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The Thai people love to celebrate and since Thailand is the country of “sanuk” (fun) there are many festivals throughout the year. Some provide cultural insights, while others are good for shopping bargains. At certain festival times like Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Songkran (April) hotels and flights are busy and hotel reservations are difficult to secure, so it may be wise to book ahead. Bo Sang Umbrella Fair and San Kamphaeng Handicrafts Festivals, (January) Chiang Mai has become renowned for its exquisitely painted paper umbrellas, which are sought after by visitors from all over the world. An annual fair, held on the main street, celebrates the traditional art of umbrella making and painting, as well as features contests, exhibitions, sales of handicrafts, and a Miss Bo Sang beauty pageant. Bangkok China Town Festival (Jan/Feb): Though each year the Chinese New Year varies in the date it is held, you can always expect deafening fireworks, booming drums and clanging cymbals in Bangkok’s Chinatown. The roads are closed to traffic, so everyone can enjoy the Lion Dance, the procession of the golden dragons and the Chinese street food stalls. Chiang Mai Flower Festival, (February): The North is noted for its abundance of flowering plants, especially temperate zone species, which burst into full bloom towards the end of the cool season. Spectacular beautiful florals are the memorable feature of this 3-day festival in Chiang Mai also known as the "Rose of the North". More than 3000 species of orchids, roses and chrysanthemums are for sale. There are floral displays, local handicrafts sales, and enchanting beauty pageants. Sculptures of temples, animals and even scenes from the Hindu epic poem the Ramayana are made from flowers and paraded on floats through the streets of Chiang Mai. Underwater Wedding Trang (March): The first underwater wedding ceremony in Trang attracted 30 participants from 28 countries and set a new Guinness World Record in the millennium year. It proved so popular that it’s now an annual event. Friends and relatives of the lucky bridal couples are also being encouraged to dive right in and accompany the bride and groom. Temple Run (March): A newcomer on Thailand’s race scene, the Temple Run offers a perfect mixture of facing and cultural experience. Full marathon, half marathon or Fun run, it’s bound to be an interesting experience. Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival, Yala (March): Dove lovers from all over Thailand, as well as from other neighboring countries come to this southern city for this event. The major highlight is a dove-cooing competition involving more then 1,400 participants. Pattaya Festival (March): Shake, rattle and roll, Dance hip-hop, rock, pop, jazz and easy listening on Pattaya’s white sand beach. Food and floral floats, beauty pageants, stalls selling delicious cuisine and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are some of the activities for those who want to participate in the fun. Lampang’s Annual Elephant Satok Fair, Thia Elephants Conservation Centre (March): Every year, an elephant Fair is conducted and the centre organizes a khantoke, a northern style meal, as part of the festivities. The fair also features a spectacular northern style procession as well as typical north cultural shows and music. Poi sang Long, Mae Hong Son (March): One of Thailand's most naturally scenic areas, this province is home to a number of hill tribe groups. Poi Sang Long, the ordination of novices, is a religious ceremony of the Thai Yai. A spectacular colorful procession displaying the offerings for monks is paraded through the town. Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival (March): Traditionally northeastern, villages have created and launched rockets of all kinds and sizes as a belief that this will ensure that the gods will send plenty of rain for the rice-planting season. As part of this two-day festival, there are beauty pageants and various forms of folk and cultural entertainment full of merriment. Songkran Festival, (April 12-15): Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year. This is the time for Thais to pay homage to Buddha images, clean their houses, and sprinkle water on their elders in a show of respect. In the hot season, it is the Thai’s belief that Songkran will bring the rain, which inevitably does come. Anyone who ventures out on the streets is likely to get a thorough dousing of water, all in good fun, but also quite welcome at the peak of the hot season. This low key affair has developed over recent years into a general water-fight indulged in by locals and visitors. Everything from hoses and ten gallon tubs, to tiny water pistols guarantee a thorough soaking, but in 30C+ temperatures, no-one minds. Especially popular in the tourist areas of Khao San Road, Bangkok, and the centre of Chiang Mai where the festival usually last for about 5 days and includes colorful parades and religious ceremonies Thai Fruit Festival, Nationwide, (May 1 – 31): When the fruits are at the peak of luscious ripeness, a fair is held in which the locals sell fruits from the surrounding orchards together with other local products. Spectacular colorful floats decorated with fruit and flowers are paraded though the streets of these provincial capitals. Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok, (May): An ancient Brahmin ritual, conducted at Sanam Luang, which farmers believe is able to forecast the abundance of the next rice crop. The event is a result of a series of ceremonies that are conducted by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative who wears colorful traditional costumes Phi Ta Khon Festival, Loei, (June): With origins from a well-known Buddhist tale, the colorful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession feature young men who dress up as spirits to accompany a sacred Buddha image and taunt villagers. Monks relate the tale of Lord Buddha’s last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. Included are competitions of masked dances and processions. Everyone is welcome to participate. Thailand Grand Sale Bangkok (June – July) : Once a year Bangkok has a Grand Sale offering discounts on quality products and services in selected outlets. Bargains include those at department stores, shopping malls, restaurants, tourist sites, airlines, travel agencies, brand name shops, OTOP (locally produced village products) and more. Special weeks of clothes, accessories, Thai handicrafts, Thai silk, electrical appliances, sport products, brand name products and local textiles. Hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, tour operators and car rentals also offer discounts during this period. Candle Festival (July): This celebration marks the end of the Buddhist lent during which time all Buddhist monks must stay in their temples. The people in the northeast of Thailand create beeswax Buddhist candles, temples and shrines. These "wax castles" help them to gain merit, which will determine their future rebirth. Sakon Nakhon has one of the most spectacular festivals with a grand wax procession, boat races and traditional northeastern cultural performances. Ubon Ratchathani has processions of huge, beautifully carved beeswax candles, some of them several metres tall, presented to local temples. Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday (August 12): To display their loyalty and to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are adored with colored lights and magnificent decorations. Boat Races – Phichit, Phisanulok, Narathiwat (September): Boat racing has been a part of Thai culture for centuries, and regattas are held in various parts of the country. This annual event takes place on the various rivers throughout Thailand. The events feature boats competing against each other with great fervor and excitement with the cheers of the spectators. Vegetarian Festival (September): These annual events are conducted by the locals of Chinese descent who engage in a ten day vegetarian diet There are merit-making ceremonies at the local Chinese temples as well as processions of ascetics performing extraordinary feats. Chon Buri Buffalo Races (November): The water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand, but in this yearly event, they can be seen in more unusual and entertaining ways than ploughing fields; namely, buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man. Loi Krathong, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai (November): Held amid the breathtaking ruins of the glorious ancient city, activities often include krathong floating, a fireworks display and cultural performances and an amazing light and sound show. In Chiang Mai there is an unusual ritual associated with the Loi krathong Festival. This is the launching of Lanna-style hot air balloons, which are considered by local art and cultural performances, various fun-filled competitions, and local products sales and exhibitions. Traditional Boat Races, Buri Ram, Nakhom, Ratchasima and Nakhon Phanom: These annual festivals held for more than a century, the traditional longboat races draw thousands of visitors from all over. These events are further enhanced by local art and cultural performances, various fun-filled competitions, and local product sales and exhibitions. Elephant Round-Up Show, Surin (November): Introduced in 1960, this intertnationally, famous yearly event attracts people from all over the world to Surin to see more than one hundred elephants participate in spectacular shows that include colorful processions, tug-o-wars between elephants and men, demonstrations of log-pulling skills and various other extraordinary feats seat in a carnival atmosphere. River Kwai Bridge Week Fair, Kanchanaburi (Nov/Dec): Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River Kwai Bridge, which was built by allied prisoners, during World War II, becomes the focal point of celebrations. Highlights include historical and archaeological exhibitions, a carnival, folk and cultural performance, rides of World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge’s World War II history. His Majesty the King’s Birthday Celebrations, Nation wide, (December 5): His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadeji, the world’s longest reigning monarch is well loved and deeply respected by all Thais old and young. The occasion of his royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country, building and homes are elaborately decorated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated. 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