About Thailand festivals and public holidays 2012 ...

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.

No, this is not the Katoey Eyelash Fluttering festival ...

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.

Royal Barge Procession, December 5

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?

Three hot dates for your Thailand calendar 2011 ...

Hurry, hurry, hurry!!! Amazing Thailand Grand Sale is NOW on till August 15. It’s a nationwide shopping extravaganza, and when it’s in the world’s best-value destination, you know the deals are sensational.

15,000 shops, departments stores, spas, airlines,  hotels, hospitals, duty free, jewllery, even golf courses are dropping their shorts for you with discounts of up to 80%.

More important events in the Thailand calendar 2011:

5 December 2011: to commemorate the auspisicous  occasion of His Majesty the King’s 7^th cycle birthday anniversary a whole raft of celebrations are planned. If you’ve never witnessed a Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya River, make sure you attend this timeless spectacle. Is there a grander pageant on this planet? None that I've seen so far.

9 November 2011 – 15 February 2012: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011. Also part of His Majesty’s celebrations, this annual flower show is held in the Chiang Mai winter, a beautiful time to visit the north. 30 countries set up colourful and charming displays over 80 hectares … so make sure you take time to stop and smell the roses -- after all, orchids have no smell, jing jing.

Of course there are hundreds of other Amazing Thailand festivals and events you can catch year round, too.