Tuesday, March 27, 2012

EVENTS & FESTIVALS AROUND THAILAND – APRIL


Mueng Petch Fair
1–6 April, Phetchaburi province
See a demonstration by skilled local craftspeople, accompanied by games, fireworks exhibitions and a beauty contest. Enjoy a fun day in the countryside for all!

Poi Sang Long Tradition
1–15 April, Mae Hong Son province
This time-honoured festival frequented by many Shan descendants celebrates the time at which a young boy enters into monkhood at a local Buddhist temple.

Betong Walking Street Festival
1–30 April, Yala province
Activities including eating Betong fried noodles, a chicken eating competition, a “myth of Betong” exhibition, local art and culture show, band, singing and dance contests and more!

Khao Phanom Rum Festival
2–7 April, Buriam province
Highlights include a rarely seen invocation ritual or buang suang ceremony, a procession to pay homage to the gods and celestial beings, a traditional I-San-style hope bai dinner and more!

Easter Sunday
April 8, nationwide
Today is the day that many Christians celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection with Easter eggs, hot cross buns and prayer. Events can be found throughout Thailand at churches and hotels.

Songkran,
13–15 April, nationwide
The time of year when the whole nation stops to celebrate the dawning of a new year with water blessings, water fights, paying respect to elders and general mayhem.

Phutket Bike Week
20–22 April, Patpong Beach, Phuket Island
Join scores of other motorbike enthusiasts to share your love of bikes and partake in such exhibitions, concerts, dinners, parties, rallies, conferences and even a tattoo contest! 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

EVENTS & FESTIVALS AROUND THAILAND – MARCH

La Fete

Until end April, around Thailand
Fries notwithstanding, all things French hit Bangkok annually with La FĂȘte. Besides the usual art exhibitions and concerts, past programmes have also featured puppet and street theatre
shows and a French film festival.


27th Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival
1–31 March, Khwan Mueang Park, Mueang District, Yala Province
Doves are believed to bring good luck to those who raise them. Enthusiasts annually hold a cooing competition for small, medium and large voice contestants.

Monthly Auctions
3 March, River City Shopping Complex, Bangkok
Held at the Riverside Auction House, this monthly auction is a great place to pick up genuine antiques and traditional handicrafts from Thailand and beyond.

Bangkok Jazz Festival
9-14 March, CentralWorld Square, Bangkok

Sway to the sounds of cool jazz in the unique down-town location at Bangkok's annual Jazz Festival. Over 30,000 jazz fans yearly support the impressive line-up of local and international talent.

Magha Puja (Sangha Day)
7 March, around Thailand
This important Buddhist holy day celebrates the occasion when 1250 of the Lord Buddha's disciples spontaneously gathered to hear him preach. Ceremonies take place during the day at Thailand's temples, while at night, candlelight processions are staged around monastery chapels.

Thailand International Kite Festival
9–11 March, Mrigadayavan Palace, Phetchaburi
This festival attracts an ever-growing number of devoted kite fans, participants and spectators every year, who come to witness amazing stunts, shows, exhibits and workshops.

Thailand International Furniture Fair
14–18 March, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC)
Deck your home out in superb furniture at this fab fair. Areas are dedicated to lighting, home decor furnishings, garden furniture and more, all made by local and international manufacturers.


Hollywood Stars & Divas Charity Concert
15–17 March, Siam City Hotel, Bangkok
Kamala Sukosol and her talented family will again be taking to the stage to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society. Expect exceptional singing and dancing and loads of fun!

Pattaya International Music Festival
16–18 March, Beach Road, Pattaya
This is an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy a weekend of listening and dancing to beautiful music performed by more than 100 global musicians in one of Asia’s liveliest seaside cities.

Bangkok International Motor Show
26 March – 8 April, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC)

This is a great opportunity to see the latest advances in motoring technology, from classic cars to bikes all under one roof. Surround by millions of other car fanatics

Bangkok International Book Fair
29 March – 8 April, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC)
Thailand beckons bibliophiles to its capital. Publishers’ wheel and deal and the public scours the stands for their favourite Thai and international genres and non-fiction titles.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

EVENTS & FESTIVALS AROUND THAILAND — JANUARY


Hat Yai Lantern Festival
1 Jan – 30 April, Hat Yai Municipality Park, Songkhla
The festival is divided into 7 categories: Amazing Small World, Amazing Floating Lantern, Amazing Animal Planet, Amazing Lantern of the East, Amazing Chinese Lantern, Amazing Bird Paradise and Amazing Sculpture Lantern.

Bor Sang Umbrella Festival
15-17 January, Bor Sang village, Chiang Mai
Observe the refined tradition of umbrella making in a sleepy village that’s been producing beautiful parasols for over 100 years.

Wangnamkeow Floral Fantasia
20–22 January, Nakhon Ratchasima
This magnificent tapestry of floral art is created from more than 200,000 potted plants and flower beds covering an area of 10 hectares and set against a picturesque valley backdrop.

Nakhon Pathom Food Fair
23–29 January, Nakhon Pathom
In one convenient stop visitors will be able to conveniently 'sample' a vast selection of delicious dishes prepared by 50 of the province's famous restaurants and food stalls.

Phimai Festival
28 January, Phimai Historical Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
A dance drama and light-and-sound presentation called "Wimaya Nattakan" will take place. The cultural presentation depicts the past glory of ancient Phimai and the Khmer empire.

Khon Kaen International Marathon
29 January, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Take part in scenically stunning 42km marathon, 21km half-marathon, 11.5km mini-marathon or 4.5km fun run past the city’s key attractions.

The River of Kings Festival
Jan 31 – Feb 9, Ratchaworadit Pier, Bangkok
This is a spectacular light-and-sound extravaganza in a grand theatrical production with a cast of more than 700 actors and actresses and two live elephants, depicting the history of Thailand

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Fair
Until 14 March, Chaing Mai
Activities are divided into three parts, which are exhibitions about agriculture and the royal agricultural projects, national and international agricultural conferences and plant contests.