|
No |
Calendar |
Festivals and locations |
Origin of festival |
|
1. |
January
3rd weekend |
Umbrella Festival
Bo Sang village |
Cultural |
|
2. |
January
4 days on weekend nearest the end of the month |
Wood Carving Fair
Ban Tawai, Hang Dong |
Cultural |
|
3. |
February
1st weekend |
Flower Festival
(See main festivals) |
Cultural
|
|
4. |
February
Full moon of 3rd lunar month |
Makha Bucha
A famous sermon given by Buddha |
Buddhist
|
|
5. |
April
13th - 15th |
Songkran
All over Thailand, especially the north
(See main festivals) |
Ancient Tai- Indic
Traditional New Year |
|
6. |
May
Full moon of 6th lunar month |
Visakha Bucha
At temples all over Thailand |
Buddhist
Celebrates birth, enlightenment & death of Buddha |
|
7. |
May - June
From 12th day of waning moon of sixth lunar month for 6 days |
Inthakhin Wat Chedi Luang:
Especially in the evening when crowds make offerings at the city pillar |
Ancient Tai-Indic:
Pay respects to the city pillar, bring rain & encourage prosperity |
|
8. |
May - June
6th - 7th lunar months |
Setup Jata Muang
Offering made to guarding spirits at the cardinal points of City (gates, city pillar, etc.) |
Ancient Tai-Indic:
Prolong life of city |
|
9. |
June
4th day of waxing moon of 7th lunar month |
Setup Jata Muang
Offering made to guarding spirits at the cardinal points of City (gates, city pillar, etc. ) |
Ancient Tai-Indic:
Prolong life of city |
|
10. |
June
14th day of waxing moon of 7th lunar month |
Lieng Pu Sae-Ya Sae
Mae Hia near Wat Doi Kham. Medium is possessed by guardian spirit. |
Animist:
Propitiate guardian spirits Pu Sae & Ya sae who live on Doi Suthep |
|
11. |
July
Full moon and 1st day of waning moon of 8th lunar month |
Asalaha Bucha- Wan Khao Pansa
All temples |
Buddhist:
Marks the first sermon given by the Buddha & the beginning of the rains retreat. |
|
12. |
August
From full moon of 10th lunar month till end of September |
Salakphat
All temples, esp. Wat Chiang Man, wat Chedi Luang & Wat Suan Dok. |
Buddhist:
Lay merit-
making. Lams are put in baskets and given to monks by lottery. |
|
13. |
October
1st day of waning moon of 11th lunar month |
Ok Pansa
All temples
Tak Bat Devorohana
Hill temples, esp. Wat Fai Hin by Chiang Mai University. Monks walk down and receive alms.
(6 a.m.) |
Buddhist:
End of rains retreat.
Buddhist : Celebrates return of Buddha to earth from heaven where he had been teaching his mother. |
|
14. |
October
Till the full moon of the 12th lunar month |
Kathin
All temples. Thais travel in groups to distant temples. |
Buddhist:
Lay merit making. Offerings of robes and alms. |
|
15. |
November
For three days over the full moon of the 12th lunar month |
Loi Krathong
(Yi Peng)
On waterways all over Thailand
(See main festivals) |
Ancient Tai-Indic:
Give thanks for water and to stop the rains. |
|
16. |
December
Weekend nearest 5th |
Rose Festival
Suan Buak Hat / Thapae Gate |
Cultural:
Beautiful flower displays honour H.M. King’s birthday. |
|
17. |
December
1st - 8th in Lamphun
Dec 30th - Jan 8th in Chiang Mai |
Winter Fairs
Lamphun: esp. sports stadium beauty contests.
Chiang Mai : Sanam Kila or Sala Klang |
Cultural:
A noisy mix of fun fair, freak shows and commercial promotions. |
|
18. |
December
In the middle of the month |
Food Festival
Suan Buak Hat / Thapae Gate |
Cultural |
|
19. |
December
25th - 31st |
Christmas & New Year |
Traditional
(imported) |
