Before you firm up your dates to travel to Thailand, have a quick glance at a list of its amazing festivals and public holidays.
A site like Thailand Festivals or Thailand Festivals and Events 2012 will do the trick.
Well, you can't have a quick look at the list -- and that's my point -- there are soooo many events, celebrations, and commemorations each year, there's barely any time to fall into the usual 9-5 workaday routine in any one week of the year.
Everyone's heard of Songkran and Loy Krathong. But what about the Monkey Buffet Festival in November. Or the Phuket Vegetarian festival in Phuket (which, ironically, features more bloody meat than you'll see anywhere else ...). Then there's Thai Elephant Day in March. Buffalo Racing. Ploughing Ceremony. Then there's rocket festivals, horse-and-cart festivals, and the annual Katoey Eyelash Fluttering festival.
Ok, I made that last one up. But you get the idea ...
On the upside: check the events calendar and try to fit in with an event or occasion in the area you're travelling to to get a feel for the free-wheeling, fun-loving Thai lifestyle, jing jing.
On the downside: check that it's not a Buddhist holiday (like the Candle Festival being celebrated this weekend) as it means that all bars are shut and no alcohol is served in deference to the occasion.
So you might find yourself with your one and only big night out in Bangkok planned, and a glass of lemonade in your hand.
All of which reminds me: Why am I working on a public holiday?
A site like Thailand Festivals or Thailand Festivals and Events 2012 will do the trick.
Well, you can't have a quick look at the list -- and that's my point -- there are soooo many events, celebrations, and commemorations each year, there's barely any time to fall into the usual 9-5 workaday routine in any one week of the year.
 |
| No, this is not the Katoey Eyelash Fluttering festival ... |
Ok, I made that last one up. But you get the idea ...
On the upside: check the events calendar and try to fit in with an event or occasion in the area you're travelling to to get a feel for the free-wheeling, fun-loving Thai lifestyle, jing jing.
 |
| Royal Barge Procession, December 5 |
So you might find yourself with your one and only big night out in Bangkok planned, and a glass of lemonade in your hand.
All of which reminds me: Why am I working on a public holiday?
No comments:
Post a Comment
DO please leave your comments below ... always happy to hear feedback and suggestions from engaging fellow travellers (but if you are an auto-bot kindly $#@& off)