Every year, Thailand hosts numerous festivals and events. Some of these are unique to certain towns or provinces whilst others are celebrated nationwide. This is by no means a complete list because there are so many obscure local festivals, fairs and events to be found in Thailand. However, I’ve listed below details for some of the most well-known and popular festivals and events in Thailand for 2011. Some event dates have yet to be confirmed and others may be subject to change. Please note that the events listed here are not public holidays unless stated.
View all Thailand public and bank holidays for 2011 »
Thailand festivals and events for 2012 »
until February 28 – Hat Yai International Lantern Festival.
until February 28 – Flower Festival at Wang Nam Keow district, Nakhon Ratchasima.
January 7-9 – Royal Trophy Golf Tournament at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin. Asia take on Europe.
January 8 – Children’s Day is celebrated nationwide with events held at schools and in the local community.
January 21-23 – Bo Sang Umbrella Festival and San Kamphaeng Handicraft Festival, Chiang Mai.
January 27-February 8 – Chinese New Year Celebrations held at various locations throughout Thailand including Bangkok, Phuket, Trang and Chiang Mai.
February 3 – Chinese Lunar New Year.
February 4-6 – Chiang Mai Flower Festival.
February 6-13 – Pattaya International Tennis PTT Open.
February 12-March 6 – Hua Hin Balloon Festival .
February 13-15 – Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony at Pak Meng Beach, Trang.
February 14 – Lanna style wedding on elephants at the Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang.
February 18 – Makha Bucha Day (public holiday).
February 25-26 – Phuket International Blues Rock Festival.
February to mid-April – Kite flying at various locations in Thailand including Sanam Luang in Bangkok.
March 10-17 – Thai Martial Arts Festival and Wai Khru Ceremony for National Muay Thai Day in Ayutthaya.
March – Pattaya International Music Festival.
March-April – King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai.
April 6 – Chakri Day (public holiday).
April 13-15 – Songkran New Year Water Festival celebrated throughout Thailand (public holiday).
April – Poy Sang Long Festival in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Province.
April – Krabi International Rock and Fire Contest at Railay Beach and Ton Sai Beach, Krabi.
May 1 – Labour Day (public holiday).
May 1 – Jumbo Elephant Banquet at Samphran Zoo, Nakhon Pathom province.
May 5 – Coronation Day (public holiday).
May 13 – Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.
May 11-15 – Isaan Rocket Festivals.
May 17 – Visakha Bucha Day (public holiday).
May 30-June 4 – Ko Samui International Yacht Regatta.
May (end of May or beginning of June) – Chiang Mai Inthakin Festival.
June-August – Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2011 at locations nationwide including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket.
June 1–Aug 31 – Siam Tulip Festival in Chaiyapum.
June 10-12 – Hua Hin Jazz Festival.
June 24-26 – Ghosts and Spirits Festival in Loei.
July 1-31 – Candle Festival and International Wax Sculpture Show, Ubon Ratchathani.
July 15 – Asahna Bucha Day (public holiday).
July 17 – Pattaya International Marathon.
August 12 – Various events held throughout Thailand to mark H.M. Queen’s Birthday (public holiday).
Various locations in Thailand hold traditional long boat racing in September and October. These include:
September 3-4 – Phichit (Nan River);
September 10-11 – Phitsanulok (Nan River);
September 16-17 – Ayutthaya (Chao Phraya River).
September 27-October 4 – Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Vegetarian Festivals are also held in other locations in Thailand including Krabi and Chiang Mai, but Phuket is the most famous.
October 4-12 – Illuminated Boat Procession on the Mekong River, Nakhon Phanom
October 11-12 – Buffalo racing in Chonburi.
October 11-12 – Naga Fireballs at Pon Pisai District. Nong Khai.
October 23 (Sunday) – Chulalongkorn Day (public holiday).
October 24 (Monday) – substitution public holiday for Chulalongkorn Day.
November 1-December 5 – Wild sunflowers in bloom on Doi Mae Ukor, Mae Hong Son.
November 5-10 – Yi Peng Festival & Loy Krathong, Chiang Mai
November 9-10 – Loy Krathong Festival of Lights celebrated throughout Thailand.
November 10-13 – Phimai Festival
November 19-20 – Surin Elephant Round-Up.
November – Wat Saket Temple Fair near the Golden Mount in Bangkok.
November (last week of November until first week of December) – Bridge Over the River Kwai Light and Sound Festival, Kanchanaburi.
November 27 – Monkey Banquet in Lopburi.
November 29-December 10 – Khon Kaen Silk Festival.
November – Bangkok International Marathon.
December – Trooping the Colour, Bangkok
December 5 – Various events held throughout Thailand to mark H.M. the King of Thailand’s Birthday (public holiday).
December 10 – Constitution Day (public holiday).
December 13-19 – Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair with Light and Sound Show.
December – Phuket Street Show Festival.
December – King’s Cup International Yachting Regatta, Phuket.
December 31 – New Year Countdown at various locations in Thailand with musical concerts and firework displays (public holiday).
photos © thaizer.com
