Thailand Holidays

[BKK Dreaming]

here is a list for 2011

http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/...011&country=68

[Lord Farquard]

Things should be back to normal, only a one day closure. A number of government offices take 4 days off, so the FL pool may dry up as they go home for the long weekend.

[Daddy07]

Today is a holiday, and it seems all venues are closed. What about tomorrow (Friday), and through the weekend? In Pattaya, in Bangkok, and in normal Thailand?

Today is the Queen's birthday as well as Mother's Day.

I expect things will be back to normal in Pattaya tomorrow and the rest of the weekend.

[Opebo]

Today is a holiday, and it seems all venues are closed. What about tomorrow (Friday), and through the weekend? In Pattaya, in Bangkok, and in normal Thailand?

[Lost Dude]

I would assume the country (and more importantly the beer bars and gogos) is running normally around CNY, right? I live in China and am looking to head down to Pattaya for CNY as I can't stand being here during that time of year. The country comes to a stand still as everyone heads home and oh, the fireworks day and night and day and night and.

[Lord Farquard]

August 12 is the Queen's birthday, numerous places will be closed. The venues in the tourist locations may be open, but most of the places out of the "big cities" will be closed.

YMMV

[Goyave]

Thailand Public Holidays (with a short explanation): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_...ys_in_Thailand

Bank and Public Holidays (year 2010) in Thailand: http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays_2010_174.htm

[Belmont]

I was In Pattaya May 31 and it was a buddhist holiday.
All the Go-Go's were closed. Few(10%) beer bars open, lights out, no music, and girls behind the bar!
Beach road was packed w/street walkers-all the displaced girls from go gos and beer bars.

I corrected date from June 7 to May 31.
Thanks for PM and correction!
I'll leave post, so you'll know how it is on thai holiday.

[Giotto]

Holiday schedule for the year 2007:

1. Monday 1 January New Year's Day
2. Tuesday 2 January Substitution New Year's Day
3. Monday 5 March Substitution Makha Bucha Day
4. Friday 6 April Chakri Day
5. Friday 13 April Song Kran Festival Day
6. Monday 16 April Substitution Song Kran Festival Day
7. Tuesday 1 May National Labour Day
8. Monday 7 May Substitution Coronation Day
9. Thursday 31 May Visakha Bucha DAy
10. Monday 13 August Substitution H.M.The Queen's Birthday
11. Tuesday 23 October Chulalongkorn Day
12. Wednesday 5 December H.M.The King's Birthday
13. Monday 31 December End of Year's Day


Giotto

[Horatio]

If you use the calender on google there is an option that can be chosen which list all the holidays in Thailand. There are options for the holdiays in other countries as well. You can turn these options on and off with a quick click, so the calender is not too cluttered.

[JPF]

the following is a mirror of a site that the fbi put up to find sex tourists looking for **** sex partners.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/wickedadventurestravel/

there is virtually nothing on the site about sex, though, and any of us might have been taken in. after reading the story at

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0511061web1.html

i did see that on the information form there is a question about the age of the sex partner in which you are interested and it includes primarily **** categories. also, the meta tags are supposed to include words that would cause hits if one was searching for **** partners.

yet another thing to be cautious about.

[Pool Guy]

Any good holidays in the first week of June?

Thanks,

Pool Guy

[ThaiVisitor]

come mid-april, as the sun produces heat waves that may be unbearable for some, thailand explodes into a gigantic water-throwing extravaganza as the country cut loose their tradition of politeness and minding their own businesses. this is the time where it is just impossible to walk down a street without getting doused by a pail of ice-cold water or a high-tech colorful squirt gun. or even having your face dusted down with baby powder.

welcome to songkran!

http://www.***********.org/thaigalle.../songkran1.jpg

"songkran" is a word from the sanskrit language which means to "move into" and refers to the orbit of the sun moving into aries. it marks the end of a 12-month cycle and the beginning of a new solar year. songkran is therefore the thai new year celebrations.

this traditional thai custom of merry-making is the kingdom's most 'sanuk' (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nation-wide, once a year. in most parts of the country, songkran extends over a period of 3 days.

known the world-over for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water-cannon delivered in a festive spirit. without a doubt, on the practical side, songkran is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year. there is a however a much deeper significance to "songkran".

apart from marking a new beginning, songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. it is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well-being. songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties are renewed.

at the heart of each thai custom and tradition, there is always a logical reason for its existence. the festive elements of the celebration, the cultural values, the social code of conduct and individual belief and practices are intertwined. songkran embodies the traditional thai cultural values.

the underlying significance of songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the new year afresh with all that is good and pure. water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

some advice

http://www.***********.org/thaigalle.../songkran2.jpg

if you get involved in the water splashing, remember that older people are exempted as a mark of respect.

should you wish to splash a policeman, do it with respect. approach the policeman in a non-confrontational manner, “wai” him, and then slowly pour a little water on his back. remember to “wai” him when you have finished. do not get carried away and “splash” large amount of water at the policeman.

