Bangkok Festivals & Events

Major Events
Besides nationally celebrated events on public holidays, including Buddhist holy days, Bangkok hosts a number of important annual events.

Thailand celebrates the Western New Year as well. On 31st December, there are the Bangkok countdown celebrations at several major sites: Sanam Luang, Central World Plaza, Rama VIII Bridge, and the National Stadium.

Buddhist merit-making in the morning and evening folk entertainment take place on 1st January.

The traditional Thai New Year is an occasion for merriment all over the city, but most notably at Sanam Luang, near the Grand Palace, where the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing image is displayed and bathed by devotees. In the Wisutkasat area, a Miss Songkran beauty contest is held and accompanied by merit-making and entertainment. Khao San Road, Bang Lamphu area is also one of the high-spots in the city to experience the water-throwing activities between locals and tourists.

Venue
The Royal Ground (Sanam Luang) and around Rattanakosin Island

• Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions (southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat Phra Kaeo)
  11.00-23.00 hrs.: Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions.
  18.00-23.00 hrs.: Light and sound show, "The History of Songkran", cultural shows and various forms of entertainment.
• Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island. Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho), Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram , Wat Rakung, Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng), and Wat Kalayanamitr. Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given.
• Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun
• Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat. The Songkran Festival at the southern section of Sanam Luang will be the central point of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) between 8-15 April, 2007, 11.00-23.00 hrs. There will be an opening ceremony on 8 April at 18.00 hrs, and at the northern part of Sanam Luang will be the central point of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing image will take place in the centre of Sanam Luang.

Activities at Songkran 4 Region Area

• Memorial Chime Tower of the Songkran Festival from the old days, receiving holy water from 4 leading temples of Thailand.
• Listen to the Songkran Festival of the 4 regions through Hologram techniques.
• Traditional food demonstration, handicrafts, and rarely seen games and performances from the 4 regions.
• Throwing water around Sanam Luang.

Celebrating the Songkran Festival around Rattanakosin Island.

• Paying respect to 9 royal temples during April 7th to 16th , 2007, from 08.30 hrs.-17.00 hrs.
• Fun filled splashing around Khao San Road, during April 12th to 16th , 2007.
• Joining Songkran at Visutkasat Banglampu, Phra Arthit Road and Santi Chaiprakarn Park during April 12th April 14th ,2007.

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world?s longest reigning monarch is well beloved and deeply respected by all Thais of old and young. The occasion of his royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country, buildings and homes are elaborated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated.

To display their loyalty and to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are bedecked with coloured lights and magnificent adornments.

An ancient Brahman ritual, conducted at Sanam Luang, in which farmers believe is able to forecast the abundance of the next rice crop. The event is a result of a series of ceremonies that are conducted by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives who wears colourful traditional costumes. This ceremony was re-introduced in 1960 by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is considered the official commencement of the rice-growing season.

Their majesties the King and Queen preside over this impressive annual event, held in the Royal Plaza near the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Dressed in colourful uniforms, amid much pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the Royal Family.

Celebrated every 23rd October around the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn (1860 - 1910), this ceremony honours the king who abolished slavery, saved the country from colonisation, and modernised the country.

This most charming of all Thai celebrations takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month which usually falls in November. Celebrants place joss sticks, coins, candles, betel and flowers in a lotus-shaped receptacle or Krathong. Then the candles and joss sticks are lit and the Krathong is launched at the waterside, while the owners watch anxiously in the hope that the candle light will not fade away. The flame means fulfillment of dreams and a long life. Along the riverside, visitors can buy ready-made, cheap Krathong and join in the festivities. On the water, a thousand twinkling lights bob up and down, representing people’s hopes and dreams. This celebration is a delight for all the family and should not be missed.

Celebrated on 3rd December, the elite Royal Guards swear their allegiance to their monarch in a colourful ceremony in the Royal Plaza.