Bangkok

January – December

Royal Holidays

• Many of Thailand's annual events celebrate the monarchy and involve lavish public decorations and festivities. These include the birthday of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5 and HM Queen Sirikit on August 12. These days are declared public holidays. From Chitrlada Palace in the Dusit district, passing through Rajdamnoen Road until a public park, Sanam Luang, the roads are beautifully lit with huge images of the king and queen at work and at leisure.

• Specifically during HM King Bhumibol's birthday, Thai people from all walks of life – including the prime minister and their cabinet, government officials, the public, the diplomatic circle and tourists – join in toasting to His Majesty the King. A candle lighting ceremony with fireworks occurs in Sanam Luang, after speeches given by the prime minister and the king.

• Other royal holidays are Coronation Day on May 5, Chulalongkorn Day on October 23 (which honours the Chakri Dynasty's beloved ruler, Rama V) and Constitution Day on December 10.

January

• Light and Sound Show (Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya)

This spectacular light and sound presentation is utterly unique. Visitors see each episode at a different location of this World Heritage Site, travelling around on mini-trams.

• Light and Sound Show (Sukhothai Historical Park, Wat Sra Sri, Sukhothai)

This colourful mini light and sound performance recounts the former glory of this first capital of the Kingdom of Thailand and World Heritage Site.

April

• Songkran

Officially, Thailand begins the new year on January 1. At the same time, however, the old solar new year, called Songkran, continues to be a major celebration for the Thais on April 13 and 14. This is a typically Thai blend of solemn ritual and riotous festival. Offerings are brought to various temples, where both the abbot and the principal Buddha images are anointed with lustral water, while homes are given a thorough cleaning and homage is paid to senior family members. Outside, pleasure reigns in the form of lavishly decorated parades, beauty contests and buckets of water cheerfully thrown at anyone passing in the streets.

May

• Ploughing Ceremony

The royal ploughing ceremony, an ancient Brahminic ritual marking the start of the rice-planting season, had been allowed to lapse for many years until it was revived by the present king in 1960. Held every May at Sanam Luang, across from the Grand Palace, this colourful celebration reaches its climaxes with a prediction of the coming harvest for Thailand's farmers. The event is an official holiday with the presence of the prime minister, but not a public holiday.

July

• Candle Festival

The beginning of Buddhist Lent, or Phansa, is observed in the northeastern city of Ubon Ratchatani with the Candle Festival, when hundreds of beautifully carved candles – some several feet tall – are carried in gala parades before being presented to local temples.

November

• Loy Krathong

Perhaps the loveliest of Thai festivals, Loy Krathong honours the water spirits through the launching of little candlelit boats, or krathong, in ponds and waterways all over the country. This occurs on the night of the full moon in the 11th lunar month, usually November, when the rivers and canals are at their highest.