Book A Phuket Resort & Participate in Thailand Festivals

1 January - New Years Day
	Part of the Thai culture is to give thanks and praise in a note worthy way. Every month of the year sees its share of festivals in Thailand. Thousands of tourists plan their Thailand visit around these dates to be part of these beautiful traditions. To greet the New Year, a range of uniquely Thai traditional and cultural festivities are held in various parts of the country. As day breaks on the first day of the new year, it begins with the Buddhist merit-making ritual in the early hours of the morning and is followed by afternoon and evening merry-making and folk entertainment.

8 January - Children's Day
	Children are considered the most valuable resource of the nation and most powerful force in the development and stability of the country. Normally, the age of children taking part in the celebrations should be less then 14 years. To prepare themselves to be the strength of the nation, children should be industrious in their study, make use of their time wisely, being disciplined, diligent, helpful to each other, unselfish, being aware of right and duty and responsible towards society.
In addition, they should keep the country clean and conserve the natural environment and public property. If children are aware of their own future and of the nation by behaving in such a way, they will be called "Worthy Children" and the country will be prosperous. At the same time, to stimulate children to be aware of their significant role in the country, the Thailand National Children's Day was held for the first time on the first Monday of October 1955 and continued until 1963. Then it was changed to the second Saturday of January as at this time the rainy season is over and it is a government holiday. This is still in practice today.
16 January - Teachers Day
	In 1956 Prime Minister P. Pibulsongkram, who was the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Teachers' Council at that time, addressed a gathering of teachers from all over the country. He suggested that as teachers were our benefactors and persons who gave light to our life, they should have a day of their own. This would allow their students an opportunity to pay respect to them. To express our gratitude to the teachers, we wish them and their families happiness and good health throughout their long life.

9 February - Chinese New Years Day
	The sounds of firecrackers can be heard exploding all over the place. Young happy children with 'Ang Pao' (red envelopes containing money) in hand and processions of dragon dancers make their way down the roads of Chinatown's all over the world. They represent the coming of the Chinese New Year, the most important day on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is on the first day of the first month based on the Chinese style lunar calendar. Taking place at the beginning of spring, it is often also referred to as the ‘The Spring Festival’.

23 February - Magha Bucha Day
	This important Buddhist holy day marks the auspicious occasion when 1,250 of Lord Buddha's adherents spontaneously congregated to hear him give a sermon. Merit making ceremonies are held during the day at temples throughout the country, while at night, triple candlelit circumambulations are staged around major temples.

6 April - Chakri Day
	King Rama I (1782-1809) His Majesty King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty who established Bangkok as the capital of Thailand. King Rama I, formerly known as Duang or Thong Duang, was born in Ayutthaya on March 20, 1737 during the reign of King Barommakote. Following the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, he entered the King's service as an officer of the royal household. Later, at the age of 25, he was promoted to be the governor of Ratchaburi Province and played an important part in helping King Taksin restore the country's sovereignty many times.
Following the deposition of King Taksin in 1782, he was chosen as king, becoming the founder and first ruler of the House of Chakri. He was crowned as King at the age of 46 in 1782 and reigned for 27 years, dying at the age of 73. This is a public holiday to commemorate King Rama I who was the first of the Chakri Kings.
13 - 15 April - Songkran (Thai New Year)
	Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. Songkran festival on April 13, is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year. April 14 is Wan Nao which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok when the New Year begins. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival.
Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck. The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for Thai society and Thai religions. The value for the family is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present them with gifts. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity. In Bangkok, the Buddha image "Buddhasihing" is brought out from the National Museum for people to sprinkle water at Sanam Luang, opposite the Grand Palace.
1 May - National Labour Day
	National Labour Day recognizes the important role of Thai labour workers and honors their contribution to the country on this day.

5 May - Coronation Day
	This public holiday on the 6th May commemorate the coronation of the ruling king. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on 5 May 1950. The anniversary of this day has been observed as a public holiday ever since.
In former times, the accession to the throne of a Siamese sovereign was not celebrated publicly. Only a simple ceremony was held by the court officials, in which the royal title and articles of royal use were presented to the king. In the present reign, Coronation Day is observed by a series of religious rites lasting for three days. On the first day, the 3rd of May, there is a Buddhist ceremony at Amarindra Vinichai Hall in the Grand Palace dedicated to the ancestors of the Chakri House, in which scriptures are chanted and a sermon is delivered by a high monk. On the second day, the ceremony consists of two parts. The first is a Brahmanic one and the second a Buddhist one. The third day is Coronation Day. A feast is given to Buddhist monks and the king is dressed in full regalia. At noon, the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy each fire a salute of 21 guns. Later this day decorations are bestowed on officials and civilians who have done meritorious services to the state and society.
11 May - Royal Ploughing Ceremony
	King Bhumibol oversees the ancient Ploughing Ceremony to mark the beginning of the rice planting season. This ceremony began in India, but it has been practiced in Thailand for hundreds of years. The ceremony is very important for Thai farmers, because it predicts how much rain will fall and how well the crops will grow. Thousands of farmers come to the Grand Palace to watch.

