THAI CELEBRATIONS :

  Throughout the year there are several one‑day national public holidays when government offices close. On many of these days, banks also close. If a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday banks will substitute Monday for the holiday. Large firms sometimes vary the actual date of their closures. Provided the workers receive the statutory number of days off, this is acceptable. Individual shopkeepers close occasionally for their own convenience. During the Chinese New Year period, the shops of Chinese families’ close and Hindus and Moslems may close for their Holy Days. The year in Pattaya is also punctuated by other festivals, which are not necessarily public holidays. Some are celebrated throughout Thailand whereas others are local affairs. A list of events, fruit fairs, charity events, sporting meetings etc is published monthly in The Bangkok Post. Because of the high proportion of foreigners in Pattaya, important national days for countries other than Thailand are celebrated in the churches and hotels. Appropriate food and decorations can be bought for such occasions as Independence Day and Thanksgiving. For Christmas, as well as turkeys and trimmings, cards can be bought in time for posting abroad. There are services in the Christian churches and the hotels step in and produce Christmas meals and entertainment. St. Valentine's Day is more popular among the Thais than in most western countries. Valentine cards and appropriate gifts are plentiful and the sellers of roses and silk flowers do a roaring trade.

  Pattaya is a favorite spot for holidaymakers from Bangkok to spend a day or two by the sea. At the beginning and end of a public holiday, the roads are therefore very crowded and this should be taken into account if you are planning a journey. If, during a public holiday period, you plan to visit other parts of Thailand, book your room in advance. The area that attracts you may also attract an influx of other visitors. The following is a list of the different Thai celebrations taking place in and around Pattaya throughout the year arranged in calendar order:

New Year's Day 1st January

  The old New Year in Thailand is in April but in 1940 the Western New Year was adopted to facilitate commerce with the rest of the world. In Pattaya, hotels lay on New Year activities but many people celebrate at home, possibly following a late night.   

Chinese New Year

  1st day, first Chinese Lunar Month usually in February ‑ Chinese form one of the largest ethnic groups in Thailand. Most families have been here for generations. They are an integral part of the community but keep their own traditions. New Year for them is mainly a family affair. Businesses close for three or four days, giving families a chance to get together and perhaps worship at one of the Chinese Buddhist temples. However, commercial interests and sanuk (fun) seekers are not going to let this opportunity slip by. Hotels in Pattaya lay on special Chinese buffets with entertainment, acrobats, the Lion Dance, and the obligatory fireworks. If you do not want to go to a hotel, you will find the Lion Dance is also performed in one or two of the well‑lit areas along Beach Rd, and outside the Dusit Hotel.

Makha Bucha Day

  End Feb/Mar, depending on moon ‑ This commemorates the day when 1250 of Buddha's disciples gathered spontaneously to hear him preach. In Pattaya, in common with the rest of Thailand, Buddhists visit the Wats and make merit by such acts as releasing caged birds. In the evening, the ceremonies culminate in a candlelight procession around the Bot, the main temple building. If you are modestly dressed and enter into the true spirit of the proceedings you will be made welcome.

Chakri Memorial Day

  6th April ‑ A day to commemorate the founding of the Chakri Dynasty of which King Bhumibol is the 9th King. In Pattaya, devout Buddhists visit the Wats and you will notice that the portraits of the Royal Family, which are seen in many shops and houses, have been decked with tributes of wreaths and flowers.

Songkran

  13th ‑ 15th April ‑ This is the celebration of the old Thai New Year, a religious festival in the Buddhist calendar. Buddhists visit the Wats for the ceremony of Rod Nam Dam Hua. Water is sprinkled on Buddha Images, offerings are made and confidence expressed that the supply of water will be adequate to cover the dry season. Houses are given a good clean and the younger members of the family respectfully bathe the hands and face of the more senior.

  This religious holiday has now become secularized! In Pattaya, usually over the weekend following Songkran, Carnival floats may parade along Pattaya. 2nd Rd and Beach Rd, but exuberant loads of merry‑makers take over the roads and paths, throwing water at each other and at you by the cupful, by the bucketful, by the tankful, by fire‑hose! More often than not, the water is icy cold. To add to the fun, talc or chalk mixed with water may be daubed on your face. Mostly, this is gently done but in the wild excitement you may get some in your eyes which stings. If this happens, wash it out with water as quickly as possible. There is plenty of water available! If this is your scene, be prepared to give as good as you get and not stay indoors.

.... As the Songkran Festival gives three days of holiday, you may be tempted to go off somewhere for a break. If you do, you will miss a whole lot of fun right here in Pattaya.

Pattaya Festivals

Pattaya Festivals take place throughout the year when events such as boat races, surf contests, marathons, parades, and beachside buffets are held. They are usually well advertised in the local newspapers or with banners across the main roads and flyers and posters placed in the resorts, hotels, and restaurants.

National Labor Day

1st May ‑ This holiday is comparative to National Days originated in Europe. It follows the lead of most Western countries whose workers celebrate a Labor Day. So far, the people of Pattaya have not introduced any particular activities related to this day. The main parades and celebrations take place at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.

Coronation Day

5th May ‑ This commemorates the coronation of King Bhumibol. In Pattaya, tribute is paid at shrines and at portraits of His Majesty.

