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The date and time of the following festivals in some provinces may be changed
as a result of the weather or the postponement by the organising host of the events.
Please check the date and time again before travelling. Tourism Authority of Thailand
provides tourist information centre at call centre 1672 or 0 2250 5500.
Koh Chang’s Food and Fruit Festival
When: 15 April - 1 May 2018
Where: Koh Chang, Trat
In the festival you can find agricultural products, OTOP products, products from the sea and performances on the stage etc.
at the front of Koh Chang Government Office. There is the low cost sale of fruits directly from gardeners, fruit contest,
processed fruits and the best seeds of Koh Chang Durian bid, as well.
Top of the Gulf Regatta
When: 27 April - 1 May 2018
Where: Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach,
Pattaya
The annual Top of the Gulf Regatta takes place at Ocean Marina Yacht Club,
Jomtien Beach, which has grown to become the largest by boat number and become
the center of boat racing in Asia. This event helps to promote the tourism
of Pattaya and attracts large keelboats and multihulls, dinghies, beach catamarans
and youngsters sailing the Optimists. Top of the Gulf Regattais an
international boat racing, which supported by the Yacht Racing
Association of Thailand (YRAT) and awards the international standard
from International Sailing Federation or ISAF. The event expects to
welcome more than 500 sailors in more than 250 crafts to the water of the Gulf of Thailand.
Hua Hin of Yesteryear Festival
When: 28 April - 7 May 2018
Where: Hua Hin Queen’s Park,
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Hua Hin of Yesteryear Festival held annually at Hua Hin Queen’s Park. The aim of festival to promote tourism and local culture and
also to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the Royal Wedding Anniversary of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen on 28th April.
The event will encompass a wide range of activities such as contemporary music performances, light and sound shows, Thai silk fashion show,
Miss Hua Hin Contest, cultural shows and folk plays.
Elephant Buffet and jumbo queen contest
When: 1 May 2018
Where: Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo, Sam Phran District,
Nakhon Phathom
Samphan Elephant Ground Zoo host Jumbo Banquet in May 1st in honor of the gentle elephant
which are so well loved in Thailand. 2 Tons of elephant's favorite edibles are selected for
them to feast on and Jumbo Queen Contest is provided to find the participant of XL ladies
that best exhibits the characteristics of the titanic elephant.
Samui Bike Week 2018
When: 5 - 6 May 2018
Where: Laem Din Road,
Koh Samui
See a big bike parade from all over the country. Watch motorcycles contest and
exhibition. Enjoy sightseeing around Koh Samui, live concert and attend environmental
promotion activities.
Hua Hin Marathon 2018
When: 13 May 2018
Where: Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall,
Hua Hin
This competition are included Marathon 42.195 kilometers, Half Marathon
21.1 kilometers, Mini Marathon 10 kilometers and Smile Run 5 kilometers.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day
When: 14 May 2018
Where: Sanam Luang,
Bangkok
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held at the Sanam Luang ceremonial site in Bangkok each year. In Sukhothai period (1257 - 1350 A.D.) more than 700 years ago,
During the Ayutthaya period, this ancient ceremony was incorporated into the Palace Laws and became known as Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan, or First
Ploughing Ceremony, which formerly was performed exclusively as a Brahmin ritual.
The ceremony, which heralds the start of the new rice-growing season, was undertaken to assure a successful planting season and an abundance of the nation's crops.
Festivities were held to boost the farmers' morale, urging them to strive for an abundant harvest and ensure sufficient reserves for times of war as well as for
export overseas.
Hua Hin International Jazz Festival
When: 18 - 20 May 2018
Where: Hua Hin Beach,
Hua Hin
Relax at the Hua Hin Jazz Festival where you will enjoy renowned Thai and
international jazz musicians, familiar all-time favorites and contemporary tunes.
A true celebration of jazz in a beautiful beach atmosphere where you can also
enjoy sumptuous cuisine and refreshments available at different stands along
the beach. If you enjoy unique folk handicrafts for souvenirs, this will also
be a chance for you to shopping for your loved ones.
Samui Regatta
When: 26 May – 2 June 2018
Where: Chaweng Beach,
Koh Samui
Samui Regatta has grown to attract the best yachts in Asia and a
large spectator following who come to Koh Samui for great sailing, great
parties and to experience all that the island has to offer.
Hat Yai Marathon
When: 27 May 2018
Where: Jiranakorn Stadium, Hat Yai District,
Songkhla
This competition are included Marathon 42.195 kilometers,
Half Marathon 21.1 kilometers, Mini Marathon 10.5 kilometers and
Fun Run 4 kilometers.
Walking Up Doi Suthep Annual Celebration
When: 28 - 29 May 2018
Where: Chiang Mai University,
Chiang Mai
Starting at the front gates of Chiang Mai University and ending with
three walks around the golden Chedi of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, thousands
of people make the trip up the mountain to respect the Lord Buddha. The
entire experience has a carnival atmosphere to it as volunteers hand out
free water and snacks along the way and the street is lit with colorful lights.
