THAI CALENDAR
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Since a few decades, the western New Year's Day is also a public holiday
in Thailand. But for Thai people, the traditional and most popular New Year's Day
happens in April. It is called "SONGKRAN". There is a 543 years difference
between the Buddhist calendar and the Gregorian calendar. Year 2013 in Europe is year
2556 in Thailand.
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During this day, feasts organized by children
happen. Children are highly respected in Thailand.
In a bus an adult often gives his seat to a child but may not
give it to an elderly person. This day always happens
on the second saturday of January.
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This day is an occasion for pupils to make merit for their teachers (ไหว้ครู). Teachers are highly worshipped in Thailand for their knowledge. Pupils do not dare to embarrass their teachers by asking questions.
During this day, Thai King Rama IX visits the army and watches a military parade.
Thailand has more than 60 millions of inhabitants. Around 6 millions of them have Chinese ancestors, who immigrated to Thailand last century. So Chinese New year's day is an important public holiday.
It comes from the day when 1250 disciples gathered to listen to Buddha's Dharma speech (ธรรมะ) after his enlightment.
No public holidays during this month.
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This public holiday commemorates
the Chakri dynasty. The current King is
the ninth King of the Chakri dynasty. A Royal ceremony is
performed by the King to pay respect to King Rama I the Great, the
founder of the Chakri Dynasty.
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As 06th April is a Saturday, Monday 08th is given as a substitution public holiday.
The "SONGKRAN" festival happens during the hot season in mid April. This festival happens in all Buddhist "THEREVADA" countries, i.e. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar). Songkran is the ancient New Year's Day. Now the official New Year's Day happens on the 1st January. But the most popular feast in Thailand is still "SONGKRAN".
As 14th April is a Sunday, Tuesday 16th is given as a substitution public holiday.
The first day of May is a public holiday commemorating the workers.
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This public holiday is a day to
commemorate the coronation of current King Rama IX.
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As 05th May is a Sunday, Monday 06th is given as a substitution public holiday.
The Royal ploughing is done every year by Brahminic priests. This event happens in the front of the Royal temple "WAT PHRA KAEW" (วัดพระแก้ว) on the big field called "SANAM LUANG" (สนามหลวง).
This ceremony symbolises the beginning of the sowing period. Brahminic priests bless seeds and make symbolic furrows using a plough pulled by buffalos. Once the ceremony is over, onlookers run to the furrows in order to get the blessed seeds. Those seeds are supposed to bring good harvests.
This is a public holiday.
This day is a Buddhist public holiday. This day commemorates the birth, the enlightment and the death (entry into the nirvana) of Buddha. Temples throughout the country are crowded with people listening to sermons about Dharma (Buddha's teaching). In the evening there is a candlelit procession around the main building of the temple (โบสถ์) containing the Buddha statues.
No public holidays during this month.
This day is not a public holiday but banks are closed to observe the Mid Year Closing Day.
This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It happens one day just before the Buddhist Lent day. This day commemorates the first sermon of Buddha to his five first disciples. One of them asked to become a monk. So this day is sacred because it deals with Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Buddhist community). There are also candlelit processions.
This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It is the beginning of the Buddhist rain retreat which lasts three months. During this period monks are not allowed to sleep outside their temple. Thai people buy big candles and offer them to temples.
This public holiday is Thailand Mother's Day. This day is the birthday of the current Thai Queen. On this day all the buildings of Thailand are covered up with images of H.M. The Queen.
As 12nd August is a Sunday, Monday 13rd is given as a substitution public holiday.
This day is celebrated by the Chinese community. The Hungry Ghost Festival is a major Buddhist and Taoist event. Hungry ghosts are the restless spirits of people who did not have a funeral. There is no one visiting their graves and they do not receive the gifts that Chinese people would take to their ancestors to pay respects. They miss out on food and spirit money.
The vegetarian festival lasts until the 22 October included.
This day is a religious event. The three months rain retreat is over for monks. Monks are allowed to go out of temples. Robes offering ceremonies ("THOT KATHIN" - ทอดกฐิน) happen everywhere in Thailand. Thai people choose poor remote Buddhist temples and bring there clothes, food for the monks. "THOT KATHIN" ceremonies last one month.
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This is a public holiday day to commemorate the
Rama V or Chulalongkorn's wise reign over Thailand. Thanks to
him, Thailand did not become a French or English colony even if
Thailand lost his leadership over Laos, Cambodia and the northern
provinces of Malaysia. During his reign, Thailand became a modern
country.
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Loi Krathong is a religious event which happens every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (first full moon day of November). All Thai people buy or make a "KRATHONG". It is made of styrofoam surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle in the middle. During the evening Thai people go to places where there is a river, a pound to launch their "KRATHONG".
During this day, Thai Royal guards parade in front of the members of the royal family and pledge allegiance to H.M. the King. They are dressed in colorful uniforms, reminding the time when coloured flags served as rallying points during the battle.
This public holiday is Thailand Father's day. This day is the birthday of the current Thai King, Rama IX. All the buildings of Thailand are covered up with symbols of the monarchy and the King.
Since 1932 Thailand is a democracy. Before 1932, Thailand was called Siam and was under the total rule of the King. Now Thailand is a democracy. The king has still some power, but just a moral power over Thai people, who worship him for all its kindness and goodness. Thailand is similar to English system, i.e. a King with no real power, a government and no president. This public holiday is the day to commemorate the Thai constitution.
This public holiday is the last day of the year. The New Year holiday and "SONGKRAN" period have always high accident tolls. During New year holiday 2002, 501 people were killed in traffic accidents. Many were found to have been caused by reckless and drunk motorcyclists.
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