Mothers with flowers.

Mother's Day
Date celebration occurs: August 12
In Thailand the 12^th of August is the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Mother’s day is celebrated on this day because the Queen is also regarded as mother to all Thai people, this day is also celebrated as ‘Mother’s Day.’ The people of Thailand prepare for this occasion weeks before, by hanging up flags and portrayed of the Queen on their walls. This is their way of expressing their loyalty and honor to her. In the capital city Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Sanam Luang, the area around Grand Palace is filled with colourful lights and firework at night. On the day, important figures and role models parade down to King’s Palace, on the way to the palace, music bands play popular music pieces. When they arrive at the palace they present the Queens representative with flowers and a gift. Not only is the Queen celebrated on this day but so are all the mothers in Thailand.  Following Thai tradition, kids kneel down before their mother to show their love and gratitude. As well as presenting her with white Jasmine flowers. Donations, offering to monks are also an important part of the day to express child’s love and gratitude towards mother.

Constitution Day



Presentation



Date the Celebration Occurs: 10th December
The constitution day is celebrated or mentioned each year on the 10^th of December to commemorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand. Until June 24, 1932 Thailand leadership was an Absolute Monarchy. It wasn’t until that date that there was a transition to constitutional monarchy led by a group of young intellectuals. Portraits of Thai kings are prominently displayed throughout the kingdom. On Constitution Day, the entire nation is greeted with festivity. On this day, businesses, buildings, homes and even important sights are decorated by bright colours and the Thai flag. Thai citizens jointly express their gratitude to the king who graciously granted them an opportunity to take part in governing the country.

Christmas in Thailand

Date when festivals occurs: 25th December

Because majority of Thailand’s population isn’t Christian but Buddhist, they don’t traditionally celebrate Christmas like in other parts of the country such ad Europe, they just celebrate it because they like having fun.  Children are taught the more commercial meaning of Christmas at school’s rather then the religious aspect. They dress up as Santa’s and Reindeers on Christmas day, and don’t get a day off but go to school like any other day. For shopkeepers and business men it is a good economic day because of the so called ‘Christmas rush’, where everyone is buying presents and decorations.

Buffalo Racing

Dressing up of the Buffalo

The Buffalo Run

At the Costume Competition

Date when Festival Occurs: 22nd October
Racing of the Buffaloes is a very popular and traditional aspect of Thai culture. The Jockey’s ride the Buffaloes bareback, slapping them with a switch. They race the Buffaloes down a 130m straight track. Most of the time the Buffaloes perhaps would have been happier somewhere else like in rice fields then getting lined up for a tiring Race kick their hoofs and buck their owners off before they even manage to reach the end. This Festival takes place in downtown Chonburi 70 km south of Bangkok. The festival was started as a social event for local famers of the area before trading they’re goods. They believe that it taught and trained to the Buffaloes to work harder on the Fields. The day concludes with a Buffalo beauty contest and a Comic buffalo costume contest. It is a fun, colourful event they can not be witnessed anywhere else in the world. 

The Ghost Festival

Masks and Costumes at Ghost Festival

Dates Festival Occurs: May, June , July
Phi Ta Khon is a type of masked procession celebrated on the first day of a three-day Buddhist merit-making holiday. The colourful  festival takes place in May, June or July in  a small town of Dan Sai in the northeastern province of Loei. The participant dress up as colourful ghosts wearing Big masks made of coconut shall carvings. The procession is celebrated with a lot of dancing and music. The origin of this very popular festival is not fully known but it said to be traced back to a traditional Buddhist folklore. A prince was said to go on a long trip for such a long time that his subjects forgot him and even thought that he was already dead. When he suddenly returned, his people were overjoyed. They welcomed him back with a celebration so loud that it even awoke the dead who then joined in all the fun. THis festival demonstrated the culture and artistic side of Thailand.