22 May - Visakha
	This is the holiest of all the auspicious Buddhist religious days, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. All over the country, people go to temples to listen to sermons by revered monks and make merit. Shortly after sunset, candlelit circumambulations take place around major temples.

21 July - Asanha Pucha Day
	The full-moon day of the eighth lunar month marks the preaching of Lord Buddha's first sermon to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago. In the evening, candlelit processions take place in Buddhist temples around the country.

22 July - Buddhist Lent
	This day marks the commencement of the Buddhist Lent or Phansa, during which monks must reside inside their temples to study and meditate. This is also the most auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations since it marks a period of renewed spiritual vigour.

12 August - The Queen's Birthday (Mothers Day)
	The Thai people regard The Queen as the mother of all Thai people. To display their loyalty and to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on her 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 bedecked with coloured lights and magnificent adornments.

23 October - Chulalongkron Day
	Chulalongkorn Day" or "Piyamaharaj Day", is celebrated on 23 October. It is the day that our King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, died. Known for many reforms, including the abolishment of slavery, he is regarded as one of the most important kings of the past. King Chulalongkorn succeeded to the throne after the death of his father, King Mongkut (or Phra Chom Klao).
King Rama V’s long reign of 42-years was a busy era of full scale reform and the emergence of Thailand into the modern age. He learned the systems of Western Governments, made friends with major powers such as Britain, France, America and Russia and sent the royal children to be educated in the West. It seems he was prepared to learn from the West while at the same time resisting domination by the major powers. Above all, he was the first Thai monarch who traveled widely to neighboring countries in Asia and Europe. Wherever he went, he was impressed by the hospitality and respect shown to him by the Royalty of the various countries.
16 November - Loy Krathong
	The full moon night of November is "Loy Krathong Day". Loy is "to float" and Krathong is a "leaf cup" usually made of banana leaf as one often sees in the market. The leaf cup is used to hold something. Loy Krathong is, therefore, the floating of lights in a leaf cup.
During October and November, all the rivers and canals in the lowlands are flooded and the waters in some places overflow their banks. The rainy season is now in a sense over. It is the time of rejoicing for the weather is fair after the rains. The sky becomes bright and clear, but without its dampness. After the strenuous labour of ploughing and planting rice for the last three months from dawn till dusk, the heavy work is now over. The peasants have only to wait a month or more for the time of reaping. During this interval they have nothing much economically to do, but to spend a comparative time of leisure with feasts and festivals, of which there are many in October and November.
5 December - The King's Birthday (Fathers Day)
	His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great was born on December 5, 1927 to Prince Mahidol of Songkhla and Mom Sangwan. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty and the longest reigning monarch in the history of Thailand. His Majesty the King is well recognized as the heart and soul of the Thai nation.
He is held in very high esteem not only by his own subjects, but His Majesty also commands enormous respect from people in all parts of the world. Everywhere he goes, people turn up to greet him by the thousands. The manner in which His Majesty conducts himself, giving his whole heart and attention to the people, immediately linked the living symbol of the nation to the people in a bond of mutual understanding and personal affection. Long live His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
10 December - Constitution Day
	This day marks the Constitution Day which is held annually to commemorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand. Previously, the government of Thailand was an absolute monarchy until June 24, 1932. At this time there was a transition to constitutional monarchy led by a group of young intellectuals educated abroad and inspired by the concept of western democratic procedures.
The group which was known as "People's Party or Khana Rasdr" was led by Luang Pradit Manudharm (Pridi Panomyong). To avoid bloodshed, King Rama VII graciously agreed to abolish absolute monarchy and handed over the country's first "Permanent" Constitution. All Thai constitutions, however, recognise the King as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of All Religions and sacred and inviolable in his person. His Majesty the King's sovereign power emanates from the people and is exercised in three ways, namely: legislative power through the National Assembly, executive power through the Cabinet and Judicial power through the courts of law. Even though the Revolution of 1932 brought an end to the centuries old absolute monarchy, the reverence of the Thai people towards their kings has not been diminished by this change. Portraits of Thai kings are prominently displayed throughout the kingdom. On Constitution Day, the entire nation is greeted with festivity. The government offices, private buildings and most high rises are decorated with national flags and are brightly illuminated. On this day, all Thai citizens jointly express their gratitude to the king who graciously granted them an opportunity to take part in governing the country.