November Festival GuideLight and Sound on River Kwai BridgeLike all great travellers, I have seen more than I can remember and remember more than I have seen Benjamin DisraeliThis Thailand November Festival Guide is crammed full of exciting festivities, fairs and special events taking place all around the country. The beginning of the cool season is about to start and it's time again to rejoice as the Thai's welcome you to join in with all the fun as they celebrate these special occasions. Most of the regions in Thailand have their own brand of entertainment and all foreigners are encouraged to join in at many of these exciting events. May I suggest that you jump in at every possible opportunity. Please remember though that not all festivals and events happen on the same day each year. Some have fixed dates and others are determined by the lunar calendar. Golden Mount Fair is a popular annual temple affair held at Bangkok's Wat Saket temple for a period of 7 nights and 8 days. This fair is said to commemorate and worship the Buddha's relics which are enshrined in the Golden Mount in the temple grounds. Can be quite a noisy fun filled fair with a variety of performances including folk dancing, folk plays, animal shows, carnival rides and a variety of other amusements to keep you busy for some time. There are lots of stalls selling bric-a-brac and with plenty of food to go around, you can't go wrong. Loads of fun and excitement for the whole family.
Candle Floating during Loy Krathong
November Festival GuideLoy Krathong has to be one of the most beautiful festivals of all the events cerebrated in Thailand. It is held on the night of the full moon during the cool season in this month of November. This is Thailand's most enchanting festival and is celebrated throughout the country by most Thai's who make offerings to the water spirits to help cleanse them of past sins and to restore good luck. During this time Thai's launch small candle laden boats into the rivers whilst asking for thier blessings. As part of the festivities Thai's also set candles alight in paper lanterns and then let them float to the heavens. In addition to all this there are fireworks displays and beauty contests taking place all around Thailand. This event is similar in theme and respect to the Hindu festival Diwali (festival of lights) held around the world at the same time as Loy Krathong every year. The word Loi simply means to float and the word Krathong is the name given to a small raft traditionally made from a section of a banana tree trunk. Today Thai's often use more modern day versions including the use of Styrofoam which is then mostly decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks. The Thai tradition of Loy Kratong is believed to have originated in the central town of Sukhothai, but is now celebrated throughout Thailand. The best festivities are held in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya should you be here in Thailand at this time of the year.
Elephant Round-Up Festivities in Surin
November Festival GuidePhra Pathom Chedi Fair is a grand affair held at the world's biggest Chedi in Nakorn Pathom which is approximately 60 kilometers or 38 miles west of Bangkok. This particular fair is regarded as one of the most exciting fairs in Thailand. You could easily spend the whole day leisurely strolling around the vast grounds whilst viewing all the different stalls selling anything and everything. Don't be surprised as to whats all on sale at this fair. Want to take a glimpse as to some of the local delicacies on sale then click on my Thai street food page to view. I decided not to add any of these photos here. Apart from being a pilgrimage for Buddhas, the fair's main purpose is to promote tourism in Nakhon Pathom. Note that although the fair grounds inspires a more casual atmosphere whereby dressing is of a more relaxed nature, you would be required to dress more appropriately should you want to enter the temple. To understand what is required you can always visit my what to wear page. Always remember that wandering around for any length of time in the open can be a pretty hot affair. I prefer to dash off to the nearest air-conditioned building I can find but this is not always the case when you are on the move. My advise is to take the extra light clothing with you.
Phra Pathom Chedi
November Festival GuideKhon Kaen Silk Fair is an annually festivity held in the north eastern town of Khon Kaen some 445 kilometers or 270 miles from Bangkok. Silk demonstrating events are staged in front of the city hall and in Ratchadanusorn Park which lasts a whole week. This would be an excellent opportunity to purchase some splendid examples of pure lustrous Thai Silk while observing the the actual production. Activities at the fair offer colourful street processions including the Miss Silk Parade which helps in promoting the province of Khon Kaen as a north eastern tourist destination. Apart from holding a variety of local Issan cultural shows, there are all sorts of demonstrations relating to the Thai Silk industry. You will be able to observe the raising of silk worms, the weaving of silk textiles as well as exhibits on the promotion of the silk industry. A November Festival Guide special.
Examples of Thai Silk
November Festival GuideBridge on the River Kwai sound and light show festivities is a rather garish spectacle of note and not one that I would necessary approve as it seems more apt to commercialising one of the worst atrocities of World War II, that of the the Death Railway between Thailand and Burma. Thailand was not so much as active in the fighting during the war but allowed Japan into the territory to build this notorious railway. This carnival type festivity lasts for the whole week in late November every year. It is supposed to commemorate the start of the Allied bombing campaign against the bridge in November 1944, only it's more like a rock concert with lots of noise, laser-light shows and fire-work displays. See the video at the top of the page. There are however other less emphatic activities including cultural performances, vintage trains rides and a re-enactment of the horrifying tales of the Second World War. Again, as in most festivals in Thailand, there is a beauty pageant only this one is to commemorate peace.
Mexican Sunflowers
November Festival GuideThe Sunflower Fair is a sight not to be missed especially on the hill tops of the northern province. These blooming Mexican sunflowers are best viewed at their peak from the hills of Doi Mae U-khor in the Khun Yuam district and at Doi Mae Hoh, in the Mae Sariang district of Mae Hong Son where a very popular three day festival is held. This is a very merry affair with a lots of lively entertainment from the local cultural performances that take place here. Another fine sunflower fair is held at Lop Buri in the central plains of Thailand. Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya River
November Festival GuideLittle Royal Barge Festival is a November festival guide event held annually in towns around the country. The main events being held from Wat Nang Chee temple in the Phasi Charoen district of Bangkok. You will see boats decorated with flowers and carrying Buddha relics travelling along the many canals. The most beautiful royal barge is the Suphannahong used by the king only when he makes his royal river procession for the Kathin Ceremony, a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October and November.
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