Festivals

Major Thai Festivals

Songkran (สงกรานต์) — Thai New Year

April 13-15

The world's biggest water fight! Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year. People splash water on each other as a symbol of washing away bad luck.

• Water symbolizes cleansing and renewal
• Younger people pour scented water over elders' hands
• Temple visits and merit-making in the morning

Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง)

November (full moon)

Thais release decorated floating baskets (กระทง, grà-tong) onto rivers to pay respect to the water goddess.

• Baskets contain flowers, candles, and incense
• Making a wish as you release your krathong
• Yi Peng in Chiang Mai adds sky lanterns

Makha Bucha (มาฆบูชา)

February (full moon)

A Buddhist holiday commemorating when 1,250 monks gathered spontaneously to hear Buddha teach.

Visakha Bucha (วิสาขบูชา)

May (full moon)

The most important Buddhist holiday: Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death all on the same calendar date.

Key Vocabulary

• เทศกาล (têt-sà-gaan) — festival
• วันหยุด (wan yùt) — holiday
• ทำบุญ (tam bun) — make merit