Visakha Bucha Day

  Full moon, 6th lunar month ‑ This celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha and is therefore the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. If you visit any of the Wats of Pattaya and districts on the evening of this day, you may join in the candlelight processions.

Asalaha Bucha Day

  Mid July ‑ This is the day before the start of the Buddhist Lent. Many young men who are about to become monks hold parties on this day.

Buddhist Lent Day

  Mid July ‑ This is the start of the Buddhist periodsimilar in some ways to the Christian Lent. It is known as Khao Pansa, and the day is sometimes referred to as Khao Pansa Day. During the period of 'Khao Pansa', monks do not travel to other monasteries, their religious duties are most strictly observed, and the novice monks receive their training in the teachings of Buddha. On the day of ordination, you may see a buat naag (ordination ceremony) taking place at any of the Wats.

H.M. Queen's Birthday

  12th August ‑ The streets of Pattaya are lined with flags. Factories, shops and offices create displays paying tribute to her Majesty and donations are made to the many charitable organizations patronized by the Queen.

Chulalongkorn Day

  23rd October ‑ This commemorates the death of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, who reigned between 1868 and 1910. He is renowned for his achievements in the fields of education, modernization and progressive thinking. Chulalongkorn University came into being shortly after his death and was a direct result of his program of public education.

Loy Krathong

  Full moon, 12th lunar month, November ‑ As it depends on the moon, the exact date of Loy Krathong varies. It is thought to date back to the Sukhothai period but its exact significance is uncertain. The most usual explanation is that it is a thanksgiving to the water spirits, a cleansing of sins and a time when a wish may be made for the future. In Pattaya, excitement mounts days before the event. Thais make, buy or spruce up their pretty traditional costumes and loudspeakers in the shops blare out 'Loy Krathong' songs. Thais and Farangs alike prepare or buy Krathong'. These are wreath‑like boats, made of natural materials such as banana leaves. They contain a candle, incense sticks, a coin or two and are beautifully decorated with flowers. On the night of Loy Krathong, people gather at hotels, on the streets and in the bars. The girls parade proudly in their finery, with flowers in their hair. At midnight, everyone goes to the beach where the candle and incense sticks are lit and the Krathongs launched into the sea. Perhaps there are ‑serious thoughts and a moment of nostalgia as the lights bob away but soon the fun is again in full swing, well into the early hours.

H.M. King's Birthday

  5th December ‑ As for the Queen's Birthday, the people of Pattaya demonstrate their respect for the King with flags, displays and other tributes

Constitution Day

  10th December ‑ Commemorates the day in 1932 when the monarchy became constitutional, marking the beginning of democracy in Thailand.

New Year's Eve

  31st December ‑ The end of the old year. Both Thais and Farangs celebrate this special time. In Pattaya, the hotels vie with each other to provide the best food and fun, usually outdoors around the pool. There is entertainment by dancers and acrobats, fireworks are let off, and the old year is seen out in style.

Other Festivals Nearby

If you can take a day or two off here are a few events worth a visit in Thailand

Royal Ploughing In May at Sanam Luang, Bangkok –

  To mark the Ceremony beginning of the rice planting season. Garlanded buffaloes pull the decorated plough while Brahman priests plant sacred rice seeds and predict the success of the coming harvest.

Rocket Festival         

  2nd weekend of May at Yasothon northeast Thailand ‑ To ensure plentiful rains in this and district. Bamboo rockets are launched into the sky and festivities follow with beauty queens, parades, music, dancing and drinking into the night.

Fruit Fair                   

  Early June at Rayong and Chanthaburi ‑ Cultural displays, exhibitions and folk art as well as an abundance of fruits from the famous orchards of this province including rambutan, durian, pomclo and jackfruit.

Candle Festival         

  Late July or early August in Ubon Ratchathani Beautifully carved huge beeswax candles, designed to bum right through the period of Buddhist Lent are taken in colorful parades to be presented to local temples.

Longan Fair               

  August at Lamphun ‑ A contest to judge the best of the Longan fruits, (lamyai in Thai) which are a specialty of the North of Thailand. A beauty queen is also chosen, with a parade and agricultural displays.

Boat Races                

  September at Phichit in Central Thailand ‑ Annual regatta on the Nan River featuring numerous low‑slung boats racing with great gusto and cheering of spectators.

Buffalo Races           

  October at Chonburi ‑ A festival where buffalo with jockeys balanced on their rumps thunder across the field. There are contests pitting buffalo and man, and beauty contests for decorated buffaloes.

River Kwai Bridge Week                                                                             

  November at Kanchanaburi ‑ A nightly sound and light show relates the grim history of this famous bridge. Visitors can also ride the World War 11 vintage steam engines across it.

  Elephant Round-up

  November at Surin in northeast Thailand – Over 100 elephants are assembled for a spectacle and parade, all fitted out for medieval warfare, tugs of war, logpulling displays and wild elephant hunts.

  Trooping of the Colors

  December at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok ‑ The elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to Their Majesties the King and Queen and there is a colorful march past with much pomp and ceremony.

(C) 2006 copyright by SPIRIT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES / Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya