River of Kings Light & Sound Show: A happy blend of old Thai cultural performance together with modern-day pyrotechnics light up the Chao Phraya River for two weeks every February. The festival is sponsored by the Bangkok Tourist Bureau, the Royal Household and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Generally there are two shows nightly, at 7pm and 9pm, and tickets at 400 Baht for a seat on a floating stadium can be reserved by calling the Grand Palace office, 02222 8181.
The Thai New Year: Songkran is probably the best-known and most-enjoyed festival in Thailand. The date varies according to the solar calendar but is normally in the middle of April, when the days and nights are the same length. Thais spend the morning visiting temples to honor their relatives and then spring-cleaning their homes. Then everyone hits the streets and starts water fights. It is lots of fun if you don't mind getting soaked. In Bangkok look for heavy action on the main tourist thoroughfares.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony: This Bangkok festival is held in mid-May and marks the start of the rice-growing season. This ancient Brahmin festival was reintroduced in 1960 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and takes place at Sanam Luang, the large oval field in front of the Grand Palace. Both the King and Queen attend so there are lots of colorful traditional costumes. Object of the ceremony is to make predictions about the year ahead.
Visakha Puja: This nationwide festival on May 17 marks the birth and death of Buddha and is considered to be the holiest of days. Sermons are given at all temples, and in the evening candlelit processions move around the places of worship.
Khao Phansa: This day marks the start of the Buddhist Lent, which lasts for approximately three months, from the first day of the waning moon of the 8th lunar month (July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the 11th lunar month (October). During this time, monks stay inside their temples to meditate and study. It is no coincidence that this is also the height of the rice-growing season, which extends from May to November - the tradition was begun to prevent monks from trampling upon rice paddies when they ventured out to receive alms.
The Queen's Birthday: A nationwide celebration on August 12 to mark Queen Sirikit's birthday. Thais everywhere decorate their homes, but the decorations are particularly spectacular in Bangkok around the Grand Palace. The day is also Mother's Day in Thailand.
Thai Beer Festival: The Thai breweries organize this event annually between October and December to show how well their products go with Thai food. Tourists are expected to join in the eating and drinking, and to watch the musical performances that are staged all over the city. Most of the activity takes place at the World Trade Center.
Loy Krathong, Festival of Lights: This nationwide festival is celebrated when the moon is full, sometime in mid-November. Around the kingdom, floats - called krathongs - are decorated with flowers and candles and set adrift in the sea, on rivers and in canals. As the floats drift away prayers are offered that everything bad will float away too. It's also a time for thanking the water for all the good things it has brought. Parties abound once the floats are gone. This is one of the most moving and attractive of all Thai festivals.
Trooping of the Color: Brits won't need telling what this all about. It takes place in December every year in The Royal Plaza, Bangkok. Plenty of pomp and pageantry as the royal guards swear allegiance to the King and march in full ceremonial dress.
The King's Birthday: There is celebration throughout the land on December 5 when the King celebrates his birthday. In Bangkok there is a spectacular firework display near the Grand Palace.
River of Kings Festival: A new event promoting the wonders of the Chao Phraya river is sponsored by an alliance of the six luxury hotels with riverside locations - the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, the Shangri-La, the Millennium Hilton, the Peninsula Bangkok, the Oriental and the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. The alliance points out this event will be different and a separate event from the annual River of Kings Light & Sound Show, which is put on by the Royal Household in February.