You can either chose to participate in Chiang Mai and Bangkok or the Chiang Mai trip only. The act of releasing a lantern. Redeeming Your PointsRedeeming your points couldn’t be easier. The best Thailand Festivals are: Do you like the idea of a giant, three-day water fight? The god of wealth is also present in the garden area holding a pot of golden coins in his hands. In Bangkok, there’s a river parade of large-scale Krathongs made by government offices and businesses, with a prize for the most creative design. Our second day will be consumed with visits to some of the most impressive temples and palaces anywhere in Southeast Asia. Thailand's monarchy is greatly revered, as shown with Mother's Day, which is on the date of the queen (now queen mother)'s birthday and it is also a public holiday. If the candle on your krathong manages to stay alight until you can no longer see it, this signifies that you will have good luck in the next year. Experience Thai food at its origin, both simple and flavourful. This was the birthday of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), a symbolic father of Thailand, who passed away in 2016. Despite this change, 5th December has remained a public holiday and has been renamed as King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary, in memory of the beloved monarch. At the start of the. They are said to be the biggest in Thailand.? To prove that this Rocket Festival at Yasothon is serious business: they use homemade rockets that weigh over one hundred kilograms and it will fly over five minutes long. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner). Bangkok is a Songkran hotspot and the backpacker favourite, Khao San Road, becomes one big water fight zone. The light and firework show during River Kwai Bridge Week. Many young girls sit atop these floats, waving to the crowd - these are the candidates for the Chiang Mai Flower Festival Queen. As said, the Rocket Festival is being celebrated all over the Isaan-region, but the most popular Rocket Festival is being held at Yasothon. Additionally, feeding the monkeys prevents them from being able get their own food, as they become used to getting food from tourists in general. The Phimai Festival & Long-Boat race can be celebrated at the Phimai Historical Park. !! Compare flights going to Chiang Mai airport or Bangkok as-well. The most popular rocket festival, however, is the Yasothon Rocket Festival. The trip is an opportunity to connect with a group of travelers from all over the world and make new and lasting friendships. food, making Yi Peng one of the most exciting Thailand festivals.

The dates for Phi Ta Khon change every year, but fall in either June or July. Our final full day in Bangkok will introduce us to some of the local tradesmen who are still pounding out metal alms bowls for monks, as they have for centuries.The last of their kind, their crafts are slowly being replaced by cheaper machined versions, but they hang on to their way of life while they still can. Besides the show itself, several exhibitions are on display as well where you can get a deeper knowledge of what happened in Kanchanaburi’s recent history. November – Temps 85/64 F | 29/18 C  Sunrise 6:16 | Sunset 5:48 (17:48). Adjusted payment schedules are available for late sign ups. However, it’s the country’s unique annual celebrations that really steal the show.
In Thai, loy means to float and a krathong is a small container, traditionally made from banana leaves and a slice of banana tree. Therefore, Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival) is one of biggest festivals in Thailand. We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry. Each of them have their own unique identity, which they are struggling to maintain as modern Thailand changes rapidly around them. (B). One of these alternative boat races is being held at Phitsanulok as well as Bangkok. However, many modern offerings are made with plastics and styrofoam, which causes serious pollution in rivers, canals, lakes and oceans. Although it is celebrated across northern Thailand, the cultural capital of Chiang Mai has become synonymous with Yi Peng and the festivities in Chiang Mai take place over three days with religious events, cultural activities, street parades and the release of fire lanterns. Check out is at 12 p.m. on the last day of the trip and you are able to keep your luggage at the hotel if your flight is later in the day on the day of check out but everyone must check out by 12 p.m. International flights to Thailand are not included in the price, it is your responsibility to purchase your own flight for the trip. Yi Peng is often confused with a completely separate, unrelated event which is held in a nearby town called Mae Jo. Want to see people pushing knives through their cheeks, setting off firecrackers and walking over hot coals? Thais may wear yellow on this day, a colour of celebration and recognition of royalty, or black to commemorate the late king. The lantern festival in Thailand is to represent optimism and new beginnings Loy Krathong Festival. These flight search engine sites offer flight comparison where you can actually see different airfares from different airlines. These reenacted battles are combined with a spectacular light and firework show. Do not forget to make a wish, light incense, and wait until the lantern is suitable to fly to the sky. Songkran is a major event in the Buddhist calendar, making it the most important Thai festival. You could fly into Thailand a few days prior to the trip start date and explore Phuket or other parts of Thailand on your own before joining the group for the trip.

