Holidays and Festivals in May
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May 1
Nation Labour Day
(public holiday) |  |
May 5
Coronation Day
National holiday in commemoration of the coronation of his Majesty King Bhumipol in 1950. | |
In May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
In the presence of the king and Queen the official start of the rice planting season is announced with a ceremony at Sanam Luang Square near Wat Phra Keo/Grand Palace in Bangkok. According to tradition the date is fixed by Brahman priests every year in May. The king appoints a “prince of the field” who uses a festively decorated carriage pulled by oxen to plough the “blessed” seeds. | |
Second Weekend in May
Rocket Festival
(Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival)
In the dry northeastern part of Thailand, huge rockets constructed of bamboo are fired before the start of the monsoon season at Yasothon. With this ceremony farmers want “to make sure” that there will be sufficient rain for the rice planting season. The most beautiful rockets and the best flights are awarded a prize. The rocket festival is also known as Bun Bang Festival and includes folk dancing and singing performances.
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In May
Visakha Bucha
(public holiday)
This is the most important Buddhist holiday and it takes place on the full moon day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar. It commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Believers go to their temples and walk around the main building in a candle-lit procession at nightfall. | |
