Page 67 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

Festivals ❮❮ 65

Loy Krathong
7 TOP 10 UP-COUNTRY FESTIVALS
Citywide • Nov
This festival, usually held in
November, offers homage to the
goddess of the waters for providing
a successful harvest. Beautiful
krathong (small decorated floats)
are released onto the river at night
while fireworks light up the sky.
Wat Saket Fair
8
Golden Mount • Nov
Temple fairs in Thailand are like Spirit costumes at Phi Ta Khon
village fêtes in the West, and this one
at Wat Saket and the Golden Mount 1 Chiang Mai Flower Festival
(see p70), held just before or after Loy First weekend, Feb
Krathong, is a good example. It has A parade of marching bands precedes
floats bedecked with flowers.
a great atmosphere, with music,
theater and lots of kids having fun. 2 ASEAN Barred Ground
Dove Festival
First week, Mar
This dove-singing contest attracts
competitors from far and wide to Yala.
3 Pattaya Music Festival
Mar
Thai musicians and international acts
play in a wide variety of styles.
4 Poy Sang Long
First weekend, Apr
A Shan festival held in Chiang Mai and
Mae Hong Son in which ordaining
novices are paraded round the streets.
5 Rocket Festival
May
In the northeast, especially Yasothon,
home-made rockets are fired to trigger
Performers at Wat Saket fair the start of the monsoons.
Bangkok World
9 6 Hua Hin Jazz Festival
Jun
Film Festival
This beach festival attracts big names.
www.worldfilmbkk.com • Jan 7 Phi Ta Khon
Held each year, usually in January, Jun/Jul
this film festival showcases over 100 Locals in Dan Sai dress as spirits for this
films from all around the world, with wild and color ful event in Loei province.
a particular emphasis on emerging 8 Phuket Vegetarian Festival
film-makers through out Asia. Oct
Bizarre acts of self-mortification draw
King Bhumibol’s Birthday
0 in the crowds for nine days.
Citywide • Dec
Celebrated on December 5, this is 9 Lanna Boat Races
Oct/Nov
both a national holiday and Fathers’ At the end of the Buddhist Lent; the
Day, Thais have long celebrated most exciting are in Nan Province.
the birthday of Rama IX, who died in 10 Elephant Round-Up
late 2016. It’s possible that this will Nov
remain on the calendar, with the new Surin, in the northeast, is the venue
king Vajiralongkorn’s birthday on July for this pachyderm extravaganza.
28 added as a further holiday.

064-065_Top_10_Bangkok.indd 65 22/05/2017 12:13