Three Must See Thai Festivals.

Today’s guest post is from Kelsi at Some Sojourns.

During my 27 months of Peace Crops service in Thailand I grew to love Thai festivals. Partly, because it meant vacation days, but mostly because it was Thailand at its best with parties, parades, traditions and rituals. There are plenty of festivals and holidays to chose from, but my favorites are Song Kran, Pii Da Khon and Loy Kratong.

Song Kran – April

Kelsi after the water fight.

My first Song Kran came the week I moved to site. I was immediately involved in decorating a parade float, teasing dancers’ hair and then dressed in my best flowered shirt to walk in the parade through the village.

Respecting the elders at Song Kran.

Song Kran, or Thai New Year, is a time when people return home to visit their families and pay respect to the family elders. The highlight of the festival is celebrated by splashing water on each other to represent the cleansing of sins, a welcomed relief from the unrelenting heat of the hot season. Popular sites to celebrate Song Kran are Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Khon Kaen.

Pii Da Khon – June

Even though this festival only takes place in the province of Leoi, people all over Thailand told me stories of the masks and ghosts at Pii Da Khon. During my second year of service I was able to meet up with some volunteers to experience the festival.

Pii Da Khon is celebrated by dressing up in large wooden masks complemented by costumed attire and parading through the streets and temple. The purpose of this festival is to scare away the evil spirits from the houses and fields.

Loy Kratong – November

My site was in the province of Sukothai, the location of the first Loy Kratong celebration in Thailand. Starting in October we were singing songs about kratongs, practicing performances and decorating the village and temple grounds. I loved this festival my first year and the second year my parents were able to attend as well. It was the perfect way to introduce them to my village and Thai culture.

Part of the festival involves releasing a kratong, a banana tree section covered in flowers and candles, into the water. This is an offering of thanks to the Goddess of the Water and a wish for the future. The festival also includes dancing, shows and fireworks. Popular places to celebrate Loy Kratong are Sukothai, Chiang Mai and Tak.

Bio: Not only is Kelsi a Peace Corp volunteer in Thailand she also writes some pretty funny posts on her site, Some Sojourns. You should definitely go check out her blog if you haven’t yet, her humorous insights about life in Thailand will make her blog your newest RSS reader addition!  You can also follow her on Twitter @SomeSojourns

**All photos in this post courtesy of Kelsi.

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