Thailand is a country with a rich and varied cultural life. In addition to the country’s native culture and religion, visitors to the region over the centuries have made their mark as well. This is how it’s possible to find the best Chinese New Year’s celebration in the Portuguese Quarter of Phuket! Home to countless festivals throughout its extended geography, here are three Thai festivals not to be missed.
Loy Krathong
This “festival of lights” celebrates the full moon appearing in the twelfth lunar month (this typically means sometimes in November). The origins of the festival are lost in history, but it is observed annually as people set out personally decorated little floats into the waters as a means to promote good fortune for the coming year. This festival is not a wild one as others are, but is instead one of quiet beauty. As everyone sets their altars afloat, each lit by incense and candles, the entire seashore is literally alight with good intentions and thoughts. As visitor, you can easily participate in this festival. Street vendors will sell you a float, called “krathongs” that you can decorate. Typically, people will include some personal items, like hair or nail clippings. Adding a few coins as well to help wash away past sins isn’t uncommon either. If your krathong floats away from you, your good wishes should come true. If it floats back to shore, that is a less auspicious sign. Fortunately, the Phuket weather at this time of year brings with it breezes moving off shore.
Songkran
In sharp contrast to peaceful, reflective dignity of the Loy Krathong festival, the Songkran festival is an all-out water fight. It occurs during April and don’t even think about trying to stay dry. This is the time of the lunar new year when the young turn to their elders for blessing. The ritual is known as “rod nahm dum hua,” where the young pour scented water over the head of their elders. After this thoughtful ritual however, the drenching begins. People will throw water at and on anyone who walks by. Not only will you not be exempt, you can happily participate. The water is also honored during the Songkran festival through the releasing of fish and birds into the wild. Phuket has one of the notable release ceremonies, led by the recently crowned Miss Songkran.
Chinese New Year
This celebration of the Chinese new lunar year is actively celebrated in many areas of Thailand. It usually occurs during late January or February. The loud, raucous festival has its Dragon Procession and voluminous lighting of firecrackers. The festival lasts for two days. On midnight of New Year’s Eve, tradition holds that all doors and windows must be opened so the old year can depart. Red is the main color of the festival, with many people dressed in it and decorating their doorways with it. You’ll also find traditional foods of well-being offered, such as tangerines, oranges, and dried fruit. February is typically a dry month in Thailand, so the cooler (relatively speaking) nights of the Phuket weather during the festival makes it an easy one to enjoy.
It can be said that most people or even maybe all people in this world like traveling. It is because traveling is one of the most effective ways to drive away the stresses people have in their minds. Well, you know that most adults in this world work routinely everyday. It makes them want to do some travelings when they have spare times. Traveling itself gives new experience to the one who does it. The new experience usually can make the traveler (the one who does traveling) feel happy and have his/her mind refreshed. This is why most people like traveling. However, do you know that traveling can also become a disaster when bad things happen to the traveler?
