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Bookmark & shareWith so many cultures and beliefs colliding in Bangkok, it's rare to be in town and not run into a festival of some description. This is especially true in the cooler months from November to February, but religious and cultural events occur year-round. Coronation Day is on 5 May - you may get a glimpse of the royals at Wat Phra Kaew. Also celebrated with some fervour in Bangkok is the King's Birthday on 5 December - some residents erect temporary shrines outside their houses or businesses.
On the cultural side of things, May sees the Royal Ploughing Ceremony halt traffic around Sanam Luang - this ancient Brahman ritual marks the official opening of the rice-planting season. The Thailand International Swan-Boat Races take place in Bangkok in October, and sees colourful crowds flocking to the Rama IX Bridge over the Chao Phraya River.
Browse by Month
January
That Phanom Festival
Jan/Feb
festival/event
A 10-day homage to the northeast's most sacred Buddhist stupa (Phra That Phanom) in Nakhon Phanom Province. Pilgrims from all over the country, as well as from Laos, attend.
Bangkok International Film Festival
Jan/Feb
festival/event
Films from around the world, with an emphasis on Asian cinema, are screened in the capital. Events end with the awarding of the festival's Golden Kinnaree in a range of categories (www.bangkok film.org).
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Jan/Feb
festival/event
Colourful floats and parades exhibit Chiang Mai's cultivated flora.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Diamond Festival
Jan/Feb
festival/event
This week-long celebration of Phetchaburi's history and architecture focuses on Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, a hill topped by a former royal palace overlooking the city. It features a sound-and-light show and presentations of Thai classical dance-drama.
Chinese New Year
Jan/Feb
festival/event
Called trùt jiin in Thai, Chinese all over Thailand celebrate their lunar New Year with a week of house-cleaning, lion dances and fireworks.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
official holiday
Magha Puja
Jan/Feb
official holiday
Held on the full moon of the third lunar month to commemorate Buddha preaching to 1250 enlightened monks who came to hear him 'without prior summons'. A public holiday throughout the country, it culminates with a candle-lit walk around the wian thian (main chapel) at every wat.
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