Thailand Stories

One of the most popular festivals in the central region of Thailand is the Monkey Festival held annually in Lopburi. The city is about 150 kms north-east of Bangkok and is a convenient stopover on the northern railway line to Chiang Mai. The iconic Khmer ruin in this city is Prang Sam Yot, which was originally a Hindu shrine. …

Imprinted Candles as Candle Parade In remote Ubon, Thailand’s eastern most province, tourists are usually rarer than a vote for the Democrat Party and the laid back locals seems to like it this way. The wilderness province even boasts Thailand’s most spectacular natural site yet is happy not …

During the full moon of this month we celebrate the religious holiday of Asarnha Bucha Day. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon to his first five disciples. The following day marks the start of the Rains Retreat which is sometimes referred to as the Buddhist Lent. It lasts for about three months. This year, these two holidays are on…

Phi Ta Khon is the most famous festival that takes place in Loei Province in either June or July each year. At Wat Phon Chai, in Dan Sai, you will find the Dan Sai Folk Museum that goes into great detail…

One of the most unique and colourful festivals in Thailand is Phi Ta Khon that takes place every year in Dansai in Loei Province. It is sometimes translated into English as the Ghost Festival as many people wear ghost masks during the processions. Really the festival is called Bun Luang which is a combination …

In less than two weeks we will be celebrating the biggest Thai Festival called Songkran 2011 . This takes place all over Thailand in mid-April. The date used to vary but it is now fixed and takes place on 13-15 April every year. Although these are…

This weekend, Thailand is hosting one of Asia’s biggest beach music festivals. The Pattaya International Music Festival , 18-20 March 2011,  is now in its tenth year and is bigger and better than ever. The opening night was on Friday which I attended. It continues over the weekend with both Thai…

Muay Thai is truly an international sport these days as people all around the world compete in this ancient form of boxing. However, the spiritual home is definitely here in Thailand with the home base being in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Yesterday, 350 boxers from 35 different countries came together at Wat Mahathat to take part in the Wai Khru …

One of the most bizarre festivals that I have ever attended in Thailand is the Tattoo Festival. This takes place at Wat Bang Phra temple in Nakhon Chaisi, about 50 kms west of Bangkok. This year it is on Saturday 19th March 2011. Wat Bang Phra is famous for its magically charged tattoos and amulets which can protect its wearer against…

In July 2010 I went with my friends Aod and Chai to visit Aod’s family in Roi Et province. On the 10 and 11 July they celebrated the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival in the village of Ban Kang Pla (Nong Phai) which is on the road no 2043 a few km outside of Roi Et. On the…

The most important date on the festival calendar for Nakhon Sawan is the annual Paknam Pho Chinese New Year Festival which lasts for 12 days and 12 nights. The highlights are definitely the two “Chao Por-Chao Mae” Processions which take place in the evening and then the following morning. I recently …

One of the least visited areas of Thailand is the North-East, or Isaan as it is referred to by the Thai people. This is a shame as it has a lot to offer such as its art and culture, …

The Chinese people of Samrong in Samut Prakan Province believe that their God Jao Por Tap will help them get rich. Behind Imperial World, on the old Paknam Railway Road, they have built a large Chinese shrine dedicated to this God. Every year during January, they hold a parade through town which is attended by literally thousands of…

In this photo released by Royal Household Bureau, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, left, listens to Red Bull Formula One, driver Mark Webber, front right, as he shows his racing car to Bhumibol during the courtesy call at Siriraj hospital in Bangkok…

I recently attended the Thailand International Balloon and Adventure Sports Festival 2010 which this year was being held in Nakhon Nayok. This is the fourth time that the Balloon Festival has been held in Thailand. The first two years it took place…

Hot air balloons take off during the International Balloon Festival in Nakhon Nayok December 4, 2010. Pilots and their balloons from all over the world arrived for the five-day balloon festival as part of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 83rd birthday celebration, which is on December 5. ( Richard Barrow / Thai Festival Blogs ) More …

One of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. It is known in Thai as Loy Krathong, but is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights. The next one will take place …

It will soon be time for Loy Krathong Festival which is one of the most beautiful festivals celebrated in Thailand. To take part in this event, Thai people make a small float shaped like a bowl. Traditionally this is made from the stem of a banana tree and also from the banana …

Loy Krathong is a beautiful Thai festival that many people look forward to every year. It is on the full moon night during November which this year falls on Sunday 21st November 2010 in Thailand. Students at our school have been busy making …

November in Thailand sees some of my favourite festivals. These include Loy Krathong (21st November 2010), Surin Elephant Round-Up (20-21 November 2010), River Kwai Bridge Week (24 Nov-5 Dec 2010) and the Monkey Buffet Festival (28th November 2010). The sunflower season also kicks off in November. For a full list…