臺北市新住民專區網站英文版

1. New Year (Songkran)

The ancient Thailand New Year was Songkran due to the free time of farming in mid April. It is good time to celebrate grant religious activities and civil juggleries. The activities of Songkran festival: Hang national flags all over the country, pour water down Buddha and monks, pay respect to the elders with the throwing of water and pray for blessings. Therefore, people also called it the “Splash festival”. Annual Songkran is held from April 13th to 15th. The first thing to do in the early morning of traditional Songkran is to pray for blessings, the younger generation line up to pay tribute to the elders, wish to gain the blessings from them with an coming auspicious year.

2. Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is the most meaningful folk festival in Thailand and also a holiday full with mythology. It was held at night on December fifth in the Thai lunar calendar. Farmers let go the water lanterns to appreciate God of River for the abundant water and irrigation of crops and pray for the favorable weather in the coming year. Young men and women wish to find an ideal partner by sending messages through lanterns. Buddhists pray that all the evils will flow away with water and the happiness will come with the waves.

3. Nine Emperor Gods Festival

There is an important holiday on the island of Phuket – Nine Emperor Gods Festival. It was held annually in September or October for a series celebration for 9 days. In the nine days and nights of the festival, all the followers of Nine Emperor Gods have to be vegetarians, stop all the entertainments and hold all kind of ceremonies in the five major temples inside the city.

4. Kite Festival

Flying a kite has a long history in Thailand. Thai people have always regarded it as a symbol that it will carry the dreams and hopes of people and the exquisite handcrafts to the heaven.

5. Royal Ploughing Ceremony

There is the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May annually in Thailand. It has been the country of agriculture since the ancient times. Nowadays the population of agriculture still accounts for about 80% in Thailand. Therefore, the entire nation regards this day as a grand holiday. King, royal members and the governors will attend the ploughing ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok and announce this is a national holiday to pay respect.

6. Surin Elephant Festival

Surin is adjacent to the Roi Et province in the north, Cambodia in the south, the Si Sa Ket province in the east and Buri Ram provine in the west. It is noted as “Town of Elephant” for the rich procreation of elephants since ancient times. Surin province has started to raise elephants since the ancient Khmer era, and used elephants in the battle, hunting and transportations. However, the reason that makes elephants of Surin so famous and popular for the domestic and international tourists is the elephant hunting performance event held by Surin government annually in November. This world-renowned elephant assembly event has held for over 40 years with a long history so far. It attracts millions domestic and international tourists, bring in lots of foreign exchanges and promote the economic prosperity in Surin.