Thai Calendar

    Resource Link :  http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Festive.html

 

    In 1940, Thailand moved its New Year’s Day from April 13th to January 1st. The old New Year is still a holiday called Songkran. Years are counted as the Buddhist era (B.E.) which started 543 years earlier than the Christian, era, therefore 2002 AD is the year 2545 BE

 

New Years Day Jan 1st
  In Thailand there are three New Year’s days. The Western, on Jan 1st, the Chinese New Year on the first day of the First Lunar month, usually in February and the Thai New Year marked by the Songkhran festival in April. Thais usually exchange gifts on January 1st.

Phra BuddhaBahtFair
    Held at the temple of the Holy Footprint at Saraburi, 236Km north of Bangkok, from 31st January to 1st February. Many activities including music and outdoor drama.

Bosang Umbrella Fair
    Held in Chiang Mai during January, it features colourful paper umbrellas and other local handicrafts.

Chinese New Year 
    1st day of the first Chinese Lunar month, usually in February. Businesses close for 3-4 days giving families time to get together and worship at one of the Chinese Buddhist temples. There may also be public celebrations with acrobats, Lion Dance and firecrackers. The latter are believed to frighten away “foreign devils”.

Flower Carnival 
    Held in Chiang Mai during February it features parades and colourful floats exhibiting the local flora.

Makha Bucha Day 
    End of February/beginning of March, depending on the moon. This commemorates the day when 1250 of Buddha’s disciples gathered spontaneously to hear him preach. Buddhists visit Wats and make merit by such acts as releasing caged birds. In the evening the celebrations culminate in a candle lit procession around the main temple building.

Chakri Day 6th April 
    Commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty, of which the present King Bhumipon is the 9th King. Portraits of the King and Queen are prominently displayed and decked with tributes of flowers.

Songkhran 13-15th April
    This is the celebration of the old Thai New Year. Buddhists visit the temple for the ceremony of Rod Nam Dam Nua. They sprinkle water on the Buddha images, and on the hands of the monks and novices at the temple, as an offering to express confidence that the supply of water will be adequate to cover the dry season.
    Songkhran is a time when the Thai family will try to be together, and many people will travel back to their home village.
    This holiday has now become secularized, with exuberant merrymakers taking to the streets throwing water at each other, and you, by the cup full, the bucket full, or even with a hose. To add to the fun, talc is mixed with the water and may be daubed on your face. Take it all in good spirit, no one is exempt, not even the policemen. The cool water may even be a welcome relief as the festival coincides with the time when the sun is due overhead and the weather can be very hot.

Pattaya Festival
    Held during the second week of April in Pattaya on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard. It features processions, floral displays, and other special events plus a spectacular fireworks display.

National Labour Day - 1st May 
    This holiday follows the lead of many western countries, whose workers now celebrate Labour Day.

Coronation Day - 5th May
    This celebrates the coronation of the present King Bhumipon, Rama IX. Tributes are paid at shrines and portraits of His Majesty.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony
    This is an ancient Brahman ceremony, held under Royal patronage in Bangkok during May, which celebrates the beginning of the rice planting season.
Fruit Fair
    A festival is held in Rayong during May and another in Chantaburi during June. They feature locally grown fruit such as rambutan, durian, and jack fruit.

Visakha Bucha Day - Full moon of the 6th Lunar Month. 
    This celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha, and is therefore the most sacred day on the Buddhist calendar.

Asalaha Bucha Day - Mid July 
    This is the day before the start of Buddhist Lent. Many young men, who are about to become monks, hold parties on this day.

Buddhist Lent - Mid July
    This marks the start of Khao Pansa, period similar to the Christian Lent. During the period monks do not travel to other monasteries, their religious duties are strictly observed, and the novice monks receive their training in the teachings of Buddha.

Candle Festival
    Held in Ubon Ratchatani on Khao Pansa Day. Candles carved from bees wax are paraded through the streets.

H.M. Queen’s Birthday - 12th August 
    Tributes are paid to Her Majesty, and donations are made to the many charitable organisations that are patronised by the Queen.

Chulalongkorn Day - 23rd October 
    This commemorates the death of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, who reigned between 1868 and 1910. He is renowned for his achievements in the fields of education, modernisation and progressive thinking.

Buffalo Races 
    Held in Chonburi (80Km east of Bangkok) during October.

Loy Krathong - Full Moon 12th Lunar month, November
    The festival is believed to date back to the Sukhothai period, but its exact significance is uncertain. Krathongs, or lotus flowers made of natural materials, containing a candle, incense sticks, a coin or two and beautifully decorated with flowers are launched into the sea, or any convenient stretch of water, as a thanksgiving to the water spirits, and a cleansing of sins.

River Kwai Bridge Week
    A week long series of historical exhibitions, light and sound shows, and vintage train rides held in Kanchanaburi during the last week of October.

Annual Elephant Roundup 
    Held during the third week of November at Surin in North East Thailand.

