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Songkran
Festival
April 13-15
The traditional Thai New Year is celebrated citywide,
most notably at Sanam Luang, the large field fronting
the Grand Palace, where the revered Phra Buddha
Sihing image is displayed and bathed by devotees,
and at Wisutkasat where a Miss Songkran Beauty
Contest is accompanied by merit-making and entertainment.
Khao San Road in Banglampoo area is also one of
the high-spots in the city to experience the water-throwing
activities between locals and tourists.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
May 15
 An
ancient Brahman ritual, conducted at Sanam Luang,
in which farmers believe is able to forecast the
abundance of the next rice crop. The event is
a result of series of ceremonies that are conducted
by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by a high-ranking
official from the Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives who wears colourful tradition costumes.
This ceremony is considered the official commencement
of the rice-growing season.
H.M. The Queen’s
Birthday Celebration
August 12
To display their loyalty and to honour Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal 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.
Loi Krathong
November 10
It is an impressive and fascinating festival observed
in all parts of the country on the full moon night
of the 12th lunar month, when the moon is in its
splendor and water in all rivers and streams are
full. It is intended primarily as an act of atonement
to Mother River. Small receptacles made of banana
leaves fashioned in the shape of lotus containing
incense and candles, flowers and money are floated
as a gesture of expiation. In Bangkok the festival
is celebrated along the Chao Phraya River and
canals. Hotels on the bank of the river also hold
special events.
Trooping of the Colours
December 3
Their Majesties the King and Queen preside over
this impressive annual event, held in the Royal
Plaza near the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn.
Dressed in colorful uniforms, amid much pomp and
ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear
allegiance to the King and march past members
of the Royal Family.
H.M. The King’s
Birthday Celebrations
December 5
The deep reverence felt by all Thais for their
King is perhaps unique in the modern world, and
his birthday provides an annual occasion for public
expression. Government buildings, businesses,
and homes all over the country are elaborately
decorated and the area around the Grand Palace
and Ratchadamnoen Avenue are spectacularly illuminated.
On December the 5th a big celebration can be seen
at Sanam Luang at night when thousands of people
gather to lit their candles and sing a song to
honour H.M. the King. A long and impressive set
of firework is displayed for this special occasion.
Apart from these major events, Bangkok is also
a venue to hold various events throughout the
year. Check the festival calendar in Festivals
& events in the menu. |
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Bangkok
