Festivals that attract international visitors

       Throughout the year, Thailand has a great variety of festivals and traditions that all attract tourists, thanks to the beauty of cultural, religious, and merry-making festivals. It can be said that when coming to Thailand, you can sample all kinds of flavors.

       Let’s start with the Songkran Festival, or Thai New Year's Day, which is held between 13 and 15 April of every year. Besides the celebration, it is also Family Day and Elderly Day. The rituals and activities during Songkran are as follows: Offering food to monks and listening to sermons in the morning; then it is time to politely sprinkle water and powder on one another, as well as a water pouring ceremony for the elders in the family. Songkran water-play locations that are popular among tourists and locals include Siam Square and Khao San Road in Bangkok, as well as Chiang Mai Province and Khon Kaen Province.

       The Loi Krathong Festival is held on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, which is the day of the full moon, when water's high in the rivers. This tradition is held to ask for forgiveness from Phra Mae Khongkha, the river goddess, by making krathong, a small float, from various materials such as sections of banana tree trunks, together with flowers, joss sticks, and candles; they are put in a krathong and floated down the river in the evening to apologize to the goddess. This tradition is favored by foreign tourists because of its cultural inclusions, the beauty of crafting the krathong, and the atmosphere of the event, with the candles lighting up the rivers. Some locations provide both traditional Thai food and games. Popular places for Loy Krathong activities are Phu Khao Thong Fair, Wat Saket Ratchawora Mahawiharn, Rama VIII Bridge, Sukhothai Candle Burning Festival, and 1,000 Lantern Loi Krathong Festival in Tak Province.

       The Phi Ta Khon Festival is held annually in Dan Sai District, Loei Province, originally called Phi Tam Khon. The festival was influenced by the story of Gautama Buddha in his previous incarnation as Vessantara. Near the end of the story, when Vessantara and his wife Phra Nang Matsee were leaving the forest to return to the capital, where he would become king, all the wild animals, including the ghosts living in the forest, came out in mourning, because they would miss his presence among them. The highlight of the Phi Ta Khon Festival is still the Phi Ta Khon costumes and masks, which are cut and painted creatively. The dancing to the rhythm of the music and the Phi Ta Khon parade also create excitement for tourists and even Thais who have seen it their whole lives.

       The Naga Fireball Festival is a phenomenon that occurs in the middle of the Mekong River, which can be seen from both the Thailand and Laos sides. The fireballs look like glowing lights rising up into the sky, which is an exciting sight for visitors. This phenomenon occurs during the end of Buddhist Lent, or the 15th day of the 11th lunar month of every year. It can be seen from many locations along the Mekong River, such as Phon Phisai District, Rattanawapi District, Si Chiang Mai District, and Sangkhom District in Nong Khai Province, and in Pak Khad District, Bueng Kan Province. There is also a Thai traditional long-boat race on the Mekong River that creates both laughter and smiles for participants and visitors. 

       There are many other festivals and traditions in Thailand that are as diverse and fun as in any other country, so just come and experience them yourself.

Source : adotrip