Ordination parade on elephant’s back Festival
When: 29 May 2018
Where: Wat Chaeng Sawang,
Surin
The head shaving ceremony is held at Wat Chaeng Sawang (in the morning of 13th waxing moon, 6th month) and the group perform ceremony for encouragement
(in the morning of 14th waxing moon, 6th month). Let's see the ordination parade on elephant's back more than 100 elephants from Wat Chaeng Sawang to Don Buat
(Talu Palace) in the afternoon of 14th waxing moon, 6th month. There is also making offerings to the spirits and asking for forgiveness ceremonies at Talu Palace
(in the afternoon of 14th waxing moon, 6th month)
Phrathat Si Song Rak Homage-paying Fair
When: 29 May 2018
Where: Phrathat Si Song Rak, Dan Sai District,
Loei
Explore the religious ceremonies: food offering, chamber cleaning, the Lord Buddha’s relics homage paying, novice monk blessing,
the Lord Buddha’s relics worshipping, wax tree offering, Buddha image bathing, candlelight procession, and the launch of bamboo rockets.
The Ritual Bathing Ceremony for Phra That Hariphunchai Chedi
When: 29 May 2018
Where: Wat Phra That Hariphunchai,
Lamphun
Phra That Hariphunchai Temple was built during the reign of King Arthitayarat, a descendant of Queen
Chamthewi some 800 years ago. Holy relics were enshrined in a massive 46-metre tall golden Chedi called
Phra That Hariphunchai whose present appearance was the result of the restoration work in 1443 by a king
of Chiang Mai. To pay homage to one of the most sacred monuments in Northern Thailand, Song Nam Phra That
Hariphunchai festival has long been held and attracts Buddhists in Lamphun and nearby provinces as well
as visitors. Besides the religious ceremony, also included are cultural performance, giant drum competition,
sacred water pilgrimage and nail-covered dance shows (fon lep).
Visakha Bucha
When: 29 May 2018
Where: Throughout
Thailand
This day commemorates the birth, the enlightenment and the entry into the nirvana of Buddha. Temples throughout the country are crowded with people listening to sermons
about Dharma (Buddha's teaching) and in the evening there is a candlelit procession around the main building of the temple containing the Buddha statues.
6th Month Merit Tradition
When: May 2018
Where: Statue of Chao Phor Phraya Lae,
Chaiyaphum
The event is the province's celebration in honour of Chao Phor Phraya Lae, or Phraya Pakdi Chumpol,
who established the city. In the event there are Parade to pay homage to Chao Por Paya Lae, booths selling
OTOP products, music shows by famous artists and a grand Baisri parade.
The Brutal Ordination Parade
When: May 2018
Where: Wat Ta Kaek Ban Non Salao, Phu Khiao district,
Chaiyaphum
Brutal Ordination Parade is the most unique ordination ceremony unlike anywhere
else in the world. Held annually since 1971, normally in the month of May before the
Buddhist Lent period, this ordination ceremony is particularly arranged for young
male villagers of Ban Non Salao – Ban Non Tan communities at Phu Khiao district in
Chaiyaphum who are to ordain to become a Buddhist monk. Each would-be novice will
be put on a bamboo stretcher and be carried by young male villagers around the
village for approximated 3 kilometers. And while they are sitting over the bamboo
chair and carried around, they will be shaken violently and harshly.
Phayao Lychee and Quality Products Fair
When: May 2018
Where:The ground behind the Mueang Phayao Municipality,
Phayao
In the event, there are fairs offering lychees and quality products of Phayao and a lychee beauty pageant.
Yasothon Bun Bang Fai Festival
When: May 2018
Where: Phaya Thaen Park, Mueang District,
Yasothon
Bun Bang Fai Festival is an ancient local festival, which is associated with Thai traditional beliefs in the supernatural powers that help promote the production of
rice crops for the coming planting season. In the rainy season, the local people believe that the god would hear the entreaties that they create a rocket or 'Bang Fai'
to send to heaven, and bless them with plentiful rain for rice cultivation. So, the celebration is entirely to the god of rain. On the festival day, the beautiful rockets
in different styles are paraded to the launch site. The local people dress in colorful traditional costumes and dance to accompany the procession. The highlight of the
festival is the launch time. The rockets are fired from their launch platforms one by one. Noisy folk music and cheers can be heard for each liftoff and the rocket that
reaches the greatest height is declared the winner
Inthakin City Pillar Festival
When: May 2018
Where: Wat Chedi Luang,
Chiang Mai
Inthakin also known as Sai Khan Dok - worship of the city pillar. This is a tradition of flower offering to the pillar. The festival held on End-May every year.
This is a very large celebration in which the Chiang Mai citizenry participate such as dancing, musical performances, carnival games, and the ubiquitous Thai vendor
food is present
The festival begins with a procession around the old town of the city. A Buddha image called Phra Fon Saen Haa (the Five Hundred Thousand Raindrop Buddha) is carried,
blessed with lustral water and placed in the courtyard of the temple. After this the devotees are allowed to venerate the Buddha and the City Pillar, and to place flowers,
candles and incense in each of twenty-eight bowls laid out on mats in the temple. During this festival, the temple is dramatically lit up and the streets around the temple
are filled with vendors selling not only flowers, candles and incense to the worshippers, but also lots of food and drink. There are also cultural performances and dance
displays.