Trouping of the Colour - 3rd December 
    Their Majesties the King and Queen preside over this annual event which is held in the Royal Plaza, Bangkok.

H.M. King’s Birthday - 5th December
    People demonstrate their respect for King with flags, displays and other tributes.

Constitution Day - 10th December
    This marks the day in 1932, when the monarchy became constitutional, at the very beginning of democracy on Thailand.

New Year’s Eve - 31st December

Phuket, “Pearl of the South”  is Thailand’s largest and best known island. It has superb beaches, excellent facilities, and has long been a favourite destination of holiday makers from around the world. Koh Samui is rapidly catching up to Phuket in terms of accommodation and facilities.     The island is encircled by fine sandy beaches most of which have bungalows or hotels.      Those seeking a less developed resort should try: Koh Si Chang near Sri Racha, Chonburi Koh Samet near Rayong Koh Larn near Pattaya Koh Chang, Trat province Koh Phangan near Samui Koh Turatao in the south of Thailand. Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta not far from Krabi have some excellent white sand beaches and shallow water coral reefs. Excellent diving facilities can be found on the Similan   Islands

Koh Larn
    Koh Larn is one of several islands located off the coast of the popular resort of Pattaya. There is daily boat service. Accommodation is limited, and it is best to check with the boat operators before setting out.

      Koh Samet is a beautiful island full of scenic bays and gently shelving beaches of fine white sand. The most popular, Sai Kaeo and Wong Duan, have a good selection of accommodation from basic thatched cabins to good quality air conditioned rooms. The boat operators at Ban Phe will be able to advise about accommodation. The island has plenty of restaurants serving Thai food and the occasional western dish.

    Boats leave for Koh Samet from Ban Phe, 17 km east of Rayong. It is about 60 minutes drive from Pattaya. The normal boat trip to the island takes about 30 minutes and costs 120 Bahtper person return. Songthaews transport visitors from the jetty to beaches around Samet. If you want a faster ride, then speed boats are available and these can take you directly to the beach of your choice.

    Part of the island is a National Park and you will be charged a 200 Bahtadmission fee. Please honour the park by not leaving litter and not taking anything out, such as the coral.

Amari Emerald Cove Resort
88/8 Moo 4, Tambon Koh Chang, King Amphur, Koh Chang, Trat, 23120
Tel:+66 (0) 3955 1195
Fax +66 (0) 3955 1196
E-mail emeraldcove@amari.com

Koh Chang Cliff Beach
Luxury Resort on Koh Chang (Chang Island) Trad Province, Gulf of Thailand
Bookings: 118 Viphawadee Rangsit Road (Soi 2), Dindang, 10400, Bangkok
Tel: 02-277-5256 Fax: 02-692-0168
E-mail chairote@hotmail.com

Koh Chang Resort & Spa
Pack your bag now! Come and be a Koh Chang Islander with us before everyone does it.
Bookings : 118 Viphawadee Rangsit Rd. (Soi 2), Dindang, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 277 5256, Fax:+66 2 692 0094,
E-mail: rooksgroup@hotmail.com

 

Koh Phangan
    Koh Phangan is located 20km north of Koh Samui, and is surrounded by several smaller islands. The clear waters are home to an abundance of marine life and coral reefs. Several of the beaches have bungalows which provide comfortable accommodation. Boats and scuba diving equipment are available for hire.
During the monsoon period from October to January the island experiences strong easterly winds and is unsuitable for tourism.
Express boats leave from Ban Don near Surat Thani every morning and afternoon and take about 2½ hours to reach Phangan. Boats from Koh Samui  take about 40 minutes.

Koh Turatao
    Koh Turatao is part of a group of 51 islands in the Andaman sea which form a national marine park. The island has mountains, waterfalls, steep cliffs, and long white sand beaches. Several areas around Turatao are suitable for diving, and many have active coral reefs. Charake Cave can be reached by boat along the Malacca Canal.
    Accommodation is available at Ao Phante Malacca and Ao Son on Koh Turatao, and Laem Son on the nearby island of Koh Adang.
    Boats to Turatao leave from Pak Bara which is about 70km east of Had Yai and 150km south of Krabi.

Similan Islands
    This group of small islands can be reached by tour boat fromPhuket  or fishing boat from Thap Luma on the mainland. The islands are renowned for their underwater beauty and are rich in marine life and coral. Soft white sand beaches and a lush interior make the Similans an ideal retreat from the outside world. Best time to visit is late December to February when the climate is at it’s best and the water is clear.

Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi
    Koh Lanta National Park is a group of 10 islands located 80km south of Krabi. The islands have some excellent white sand beaches, the best located on Koh Lanta Yai, and several have shallow water coral reefs.
    The islands of Koh Phi Phi Le and Koh Phi Phi Don are 40km from Krabi and about the same distance from Phuket. They feature limestone cliffs surrounded by beautiful curved bays and emerald waters. The marine park is home to some perfect coral formations.
    Tour boats do not run to Koh Phi Phi during the south-west monsoon period from June to mid November.