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Thais' have adopted the western calendar to divide the year into
days, weeks and months, using Thai names for these units. Years are
numbered according to the Buddhist era (BE) which started 543 years
before the Christian era. Therefore 2003 AD is known as BE 2546 and
2004 is known as BE 2547.
Thailand's national public holidays
are associated with religious or agricultural traditions and follow
the lunar calendar, therefore the dates for some of the Thai holidays
change according to year. For the precise dates of the lunar holidays and
festival locations, check www.tourismthailand.org.
January 1 - Western New Year's
Day (Wan Bpee Mai)
For a few decades western New
Year's day has been a public holiday in Thailand. Thai peoples' New
Year's day occurs in April; it is called "SONGKRAN". This year is
the year 2549 in Thailand. The reference point is Lord Buddha's
birth 543 years before Jesus Christ's birth. New years is a
time of incessant fireworks and firecrackers. Kids might throw them
out of a truck, next to your feet, or they might blow up in the air
close to you! It's not a time for the feint at heart ! But,
it's a lot of fun for the Thais and Chinese/Thais'. Perhaps their
craziest holiday AFTER SongKran that is...
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January 14 - Thai Children's Day (Wan Dek) On this day, children organize
feasts. Children are highly respected in Thailand. While riding in a
bus an adult often gives his seat to a child but not to an elderly
person. This holiday always occurs on the second Saturday in
January.
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January 16 - Teachers' Day (Wai
Kru)
This day is an occasion for pupils
to make merit to their teachers. Teachers are highly revered in
Thailand for their knowledge. Pupils create elaborate flower
displays and present them to their teachers. Students are encouraged
to visit past teachers that were important to them and give them a
gift of flowers. Students bow before the teachers, placing their
heads on the teachers knee as a show of respect. The teachers
say some kind words to students and the students listen attentively.
February 16-18th - Chinese New Year's
Day (Dtrut Jeen)
Thailand has a population of about
64 million residents. Approximately 6 million of them have Chinese
ancestors that immigrated to Thailand during the last century. So,
Chinese New year's day is an important public holiday that is
celebrated by those with ethnic Chinese links.
Late January - Early March -
Makha Bucha (in 2007 it is being held February 21st)
This day is a religious public
holiday. Makkha Buchaa Day is celebrated on the full moon of the
third lunar month. It is a remembrance of the day 1250
disciples from the Lord Buddha arrived from afar and gathered to listen to the Buddha's
dharma speech only 7 months after his enlightenment. This is also
the date the Buddha delivered his core teachings - just a few months
before his own death. Merit making ceremonies take
place at temples, while at night candlelit processions will walk
three times around the temples all across Thailand.
- one time for the Lord Buddha
- one time for the Sangha, i.e.
Buddhist monk community
- one time for the Dharma, i.e.
Buddhist teachings
April 6 - Chakri Day
This public holiday commemorates
Thailand's Chakri dynasty. The current King is the ninth King of the
Chakri dynasty. A Royal ceremony is performed by the King to pay
respects to King Rama I the Great, the founder of the Chakri
Dynasty.
April 13 - Songkran Day
The "SONGKRAN" festival happens
during the hottest season of the year, in the middle of April. This
cheap holiday festival occurs in all Buddhist "THEREVADA" countries like Thailand,
Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Songkran is the ancient New Year's Day.
Today the official New Year's Day happens the 1st of January. But
the most popular celebration is still "SONGKRAN".
During Songkran holiday there are 3 days
(and sometimes more) of throwing water at people that drive by in
trucks, walk by, cycle by or ride by on motorbikes. It is an
unbelievably good time if done where there aren't too many tourists
- who tend to get out of hand. In small cities such as Sisaket
and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast the festival part icipants are
usually well-mannered despite very many of them being "Mao Maak!"
(inebriated). If you make it to one holiday in Thailand - make
it this one!
Here are some photos and some short Articles
about
SongKran
Water Throwing Festival in Thailand! >
May 1 - National Labour Day
A public holiday commemorating the
workers of Thailand.
May 5 - Coronation Day
This public holiday is a day to
commemorate the coronation of King Rama IX.
May 11 - Royal Plowing
This is a public holiday.
Royal plowing is done every year by Brahman priests. This event
happens in the front of the temple named "WAT PHRA KAEW" on the big
field called "SANAM LUANG".
This ceremony symbolizes the
beginning of the rice planting season or "sowing" season. Brahmin
priests bless seeds and make symbolic furrows using a plough pulled
by buffalos. Once the ceremony is over, everyone watching runs to
the furrows in order to get the blessed seeds. These seeds are
supposed to bring one good harvests. It is said that this
ceremony will forecast the abundance of the next rice crop.
