Festivals
The Royal Barge Ceremony 2026
Bangkok — Chao Phraya River
Main ceremony: Friday, November 6, 2026
A rare, once-in-a-decade spectacle: the Royal Barge Procession sees fifty-two ornate, hand-pulled barges glide down the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, led by the golden Suphannahong. Held only for the grandest royal occasions, the 2026 ceremony draws huge crowds to the riverbanks — expect road closures and crowded river piers, and arrive early for a viewing spot.
Details for the 2026 Procession
Main Ceremony Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Location: The Chao Phraya River, Bangkok (traveling toward Wat Arun Ratchawararam)
Occasion: The procession is being held for the Royal Kathin ceremony (where the monarch traditionally presents new robes to Buddhist monks after the rains retreat), and also forms part of celebrations marking Queen Suthida's 48th birthday.
Scale of the Fleet: 52 historic, intricately carved ceremonial vessels; approximately 2,200 Royal Thai Navy personnel serving as oarsmen and crew. The majestic formation spans roughly 1,280 meters in length and 90 meters across, arranged in traditional columns and lines.
Rehearsals & Viewing: Prior to the main event, the Royal Thai Navy conducts a series of minor and full-dress rehearsals. The final full-dress rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2026, starting around 3:00 PM. Spectators typically gather along designated public viewing corridors on both banks of the Chao Phraya River (stretching between the Rama VIII / Krung Thon Bridge area down toward Wat Arun).
Tips for Visitors: Expect heavy crowds, temporary river traffic closures managed by the Marine Department, and street-level restrictions. Arriving early is strongly advised.
Bo Sang Umbrella & Handicraft Festival
Bo Sang, Chiang Mai
Third weekend
The umbrella village of Bo Sang celebrates its craft with a parade of hand-painted umbrellas, beauty contests, food stalls and live demonstrations of traditional paper-umbrella making.
Chinese New Year
Yaowarat (Bangkok), Phuket, Nakhon Sawan, Songkhla
Varies by lunar calendar
Thailand's Thai-Chinese communities celebrate with dragon dances, lion dances, street fairs and fireworks. Bangkok's Chinatown on Yaowarat Road is the biggest celebration, drawing huge crowds.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Nong Buak Haad Park, Chiang Mai
First weekend
Chiang Mai is known as the "Rose of the North" — this festival fills the city with flower floats, landscaped garden competitions, a beauty pageant and a grand parade through the old city.
Makha Bucha Day
Nationwide, especially temples
Full moon of the 3rd lunar month
One of Thailand's most important Buddhist holidays, commemorating the Buddha's first sermon. Devotees join candlelight processions (wian tian) walking clockwise three times around the temple chedi. Alcohol sales are restricted.
Hae Pha Khun That (Cloth-Wrapping Festival)
Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Around Makha Bucha day
Devotees carry a kilometres-long sacred cloth around the ancient temple before ceremonially wrapping the Phra Boromathat chedi — a spectacular procession unique to the South.
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Nationwide; biggest in Chiang Mai, Bangkok & Phuket
13–15 April
The world's biggest water fight. Originally a gentle ritual of pouring water over Buddha images and elders' hands for good luck, it has become a nationwide three-day celebration. Expect to get soaked everywhere you go.
Visakha Bucha Day
Nationwide, especially temples
Full moon of the 6th lunar month
The holiest Buddhist day of the year, marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing away all on the same date. Temples fill with merit-makers; many Thais donate alms and join evening processions.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Sanam Luang, Bangkok
Usually early May
An ancient Brahmin ceremony marking the start of the rice-growing season. Sacred oxen plough a ceremonial field and their choice of food is read as a prediction for the year's harvest.
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
Isan region — Yasothon is the most famous
Varies (before the rainy season)
Villages across the Northeast launch homemade bamboo rockets to prompt the rain gods ahead of rice planting. Yasothon's version features huge rockets, parades and lots of dancing — and loud parties.
Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival)
Dan Sai, Loei
Varies by lunar calendar
Young men wear towering, colourful masks carved from coconut trunks in a lively three-day masked procession blending animism and Buddhist lore. One of Thailand's most photogenic and unique festivals.
Asanha Bucha & Khao Phansa (Candle Festival)
Nationwide; Ubon Ratchathani is famous
Full moon of the 8th lunar month
Asanha Bucha marks the Buddha's first sermon; the next day monks enter the three-month rains retreat (Khao Phansa). Ubon Ratchathani sends it off with a parade of enormous carved beeswax candles.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Phuket Town
First 9 days of the 9th lunar month
Nine days of a strict vegetarian (or "je") diet accompanied by dramatic street processions, fire-walking and piercing rituals at Chinese shrines. Intense, fascinating and one of Phuket's biggest annual events.
Naga Fireball Festival
Mekong River, Nong Khai
End of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa)
On the night the Buddhist Lent ends, glowing pink-red orbs are said to rise from the Mekong River — attributed by legend to a serpent naga. Crowds line the riverbanks at Phon Phisai to watch the phenomenon.
Buffalo Racing Festival
Chonburi
Usually late September / October
Farmers race their buffaloes down the main street of Chonburi town, cheered on by thousands. A 140-year-old tradition with fun fairs, beauty contests and plenty of street food.
Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights)
Nationwide; Sukhothai, Chiang Mai & Bangkok are the best
Full moon of the 12th lunar month
Thailand's most beautiful festival. People float decorated baskets (krathong) on rivers and canals to thank the water goddess and let go of bad luck — turning waterways into carpets of candlelight.
Yi Peng (Lantern Festival)
Chiang Mai
Around Loy Krathong
Chiang Mai's companion to Loy Krathong: thousands of glowing paper lanterns (khom loi) are released into the night sky. The Mae Jo mass release is the iconic image, though tickets are limited.
Surin Elephant Round-Up
Surin, Isan
Third weekend
Hundreds of elephants and their mahouts gather for a weekend of parades, elephant football, tug-of-war and a huge buffet breakfast for the elephants, celebrating Surin's Kui elephant-keeping heritage.
Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival
Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi
Last Sunday
The town's famous macaques are treated to a banquet of tonnes of fruit and vegetables laid out around the ancient Khmer temple — a quirky spectacle that draws crowds and news crews from around the world.
Exact dates of lunar festivals change each year — check local listings before planning a trip around one.