Mercure's travel guides

Thais know how to have sanuk (fun) and Bangkok's calendar is packed with festivals. Royal functions such as the King's or Queen's birthdays are the stimulus for fireworks and free entertainment, while Chinese New Year is celebrated with lion and dragon dances and general mayhem in Chinatown. Buddhist festivals like Makha Puja in February or March, Visakha Puja in May or June and Asanha Puja in July or August tend to be more peaceful, centred on temples, candlelit processions and sermons by monks. Those who don't appreciate a good, clean water fight should avoid Songkran, the craziest of all Bangkok's festivals.

Loy Kratong

Various venues, Bangkok
0-2225-7612 - 0-2225-7615

Description:

Held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, this is one of Thailand's most peaceful festivals. Its origins are debated but certainly centuries old. Thais float lotus-shaped vessels with flowers and candles to wash away the past year's problems and sins. Traditionally they are made of banana leaves and other natural materials, but modern times have seen Styrofoam, which has been justly criticized.
November 10, 2011

Songkran

Various venues, Bangkok

Description:

The traditional Thai New Year tops Bangkok's list of annual events. It is a unique, three- to four-day festival when the city – and the country for that matter – stops and celebrates, bringing in the New Year chiefly with water. The event is centuries old, but in recent decades has turned into a huge water fight on the city's streets. Be warned: no-one is safe from water pistols and even buckets of water. Visitors either join the festivities and get wet, or stay inside. In Bangkok, Songkran falls April 13-15, but the date varies around the country.
April 13 - April 15, 2012

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Sanam Luang, Bangkok

Description:

Held in Sanam Luang next to the Grand Palace, this ceremony marks the beginning of the rice-planting season with a Brahman ritual. Thousands watch as farmers run after the seed rice to see if the coming year will bring them a good harvest or not. In recent years the Crown Prince has overseen the ceremony in place of the King.
May 13, 2012