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! 

Events & Festivals - November

Golden Mount Fair

Date TBC, Wat Saket, Bangkok, central Thailand

Worshippers come from all over the world and merrymaking abounds at this Buddhist monastery where a candlelit procession ascends to the peak on the night of the full moon.

Bangkok International Wine Fair

Date TBC, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, central Thailand

Spicy, fruity, tangy wine flavours from around the world dance on your tongue at this fab fair. Small and boutique wine producers connect with distributors in Thailand and South-East Asia.

Nan Traditional Long Boat Races

Date TBC, Nan Province, north Thailand

The competition has boats of small, medium and large categories with a cheer squad competition, Thai food contest, arts ’n’ crafts fair and OTOP products sale.

Bloomin Bua Tong Festival

1 Nov – 5 Dec, Mae Hong Son, north Thailand

Feel the cool breeze of wintertime while appreciating the natural beauty of the enchanting bua tong, or Mexican sunflower. Camp in a field alongside the beautiful bloom.

Loy Krathong Festival

10 Nov, nationwide

Loy Krathong is a festival occurring on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. Loy means "to float" and a krathong is a small, hand-made boat or raft set adrift on water with a wish.

Phimai Festival

10 – 13 Nov, Nakhon Ratchasima, north-east Thailand

The event will include a light and sound presentation, river dances, traditional long boat races, art presentations, cultural performances and local food competitions.

Trio for Justice

13 Nov, Sankampeang, Chiang Mai, north Thailand

Choose from a half-marathon, 10K run and 5K walk through stunning rural Thai scenery. Proceeds go to Burmese and northern ethnic minority school children.

Yara Bangkok Challenge

13 Nov, Bangkok Fishing Park, central Thailand

Teams of two cycle, run, kayak and swim past paddy fields, lakes, canals, temples and farmland. There are different levels of competition, with categories for men, women, seniors and mixed.

Surin Elephant Roundup

19-20 Nov, Surin Province, north-east Thailand

To commemorate both the importance of the Thai elephant and the local peoples’ close relationship with them, the Surin Roundup has been held annually since 1960.

Phuket International Soccer 7s

26 – 27 Nov, Phuket, central Thailand

The largest tournament of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, the 7s will see four tournaments, comprising 80 teams from 17 countries taking part.

Bangkok Marathon

27 Nov, Bangkok, central Thailand

The historic run is divided into four sections: marathon (42.195 km), wheelchair marathon (42.195 km); mini-marathon (10.5 km); walk and run for good health marathon (5 km).

Laguna Phuket Triathlon

27 Nov, Phuket, south Thailand

Competitors tackle a gruelling 1.8km swim, 55km bike race and 12km run through the tropical landscape. There is also a 6km fun run for a more relaxed challenge.

Top Ten Thai Beaches & Islands

Known the world over for sun and fun, Thailand’s beaches (‘ao’) come in two varieties: the high-end beach resort and the rustic ‘village’ island (‘ko’), a distinction that has blurred towards the upmarket. Regardless, each burns bright in traveller lore, enticing visitors to come on beach-hopping binges.

1) Ko Phi-Phi

Phi-Phi is heartbreakingly beautiful, with flowing ribbons of cerulean sea massaging the craggy forested cliffs of the twin islands. It’s a famous resort playground for the well-to-do but backpackers can sneak into a few budget crevices.

2) Phuket

A city by the sea, Phuket pioneered Thailand’s position in sun-worshipping circles. The island has all the mod-cons (an airport and bridge connections) for time-crunched travellers seeking 21^st-centry rest and recreation.

3) Ko Samui

Eager to please, Samui is a civilised beach-resort island for the vacationing masses, who can fly in and out with hardly a care for cultural adaption. But beyond the Chaweng crowds are sleepy spots reminiscent of Samui’s old moniker, ‘Coconut Island’.

 4) Ko Pha-Ngan

Be a hammock hanger at this bohemian beach retreat that’s still far away enough from modern towers to be idyllic. In one corner are the sloppy Full Moon parties, while the rest of the island remains peaceful and drowsy from sun-soaked days.

5) Ko Adang

Deep in southern reaches of the Andaman, this small island is known by most as merely a snorkelling spot, but wilderness seekers can pitch a tent or rent a longhouse to commune with nature.

 6) Ko Tao

The dive-master’s island, Ko Tao is the cheapest spot around to strap on a tank and explore the deep. Little ‘Turley Island’ doesn’t have star-power sand but it does have scenic rocky coves filled with brightly coloured fish.

7) Krabi

Sand and seas re not Krabi’s claim to fame. The limestone mountains that protrude out of the ocean are all the bait this coastal peninsula needs for novice and veteran rock climbers looking for a vertical scramble with stunning views.

 8) Ko Lanta

The west coast of Lanta is a long expanse of sand once famous for its sleepy, hippie demeanour, now a rarity amongst the Andaman beaches. Times and tides have washed ashore a party scene but quite spots can still be found.

9) Khao Lak

One of the few mainland beaches, Khao Lak survived a beating from the 2004 tsunami and has since recovered its favoured reputation amongst accomplished divers. Popular live-aboards set off for the famous Suring and Similian dive sites.

 10) Suring & Similian Islands National Marine Parks

Explore above and below the water at these two Andaman reserves, famous for clear seas, whale sharks and coral gardens. Live-aboard trips set out from the mainland, giving their crews plenty of time to explore the far-flung islands.

*Special Mention: Ko Samet

A wonderful little bohemian beach located just a two-hour drive south-east of Bangkok, this quaint island is the closest to Bangkok and definitely worth a visit. Otherwise, head further east till Ko Chang and Ko Khud, they are also very nice but require five or more hours of driving each way. Ko Samet has great bungalows available for as little as Bht 500 and the whole island is permeated with a laid-back and casual vide. You can get there by direct speed boat or local ferry from the mainland (Ban Phe).