Festivals and Annual Events

People gather at the Central World Plaza in Bangkok to welcome the New Year. Thais and foreigners alike love partying hard. Music and some amazing laser light shows are to be looked forward to.

This is an extremely interesting and adventurous festival that is unique to Bangkok. The venue for this annual event is the Chao Phraya River along which the city is situated. Over 20 international teams take part in this competition. Tourists should not miss the sight of these beautifully decorated and painted boats that take the shape of swans.

The Thailand Cultural Centre is host to this annual event that showcases the performing arts- these include ballet, opera, singing, dancing, jazz and symphony. Local and foreign talent from around the globe participates in this wonderful festival.

This is an annual event. This festival entails the King partaking in an ancient Brahman ritual to welcome the rice planting season. The venue is Sanam Luang.

This is an annual event held on Yaowarat Road. Multiple shows go on side by side; cultural shows, fashion shows, screening of Chinese films, etc. Be sure to try out some of the delectable food available here.

This is a famous annual charity event held at the Banyan Tree Bangkok. Enthusiasts climb up over 1090 steps to where the race begins. Prizes are distributed to participants and winners by a member of the Thai Royal Family.

This annual race is run in soaring temperatures and at times extreme heat. Professionals take part in this tough race which is of three kinds- 10 kilometers long, 21 kilometers long and 42 kilometers long.

This is when Thais festively celebrate the New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. Thais party hard at this time of the year. The venue is Sanam Luang. Water fights are one of the main activities during this fun filled festival.

This is an annual four day event held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center. Local and international firms display their merchandise comprising of textiles as well as stitched garments

This festival is held annually on the 12th of August. Visitors should not miss Ratchadamneon Avenue which is the beautifully decorated and well lit road in the city, as well as the Grand Palace.

This event is held annually. It began in 2003 and attracts all the big names in Jazz amongst the Thai themselves and international performers too. The venue is Sanam Ror 1 Pan 1 Ror Or. Thousands of people flock here to be a part of this festival.

This annual festival is held in September every year and is part of the ATP tour. Tennis enthusiasts will enjoy matches in the IMPACT arena where well known players come to battle it out.

This event is held on a monthly basis for one day at a time. The venue is the River City Center and antiques are up for auction from Bangkok itself as well as other South East Asian countries such as Vietnam, Burma, Japan and China. These antiques range from ceramics, porcelain and woodcarvings to bronze and silver ware. Beautiful pieces are available at more than reasonable prices.

This is a grand event held every year to celebrate the birthday of the Thai King. The ceremony comprises of a procession from the statue of Chulalongkorn to the Royal Field [Sanam Luang]. New monks are ordinated, Thais promise to abide by the Buddhist commandments and leave food, flowers and money out of respect for the gods. There is a candle lighting ceremony where Thais sing 'God save the King' followed by fireworks and other entertainment. This occasion provides the loyal citizens an opportunity to express their loyalty to their king.

This festival takes place annually and mainly involves villagers shooting bamboo rockets into the sky as a gesture to religious deities to send rain much needed during the rice plantation season.

This festival takes place annually in memory of Buddha. It involves Thais dressing up in costumes to re-tell the tale of the spirits who came to welcome Buddha back home.

This event has been taking place annually since 1998. It is a competitive festival where new films are screened and prizes distributed to the best actor/ actress/ director/ cinematographer/screenwriter and film. There are multiple venues of this festival in the major cinema houses scattered around Bangkok.

This annual festival is a treat for food lovers. The venue is Yaowarat Road in Chinatown. Numerous stalls are set up where sweet and sour Thai and Chinese dishes are offered for tasting. Visitors will thoroughly enjoy sampling these scrumptious dishes against the back drop of music that is played and performed by locals.

This festive annual charity event is held every October. It consists of a 6 or 12 kilometer race which begins unconventionally at midnight. Hundreds of participants and even more onlookers swarm the streets of Bangkok to cheer them on. Everyone is out to have a good time