10 Thailand Festivals You Won't Want to Miss

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries to visit, filled with rich culture and celebration. It is no wonder that last year almost 33 million tourists visited the country, making it number 11 on the list of most-visited places in the world. Additionally both numbers are projected to increase as time goes on. If you're looking to plan the most incredible vacation, consider Thailand. Here are the top 10 Thailand festivals that you won't want to miss this year!

The Top Ten Thailand Festivals

When you book your stay in Thailand, it's important to match up your trip with the month of the festivals you plan to attend.

Lucky for you, almost every month of the year has a celebration that you won't want to miss. Now all you need to consider is the weather and average travel costs.

Thailand festivals in February

1. Chinese New Year

In areas of Thailand where there is a large Thai-Chinese community, people celebrate Chinese New Year when the Chinese lunar calendar begins.

There are firework shows and also traditional dragon dancers that liven up the streets.

Other traditions include giving red envelopes with money inside, decorating and hanging red paper lanterns, playing Chinese fortune sticks, and not cleaning the house.

Thailand festivals in April

2. Songkran

Songkran is one of the most popular Thailand festivals.

Two months after the Thai people celebrate the Chinese New Year, they celebrate their own New Year in the form a Water Festival.

Thais mostly celebrate by honoring the elderly and ridding themselves of back luck through Buddha.

Water fights occur for hours at a time and additionally parades with lively music help ring in the New Year.

Thailand festivals in June

3. Phi Ta Khon

This festival lasts for three days and is commonly known as the Ghost Festival.

Men in the community wear colorful, elaborate costumes and there are many parades throughout neighboring towns.

Buddhist monks visit on the last day of the festival to give sermons to the people and join in on the fun.

4. Kaeng Hin Phoeng Whitewater Rafting Festival

What better way to spend your time in Thailand than riding through some river rapids with a little competition involved?

The rafting routes vary from moderate to difficult and offer an awesome view of surrounding mountains and foliage. Locals tell legends about the area before and after each trip.

Thailand festivals in July

5. Boon Bang Fai

Wait until you hear this - it's a Rocket Festival. Over the course of three days, visitors can enjoy parades with floats, dancing, drinks, pageants, music, and homemade rocket launching.

Locals celebrate the coming of the wet/planting season and launch the rockets to bring on the rain for a successful crop.

Thailand festivals in October

6. Rub Bua

There is a discrepancy over the translation into English. Some people refer to this festival as the Lotus Throwing Festival, while others call it the Lotus Receiving Festival.

Locals stand along the shore of the Samrong Canal and throw flowers at a float carrying a statue of Buddha.

Unlike other festivals listed here that can last for days, this celebration lasts only about two hours. You will see other floats in procession behind the Buddha and the atmosphere is very upbeat and exciting.

7. Phra Samut Chedi

This festival lasts for more than a week and is worth the visit on any of the days that it's running.

It's held at a popular temple where an enormous red cloth is sewn and ceremoniously hung.

Stalls and booths are set up across town and streets are closed to traffic because they are so crowded and busy. Traditional food and drinks are served and games are played.

Thailand festivals in November

8. Loy Krathong

Better known as the Festival of Light, (and not to be confused with Yi Peng, the Festival of Lanterns), Loy Krathong takes place at night during a full moon.

Decorated baskets float down a river to symbolize good wishes and good luck. The small floating containers are also decorated with banana leaves, candles, and coins.

Hundreds of tourists join in this celebration every year which proves that the decorated boats are a breath-taking sight that you don't want to miss.

9. Monkey Buffet Festival

Tourists often say that this celebration is considered one of the most bizarre Thailand festivals.

There are many species of wild monkeys in Thailand. They roam the streets, hang out in yards and stores, and on this holiday, eat a big meal.

Locals gather at nearby temples and feed the monkeys fruits and vegetables. They often make it a challenge for the monkeys by freezing the food into blocks of ice.

While the festival is a great place to watch and take pictures of the monkeys, professionals advise you to keep your distance and not touch them.

Metro News offers more tips on how to enjoy the native monkeys while keeping yourself safe.

10. Yi Peng

If you prefer watching lanterns float in the sky rather than down a river, you don't want to miss the Yi Peng celebration.

Buddhist people accumulate merit during this full moon celebration. The positive force associated with merit helps people make good choices, do good deeds, and also have positive thoughts.

Usually, people who celebrate Yi Peng decorate lanterns on their lawns and at their temples, too.

Thailand festivals - The Choice is Yours

A lot of very intriguing festival and celebration choices, right?

Plan your perfect vacation to Thailand today and be sure to attend some incredible Thailand festivals while you're there!

Visit our website for more information on where to stay during any of these festivals.