Holidays and Events

Holidays and Events

Songkran

The Festival Of Lunar New Year In Thailand

Thailand's Lunar New Year celebration takes place every year between April 13th - 15th, however the celebrations in the Northern provinces can last longer than a week. The festival of Songkran is one of the biggest events of the year in Thailand, for both the locals as well as those tourists visiting from other countries. If you have never witnessed the celebrations of this festival then you might be shocked to see if for the first time. Songkran festivities consist of little more than a giant water fight, with children as well as adults, mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers all taking part in the chaos. The entire country erupts into a battle in the streets, with the weapons of choice being water guns, hoses, buckets of water and anything else you can possibly think of using as a means of getting other people wet.

Everyone is involved in the battle whether they like it or not, even the odd bewildered tourist that had not read about it in the guidebooks, and was shocked at what they saw when they left their hotel on the first day of festivities. Police officers are not off limits, and officers on patrol during the festival will have their gun as well as their radio safely protected by plastic, knowing full well that tourists will relish the opportunity to soak them given any opportunity. Anyone who chooses not to participate in the festival will be advised to stay indoors, at home or in their hotel, anyone in the streets during Songkran is running the risk of being soaked.

The heavy consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol inevitably results in several safety issues during the Songkran festivities, with drinking and driving being the most common cause for concern. It is estimated that traffic accidents during the Songkran holiday result in an average of 85 fatalities per day. It is a good idea to stay off the roads at this time of year, as the chances are that many of the vehicles on the road will be under the control of an intoxicated operator. There are also several police traffic stops across the country as part of an effort to reduce the number of accidents, so those who drive while impaired run the risk of being charged.

For the most part the water fights are all good-natured fun amongst friends and family, neighbors and strangers alike, however every year there are a always a few bad apples that take things a little too far. There are a few unwritten rules that not everyone follows, that can lead to potential problems and disagreements. After the sun goes down, it is understood that there should be a "cease fire", as people relax and prepare themselves for the ensuing battle the following day. Many people use frigid water chilled with ice, and this is a sore point with those who are forced to compete using lukewarm water, however it is so common that it would be hard to say that this is frowned upon. It is also common for some people to use mixture of talcum powder and water to smear the faces of their fellow revelers, and while this has long been a part of the traditional celebrations, it is not always appreciated.

Tourists from around the globe who have experienced the celebrations of Songkran continue to come year after year to be part of the festivities, as it is like nothing you will see anywhere else on the planet. Perhaps it is not surprising that when people are presented with the opportunity to act like a kid again, they seize the moment and revel in the playful and fun loving celebrations. Thai people are no stranger to youthful and playful behavior, as it is a defining part of their culture, and foreigners can find themselves learning a lot from this festival, and the history and culture of Thailand.

Vegetarian Festival of Thailand

Every year in late September and early October, Thailand celebrates it's annual vegetarian festival. The exact date varies from year to year depending on the Chinese lunar calendar. For a period of 9 days, believers will refrain from eating meat or animal products, instead eating a strict vegan diet consisting of vegetables and soya products. The festival is believed to have originated in Southern China, and today is celebrated by Thais with Chinese Buddhist ancestry. The event also attracts foreign visitors from various other Asian countries that share these Chinese Buddhist beliefs. 

Tourists from all over the world are shocked year after year

Across the country participating food vendors will offer affordable vegetarian dishes for those who wish to partake in the festival, or even for tourists that simply enjoy vegetarian food. Popular dishes will include vegetable curries, spring rolls, noodles and several simulated meat dishes made from tofu. While many tourists will find all the wonderful vegetarian dishes to be a pleasant change of pace from traditional Thai food, travelers to the island of Phuket will find themselves entertained by the various sacred rituals preformed in parades around the city. 

In Phuket Town, believers parade through the city displaying various forms of self mutilation, such as swords pierced through their cheeks, or skewers through their back. These devoted men and women are thought to be spirit mediums, in a deep trance and immune to any pain. During the parade procession through the city streets, strings of firecrackers are constantly set off just inches above the heads of these spirit mediums. The fact that they pay no regard to the chaos and noise that surrounds them serves as proof that they are indeed in a trance. They show no reaction to the firecrackers, and simply walk ahead shaking their heads from side to side with a blank stare on their face. 

In the past the faces would be impaled most commonly by swords and skewers, however in recent years some devotees have been known to use objects such as tennis rackets, tree branches, beach umbrellas and even bicycles. In an effort to shock the crowd, those who dare to be different will use whatever prop that they feel will attract the most attention. Aside from the self mutilation rituals of impaling their cheeks, slicing their tongues and piercing their various body parts with skewers, these spirit mediums also practice walking over hot coals and climbing ladders with rungs made of the blades of swords. 

Local authorities discourage the use of non traditional piercing objects, and in 2011, for the first time ever, spirit mediums were registered and given documentation to show that they have the legal right to self mutilate. According to the Phuket Gazette online newspaper, any individual practicing self mutilation, or impaling themselves without the proper documentation can potentially face time in jail. 

There is no better time to visit the island of Phuket than during the vegetarian festival, it is not for the faint of heart, but it is something you will never forget. Tourists from all over the world are shocked year after year, catching a glimpse of the bizarre celebrations and rituals that most have never seen before. Most tourists will want to take as many photos as possible, knowing that their friends back home are unlikely to believe their stories unless they have evidence to prove it.