if you want to splash anyone on a vehicle especially those riding a motorcycle, wave at the vehicle to slow them down before splashing them. do not splash at fast moving vehicles especially at the faces or eyes.

if you are driving or riding a motorcycle, slow down whenever you see anyone with a pail or water gun ready to splash you. do not try to avoid them especially by speeding away.

take it all in your stride. maybe you didn't realize that you were going to be in thailand at this time, and hadn't planned on getting soaked. well. no amount of getting annoyed is going to change that -- it's their country and their most important festival and the thais are going to enjoy it. put on your worst clothes (or buy some cheap ones) and get into it. you're on holiday -- forget everything, look, learn new things, and just have fun. you might just find yourself feeling cleansed.

cheers
tee vee

[ThaiVisitor]

Visit Kanchanaburi year 2006
1 January - 31 December
Kanchanaburi

Thai Kite, Sports and Music Festival
1 March - 2 April
Sanam Luang,
Bangkok

March marks the beginning of the kite flying seasons in Thailand. The event features numerous traditional sports conpetitions and folk music performance.

Songkran Festival: Bangkok
8 - 16 April
Khao San Road, Banglumpoo, Sanam Luang, Suan Santichai Prakan, and Temples in Ratanakosin Island in Bangkok.

This traditional Thai custom of merry-making is the Kingdom's most 'sanuk' (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nation-wide, once a year. In most parts of the country, Songkran extends over a period of 3 days.

Songkran Festival (Nong Khai Province)
6-18 April
Wat Pho Chai temple and Hat Chomani beach near the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge that spans the Mekong River

With the neighbouring country of Lao PDR on the opposite bank of the Mekong River, Songkran celebrations in the northeastern province of Nong Khai is a combined Thai-Lao Songkran festival, with rituals, cultural performances, folk games and cuisine, reflecting a shared heritage.

Dok Khun Siang Khean Songkran Festival 2006
8-15 April
Bung Kaen Nakhon and Khao Neow Road,
Khon Kaen Province

The rest of the Grand Songkran holidays are filled with festive fun with hours of friendly water- splashing, Miss Songkran beauty pageants and a variety of uptempo traditional Northeastern folk entertainment.

Hat Yai Songkran Festival: Midnight Songkran
(12-16 April
Hat Yai District,
Songkhla

"Songkran" is a word from the Sanskrit language which means to "move into" and refers to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries.

Songkran Festival (Nakhon Si Thammarat Province)
11-15 April
Phra Isuan and Phra Narai Hall on Ratchadamnern Road,
Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Nakhon Si Thammarat has been a centre for Buddhism and culture in Southern Thailand since ancient times.

Sukhothai Songkran Festival
11-15 April
Sawankalok District,
Sukhothai Province

Chiangmai Songkran Festival 2006
11-15 April
Throughout Chiangmai city

Ayutthaya Songkran Festival
13-15 April
Throughout Ayutthaya city

Pattaya Songkran Festival
18-19 April
Pattaya City,
Chonburi Province

Songkran Festival in Phra Pradaeng (Samut Prakarn Province) and Thai Raman Flag Ceremony
21-23 April
Phra Pradaeng District,
Samut Prakan Province

The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival differs from others in that it is held a little later than in most other locales.

Chiang Mai Arts and Culture Festival
1-9 April
Throughout Chiang Mai city,
Chiang Mai province

Chiang Mai has been the home of Thai artisans and the kingdom's centre of art and crafts for centuries.

2nd Bangkok International Soccer 7s Tournament
22-23 April
Patana School,
Bangkok

Thailand Soccer 7s tournaments have quickly developed a reputation as being among the best of its kind in Asia with professional organization and the quality of teams participating.

Khao Phanom Rung Festival
April 1 - 2,
Phanom Rung Historical Park,
Chalermphrakiat district,
Buri Ram province

In Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, mountains are believed to be homes to the gods.

Cheers
Tee Vee

[ThaiVisitor]

I apologise for not posting March Festivals and Events as I was totally engrossed in other matters that I forgot about it.

Anyway, I will just highlight what the events were and go on to the next post for April's Events.

The 9th Annual Kalasin Prae Wa Silk Festival
26 February - 6 March
The municipal office,
Muang District,
Kalasin Province

Pattaya International Music Festival 2006

17 - 19 March
Pattaya Beach,
Chonburi

Thai Kite, Sports and Music Festival
1 March - 2 April
Sanam Luang,
Bangkok

21st ASEAN Zebra Dove Cooing Contest
4 - 5 March
Suan Khwan Muang Park and Rong Phithi Chang Phueak (White Elephant Ceremony) Pavilion
Amphoe Muang,
Yala

Mekong River International Multi - Sport ITU/ASTC Asian Cup 2006
23 - 26 March
Muang District,
Mukdaharn Province

The 9th Thailand International Kite Festival
March 11-12
Rama VI Camp,
Cha-Am,
Phetburi province

Cheers
Tee Vee