Thailand | Festivals
In Thailand, festivals are usually used to celebrate the seasons. Some festivals are held only in a particular region, while others are celebrated nation wide. Certain festivals are related to the Buddhist religion. There are celebrations at all times of year in Thailand. Two, which are very well known are the Songkran and Loi Kratong.
The Songkran festival is celebrated in April. In the morning, pictures of Buddha are bathed in basins of perfumed water. Later in the day, the young people wet each other with water. You don't hear anybody complaining of being made wet. In Bangkok, the celebration can last one or two days, but in the villages, especially in the North, Songkran can last a whole week.
Loi Kratong is celebrated at full moon in November. In the night of Loi Kratong, people of all ages go down to the rivers to where there is streaming water on which a Kratong can be swept down. This is a floating basket made of coloured banana leaves and containing a candle and incense and which serves the purpose of instilling awe and respect in the Thai people for the water, to which they owe so much.
The birth, the enlightenment and Nirvana of Buddha are celebrated on the day of Visakha Bucha, the first day of full moon in April-May. Around July/August, there is another important feast day, Khao Phansa, This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist retreat of the rainy season. During this retreat time, the monks do not leave their monasteries. They use their time for study and meditation. Three months later, with the arrival of the cool, dry weather they end their retreat. This is, by the way, the most suitable time for markets and ceremonies, especially the offering of new robes to the monks. This joyous celebration is called Kathun. All these festivals are celebrated nationwide.
Certain parts of Thailand have their own special festivals. Surin, the north-eastern province, celebrates its biggest festival in September: the festival of the elephants. Hundreds of elephants are gathered together to take part in the procession. The different breeds are compared in order to determine which are the strongest elephants. Wild elephants are also caught.
Thai people are friendly. Thais have the tendency to smile and behind each smile, there seems to be another smile, and another and yet another. Thai people also take pleasure in welcoming visitors.
Thailand is a pleasurable country to live in. This is not easily forgotten once the charm and beauty of the people and country have been experienced.