subject: Thailand Festivals- A True Celebration Of Thai Culture! [print this page] Most of the festivals in Thailand are vibrant, colourful and entertaining. You can witness how these festivals are intermingled with the lives of the Thai people as it incorporates aspects of local traditions, culture and beliefs into these festivals.
One of the main festivals widely celebrated across Thailand is the Songkran Festival or the Traditional Thai New Year. According to the lunar calendar, this festival is celebrated in the month of April, usually around 13 to 17. During the Songkran Festival, locals pay homage to Lord Buddha by washing the Buddha images, cleaning alters and houses. Thai New Year symbolises a new beginning and in order to mark the purification, people throw water at each other. This is regarded as the most popular ritual among the locals as well as foreigners as it takes a note of merriment and exuberance. The festival is followed by colourful parades and many more entertaining events.
Loy Krathong Festival is another flamboyant event celebrated mainly by the Hindu devotees usually in the month of November or December. Loy Krathong resembles the Festival of Lights or Diwali Festival celebrated in India as it is a similar event celebrated with a multitude of illumination. The main ritual of the festival takes place near a river where people float away krathongs, the decorated rafts which are made out of banana trunks filled with flowers, joss sticks and candles.
Thailand is not only a popular destination for its religious celebrations. It has a wide range of cultural and artistic festivals as well. Bangkok International Film Festival, Pattaya Music Festival, vegetarian Festival and Kings Regatta Cup are some of the renowned ones in the events calendar.
Bangkok International film Festival which falls in March is another entertaining event. The main highlight of the event is the screening of many new and old movies. It is also the platform in recognizing the up and coming talented directors and producers and many award nights and parties are held after the festival. Pattaya Music Festival is another event celebrated in the same month. The event usually takes place on the beach of Pattaya and lasts for three days. The festival sees the recitals of many well-known performers and opera singers with the accompaniment of various music genres such as jazz, classical, pop and other types.
Hailing from all over the country the crowd gathers to the main cities in Thailand during the celebrations, occupying every nook and cranny of space available. It is desirable to reserve your luxury hotels before you step out on your journey to this vibrant city. If you fancy a peaceful place to relax and unwind during your journey Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a perfect option available among the many other Thailand luxury hotel resorts.
