People in Thailand love to celebrate so they have their calendar filled with holidays and festivals. As the rainy season ends, the country starts to expect the entry of many tourists who can participate in many wonderful festivals. If you have planned to travel to the country during the autumn, you can check out Thailand`s most celebrated festivals to make your stay at the Land of Smiles really worth it.
Monkey Buffet
This festival is celebrated during the last Sunday of November. In Lopburi, you can find plenty of monkeys almost overrunning the town scampering around temples and making naughty things such as snatching purses, cameras, food and just about anything they can grab from people. Holding the feast for moneys every November is a way for the locals to thank them for drawing people in.
People set decorated tables on the Prang Sam Yot grounds where monkeys are seen eating sausages, fruits, desserts and other dishes that local chefs prepare. They even encase some fruits in ice in order to put more challenge and variety for the monkeys. Organizers stage the banquet into four various meal times to allow travellers enough time to take photos. Aside from the feeding moment, visitors can also witness cultural dancing, parade and the line-up of food vendors on the street.
Naga Fireball Festival
This festival is set during the last days of October. During the 11th lunar month`s full moon, the serpent called Naga is expected to swim in the Mekong in order to shoot fire balls from its jaws. The serpent can be seen in Nong Khai Province where spectators congregate at the river`s banks to witness the scenario. People who don`t believe in this phenomena post a couple of theories on the fireball`s cause. One theory notes that the bottom of the river releases methane gas which is ignited as it emerge from the water. Meanwhile, the second theory says tracer fire is shot by residents in Lao across the river into the air. But, none of such theories has affected any Thai believers. Nong Khai has been a witness to some fireballs; however, it has the biggest festival, alms-giving, boat races and cultural performances. Travellers in the province can see a lot of food vendors in the riverside walkway selling northern Thai specialties and all kinds of treats.
Surin Elephant Festival
Those who travel to Thaïlande during the third weekend in November will witness this festival. The Thai culture always has a high regard to elephants because of its participation in war and labour. People who live in Surin were popular for their ability to train and capture elephants. Today, people don`t use elephants for battles anymore or even in labour. However, the significance of these animals is commemorated every year in the Surin Elephant Round-up. The ten-day festival features the talents and skills of various elephants. Travellers can witness Pachyderm activities such as elephant competitions, battle re-enactments and breakfast bouquet.
Loi Krathong
A lot of locals and tourists consider this festival as Thailand`s most wonderful holiday. This festival pays homage to the river of goddess as the rainy season ends. During the 12 lunar month`s full moon, small krathongs are set afloat by people in Thailand on canals and rivers. While doing this, Thais release their previous grudges and make new wishes.
