Unseen Thailand

1st : New Year's Day .To greet the New Year, a range of uniquely Thai traditional and cultural festivities are held in various parts of the country. As day breaks on the first day of the new year the “welcome the dawn” takes place, the Buddhist merit-making ritual, which is followed by giving alms to the Monks.

National Labour Day is on 1st May.

Wisaka Boocha , usually in May, is the holiest Buddhist day, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. All over the country, people go to temples to listen to sermons by revered monks and make merit. Shortly after sunset, candlelit circumambulations take place around major temples.

July

In July or August, the Asan Boocha observance, honors the Buddha's first sermon over 2,500 years ago. The full-moon day of the eighth lunar month marks the preaching of Lord Buddha's first sermon to his first five disciples after attaining Enlightenment. In the evening, candlelit processions take place in Buddhist temples around the country.

August

Around this time is Khao Phansa , which is the beginning of the Buddhist Rains Retreat (sometimes called Buddhist Lent), during which monks must remain in their temple-monasteries for the three-month period.

H.M. Queen Sirikit's Birthday Celebration (Mother's Day) , To display their loyalty and to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are bedecked with coloured lights and magnificent adornments.s on 12 August. It is bank holiday in Thailand. Many celebrations in temples. Main celebrations in Bangkok in front of the palace.

October

Chulalongkorn Day , 23 October, honors one of Thailand's most revered kings, Rama V.

The end of the Rains Retreat, Ok Phansa in October, is not an official holiday, though there are observances held nationwide.

November

Loy Krathong (full moon festival) is a very special Thai celebration in early November. Everybody float (lawy) banana-leaf (gr?'tong') boats bearing flowers, incense, a candle, and a coin, on lakes and rivers throughout the nation. This results in probably the most beautiful sight you can ever see in Asia or maybe in the World! Many believe their “sins” of the past are floated away. This lovely traditional festival is not an official holiday.

December

The 5th of December is the King's Birthday Celebrations (Father's Day) . King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, is well beloved and deeply respected by all Thais old and young. The occasion of his royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country. buildings and homes are elaborately decorated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated.

On 10 December Constitution Day marks the foundation of the Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand. This event took place during the reign of King Rama VII (King Prajadhipok) in 1932. Before that Thailand was an Absolute Monarchy, with all power belonging to the King. Constitution Day is a day on which the Thai people express their gratitude to the King.

There are also the traditional Western celebrations for Christmas , closely followed by New Year's Eve and our Gala Dinner, conducted outside under the stars.