Make the tradition of releasing the lantern; it is believed that the emitting of the lantern is like … Each of them have their own unique identity, which they are struggling to maintain as modern Thailand changes rapidly around them. Many believe that the time of the 12th full moon is when the moon will appear at its fullest and brightest that make the perfect time to wish for good fortune for the new calendar year. The cost is 10 baht. The festival origins are unclear, but it’s thought that a Chinese opera group visited the island many years ago and fell sick with malaria. In 2020 - the festival dates are set between 16th October and 25th October. And come away with an appreciation of a culture that is unmatched anywhere in Asia. The Mae Jo lantern release used to be part of the traditional Khatina ceremony held in the town, whereby Thai Buddhists donate robes and money trees to monks as a way of making merit. In Sanskrit, Songkran means ‘astrological passage’, the time when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to another. Meanwhile, beach destination Pattaya and home of the Full Moon Party Koh Phangan host the wildest of celebrations. This is a special occasion not only to celebrate the nation's mothers, but also the queen mother herself, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. How do people celebrate the lantern festival? Thailand Lantern festival Restore & Release - Chiang Mai & Phuket Dates . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Songkran is one of the most popular Thailand festivals and is celebrated all over the country. Then take a Songtaew (share taxi) number 36 from under the station. This gruesome side to Jay Festival comes from a legend that a Chinese opera group once got sick in Phuket, but after fasting and praying for nine days, they were cured, boasting invincibility. Where can you celebrate the Monkey Buffet Festival? Please select single occupancy for a private room. Yi Peng, the Lantern Festival. They miraculously recovered after observing a strict vegetarian diet and praying to the nine Emperor gods. We begin our day exploring one of the many elephant sanctuaries, to experience how elephants are cared for after they’ve been rescued from labour farms. Feeding the monkeys can make them associate you with their source of food and latch onto you, potentially attacking you/your things. 22 Best Local Thai Dishes In Bangkok And Where To Get Them. Our Asia specialist, Thea, shares her experience of Chiang Mai's Elephant Nature Park and why a visit to see the gentle giants is a must. Krathongs are traditionally made from banana tree trunks or lilies. Art, Antiques, Decorative Items & Handicrafts. The best time to visit is just before sunset to avoid the crowds. Loy Krathong is closely tied to Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng festival as it occurs on the same night and focuses on the same Buddhist principles of releasing the past and making wishes for the future. The three-day Thai festival is a re-enactment of a Buddhist story and a celebration of animist reincarnation beliefs. I would suggest purchasing your flight early to save money, my go to search engines are Sky Scanner and Kayak for cheaper flight options. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. During the ghost festival, the quiet farming village of Dan Sai is transformed by colourful, masked spirits who dance and parade through the streets.

During Songkran, Buddhists visit temples to pray, light candles and make merit as well as cleanse each other with water. When the ceremony became flooded with visitors, the event organisers set up a separate ticketed lantern release for tourists, which costs between $100 and $400 to attend.
If going around the city by yourself, take tuk-tuks during the day, and taxis at night. Thailand's Nine Emperor Gods Festival, also known as Jay Festival or Vegetarian Festival, is a Taoist celebration that takes place over a period of nine days during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. To get back to Kheha cross the footbridge and take the 36 songtaew again. Prior to the big spectacle, the setting is joyful and serene as monks perform chants during an on-stage ceremony. Go to Visa Map to find out. As the rafts drift away they carry with them a clipping of the owner’s hair or nails to symbolise letting go of bad luck and negative thoughts. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features.