skanditours.net

• January 1 - New Year's Day
• February (full moon day) - Makka Bucha
• April 6 - Chakri Day

October, or around that time, sees the X-Games being held in Phuket. Here the participants compete on an international level in sports such as skateboarding, rock climbing and similar activities.

December 5 is the King's Birthday. The King is much revered throughout Thailand, something that is probably unique in the world today.

One of the most beautiful and moving sights are the festivities relating to the annual festival of Loi Krathon held in November.

Held in early October is celebrated in Phuket and Trang only. For this almost weeklong celebration, Chinese Buddhists eat only vegetarian food.

Local Wats (Buddhist Temples) celebrate by holding candlelit processions. A tourist may take part in these parades and it can prove great fun. TIP: Lady visitors please note; a monk may not touch a woman so please show respect and keep your distance.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony held on May 14, celebrates the official commencement of the rice-planting season.

The most frenetic festival in the country is that of Songkran, the Luna New Year. Held from the 13th to 15th April each year…it's a wet one! Traditionally it was celebrated by Buddha images being bathed with water and the showing of respect to monks and elders.

Chinese New Year, a time of firecrackers, lion dancers parading through the streets and time to 'spring-clean' the house, is celebrated in February by all Chinese-Thais.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival held in the first few days of February is noted for its colour.

Here one can watch demonstrations of woodcarving and other local handicrafts as well as purchase the products produced.

The Bo Sang Umbrella Fair held in January in the small village of Bo Sang, near Chiang Mai, derives its livelihood from making gaily painted paper umbrellas.