Bangkok is a unfailing source of all kinds of cultural and religious events throughout the year. Colorful parades, graceful yet magnificent processions and festivals featuring global films and music have become a part of the everday life in Bangkok. Note that the dates of some events are a subject of change because of the differences in calendars, so the best way to be informed is to check www.tourismthailand.org for details. All in all, the city is abundant in interesting events here a few notes about some of the most interesting ones.
|
| Bangkok film festival 2005 - logo |
Bangkok International Film Festival could be compared to Cannes Film Festival although only to a certain extent. The festival started in 2002 when a lot of international celebraties attended the event (Jeremy Irons, Catherine Deneuve, Michael Douglas, Steven Seagal) and thereby raised the rating of Asian cinema altogether. Although its global popularity somewhat decreased because of the Festival's primal orientation towards Asian cinema, it still enjoys respect among many filmmakers and audiences.
Chinese New Year seems to be the most colorful and joyful event of the year. Chinese descendants in Bangkok celebrate it with fireworks, dancing and housecleaning that lasts for a whole week. The focal point of all celebrations is in Bangkok's Chinatown. Check www.tourismthailand.org for exact dates.
Songkran is the celebration of the Lunar New Year and it is held in the period between the 13th and 15th April. The celebration involves showing respect to monks by sprinkling water on their hands and bathing of Buddha images. This has been a national holiday ever since 1940 when the date of the New Year was moved to January 1st.
Traditions on this day are numerous but most of them involve throwing big amounts of water on the streets which turns out to be convenient since Songkran occurs in the hottest time of the year, right after the dry season. Some Thais go to wats to pray and present the monks with donations. All in all, this is the merriest Thai holiday, but be prepared to the nearly unbearable heat.
Miss Jumbo Queen Contest - Thais along with many other nations have always linked size with power and respect. That is why monks are alyways sitting in elevated spaces in temple and your head should never be higher than the monk's. Thais celebrate every many aspects large proportions. one of them is Miss Jumbo Queen Contest which allows only women with 80 or more kilograms to enter the peagant. The event takes place in early may at Nakhon Pathom's Samphran Elephant Park.
The Royal ploughing ceremony marks the beginning of the rice season at Sanam Luang, a royal green district and the home to the famous Wat Phra Kaew and the place of royal funerals and other ceremonies.
International Music and Dance Festival is held twice in one year, occuring in June and September.
Bangkok Jazz Festival
Birthday of the Queen held on 12th of August is also recognized as Mother's Day in Thailand. After the charity events a rich and colorful musical and cultural festival takes place in Sanam Luang. Celebrations in Bangkok revolve around the likes of The Ratchadamnoen and the Grand Palace.
Vegetarian festival lasts for ten days and is mainly about street vendors selling meatless dishes. Most of them can be found in Bangkok's Chinatown. The festival has derived from Chinese traditions.
Loi Krathong takes places at the time of full moon when small baskets decorated with flowers and candles, incense and a coins are 'launched' from the riversides of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya. The tradition probably comes from the ancient Sukhotai kingdom and although is best preserved in northern region of Thailand, Bangkok also organizes a very beautiful event. This is said to be the most stunning of all Thai festivals because of the impressive image of countless blinking lights floating on rivers in addition to the overall gentle, subtle and elegant ambience the event always displays.
Fat Festival is organized by Bangkok's radio station of the same name and it features many Bangkok's distinguished indie bands.
Bangkok Pride is organized by city's gay oriented organizations and businesses with parties and parades that last for seven days.
King's birthday is celebrated every year on December 5th with lots of fireworks and parades.
Bangkok Jazz Festival has been one of the city's trademarks since 2003 whose goal is both to stimulate tourism industry and establish Thailand as a musical mecca in the entire Asia. The festival takes place in Sanam Sua Pa, lasts for three days and has more and more global recognition every year.
