Thailand Festivals and Public Holidays

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• published: 18 Feb 2013
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In Thailand, years are based on the Buddhist era (B.E.), which started 543 years earlier than the Christian era. Thus the year 2010 A.D. is recognised as 2553 B.E. in the Thai solar calendar. In 1940, Thailand moved its New Year's Day from 13th April to 1st January. The old New Year is most definitely still a holiday (Songkran), and certainly not to be missed (assuming you don't mind getting a little bit wet). Some holidays follow the solar calendar and some follow the lunar calendar. Most Buddhists festivals and holidays follow the lunar calendar so their actual dates vary from year to year with regards to the Gregorian calendar. They also vary from country to country based on the Buddhist tradition of the country. Thailand follows the tradition of Theravada Buddhism. The Thai ancient lunar calendar distinguishes itself from Islamic and other lunar calendars by being set up based on the yearly agricultural cycle, as it was the most important aspect of the primarily agrarian society. Thai ancient lunar calendar is divided into 12 months, like the western calendar, but the months are determined by the phases of the moon, rather than by a position of the earth in relation to the sun. Months in the Thai calendar are defined by lunar cycles. Successive months (or lunations) are numbered from 1 to 12 within the Thai year. The Thai lunar calendar does not mark the beginning of a new year when it starts a new 1-to-12 count, which occurs most frequently in December (full moon). Months divide into two periods designated by whether they are waxing or waning:- Waxing is the period from new moon to full moon, which is always 15 days. Waning is the period from full moon to new moon, (either 14 or 15 days). While solar-calendar weekdays have names, lunar-calendar days number sequentially from 1 to 14 or 15 in two segments depending on whether the moon is waxing or waning. To keep the years in sync with the seasons, Thai lunar years may add a day to the 7th month or repeat the 8th month. Therefore, years may have one of three lengths - 354, 355 or 384 days - yet retain a nominal length of twelve months. - 354 day long years consist of 12 "normal months", and such a year is called a "normal month year" (Pee-pa-ga-ti-mat)). - 355 day long years add an extra day to the normally 29 day long 7th month; such a year is called an "extra day year" (Pee-a-ti-ga-wan)) - 384 day long years repeat the 30 day long 8th month, thus keeping the month count at 12. Nevertheless, a year of 384 days is called an "extra month year" (Pee-a-ti-ga-mat) New Year's Day * Wan Khun Pee Mai 1st January Mahayana Buddist New Year Although Thailand follows the Theravada tradition, many people also celebrate the Mahayana New Year first full moon in January (26th January 2013) Thai Children Day 2nd Saturday in January (12th January 2013) Teachers Day This is an occasion for pupils to pay tribute to their teachers, who are highly respected in Thailand. 16th January Thai Army Day The King, Rama IX, visits the army and watches military parades. 25th January Chinese New Year (10th February 2013) Last day of Chinese New Year Also known as Yuan Xiao Day 15th day of the Chinese New Year (24th February 2013) Magha Puja * Makha Bucha Day - Theravada Buddhist holiday Based on Thai lunar calendar (on the full moon day of the third lunar month) This is in commemoration of a spontaneous gathering of 1,250 Sangha followers who came to meet Lord Buddha 9 months after his first enlightenment. They were ordinated by Lord Buddha and enlightened. Celebrated with candle light processions three times clockwise around the temple, (usually in the evening) - (one time for the Lord Buddha, one time for the Sangha (Buddhist monk community), and one time for the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). February full moon (25th February 2013) Valentines Day Bangrak (district office in Bangkok) means "District of Love", and on 14 February it's a magnet for amorous Thai couples, even if St Valentine's Day is an imported Western concept. (24th May 2013) travel thai holiday teens and old people. Thailand, Festivals, Public ,Holidays