Sometime in May - Visakha Bucha
Day
This day is a public Buddhist holiday. This day commemorates the birth, the enlightment and the
death (entry into the nirvana) of Buddha. Temples throughout the
country are crowded with people listening to Dharma sermons and in
the evening there is a candlelit procession around the main building
of the temple containing the Buddha statues.
Sometime in July - Asanha Bucha
Day
This day, which is a Buddhist public holiday, happens one day just before the Buddhist Lent day.
This day commemorates the first sermon of Buddha to his five first
disciples. Each of them asked to be a monk. For a period of three
months, monks must remain in their temples and strictly observe
their religious duties. So this day is sacred because it deals
with Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. There are also candlelit
processions.
July - Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent)
This day is a public Buddhist holiday. It is the beginning of the Buddhist rain retreat which
lasts for three months. During this period monks are not allowed to
sleep outside their temple. Thai people buy big candles and offer
them at the temples.
August 12 - HM the Queen's
Birthday "Mother's Day" (Wan Maa)
This public holiday is the day to
honor the mothers of Thailand, especially the Queen, the mother of
all Thai people. On this day all the buildings of Thailand are
covered with images of H. M. The Queen. Thai people give
jasmine garland to their mothers and wai at their mother's feet.
September 7 : End of Buddhist Lent
This day is a religious event. The
three months rain retreat is finished for the monks. Monks are
allowed to leave their temples. Robe offering ceremonies ("THOT
KATHIN" -
ทอดกฐิน)
happen everywhere in Thailand. Thai people select temples all over
Thailand and bring their clothes and food for the monks. "THOT
KATHIN" ceremonies last one month.
October 23 -
Chulalongkorn Day
This is a public holiday day to
commemorate the Rama V or Chulalongkorn wise reign over Thailand.
Thanks to him, Thailand did not become a French or English colony
even if Thailand lost his leadership over Laos, Cambodia and the
northern provinces of Malaysia. During his reign, Thailand became a
modern country.
Nov 5 -
วันลอยกระทง Loy Krathong
day
Loi Krathong is a religious event
which happens every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month
(first full moon day of November). All Thai people buy or make a "KRATHONG".
It is made of cross-sections of banana tree or circles of styrofoam
surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle in the
middle. In the evening, Thai people go to places where there is a
river, pond, or a stream to launch their "KRATHONG". Some
Thais put money on the Krathong and some crafty children and
sometimes adults know this... they swim in the water and wait
for Krathongs to be launched. They then take the money and push the
Krathong on it's way. Nobody seems to get upset at this, as it's
"business as usual" every Loy Krathong day. Here is
a link for
How to make Krathongs for Loy Krathong Day!
December 5 - HM the King's
Birthday
This public holiday is the day of
all the fathers of Thailand. Especially the King Rama IX, the father
of all Thai people. This day is the birthday of the current Thai
King. All the buildings of Thailand are covered up with symbols of
the monarchy and the King. The Thai people revere their king
perhaps as no other people. His majesty has given his entire life to
making Thai peoples' lives better.
December 10 - Constitution Day
Since 1932 Thailand has been a
democracy. Before 1932, Thailand was called Siam and was under the
total rule of the King. Now Thailand is a democracy and it's people
vote on a prime minister and other officials. Some say that Thailand
is even a better democracy since the national army is far from
direct power (since 1992). The king's power is like a moral power
over the Thai people and it exists because they respect him so much
for his kindness and self-less dedication to bettering the country.
Thailand is a little like England : a King with no real
administrative power, a government and no president. This public
holiday is the day to commemorate the Thai democratic constitution.
December 31 - New Year's Eve
This public holiday is the last day
of the year. The New Year holiday and "SONGKRAN" period have always
high accident tolls. During New year holiday 2002, 501 people were
killed in traffic accidents. Many were found to have been caused by
reckless and drunk motorcyclists. Recently the government has
been cracking down on drunk driving during this time. Police checks
all over the large and small highways of the nation are in effect
during these times. Be careful during this time, even more so than
usual!
Thai People
Index - >
Thai Ladyboys (Katoeys) -
Thai "Toms" (Lesbians)
-
Asian Ladyboys in Patong Beach
Thai Relationships
-
Teaching
Thai Kids -
Thai Holidays
Thailand
Tourist Season (Calendar)
Thai Business
Practices -
Somtam
(Som Tam) -
Thai Loss of Face (concept of "face")
Thailand's Elite
Social Class -
Royal Family -
ThaiBuddhist Monks
Thai Muslims
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Thailand's
Good People -
Thailand's Military
Thai Criminals and
Prisons -
Thai Police
-
Other Thai Authorities
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