Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [2]
May & June
ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY
Sanam Luang (Map)
To kick off the official rice-planting season in early May, either the king or the crown prince presides over this ancient Brahman ritual that culminates in sacred white oxen ploughing the earth and priests declaring it a good or bad year for farmers. Thousands of farmers from across Thailand gather to watch.
VISAKHA BUCHA
17 May 2011, 4 Jun 2012
Visakha Bucha, on the full moon of the 6th lunar month, is considered the date of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinibbana (passing away). Activities are centred on the local wát, with candlelit processions, chanting and sermonising; a larger festival is held at Sanam Luang.
July & August
ASANHA BUCHA & KHAO PHANSA
15 & 16 Jul 2011, 2 & 3 Aug 2012
This Buddhist festival, on the full moon of the 8th lunar month, commemorates the day the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment and is marked at Theravada Buddhist temples with a candlelit procession at night. The following day is kôw pan·săh, the beginning of the Buddhist rains retreat when young men traditionally enter the monkhood for the rainy season, and all monks sequest themselves in a monastery for three months. It’s a good time to observe a Buddhist ordination.
BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
www.bangkokfilm.org
Dates and venues are notoriously fickle for Bangkok’s two film festivals, but this one usually runs for 10 days and was most recently held in late August. Screenings were primarily at Paragon Cineplex. About 150 films are shown, with an emphasis on Asian cinema. Events end with the awarding of the festival’s Golden Kinnaree. For popular films, book ahead.
September
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DANCE & MUSIC
www.bangkokfestivals.com
Usually held at the Thailand Cultural Centre, this month-long festival presents international and local orchestral music, jazz, ballet, opera and world music.
THAILAND INTERNATIONAL SWAN BOAT RACES
www.thailandgrandfestival.com
More than 20 international teams race traditional Thai-style long boats in various classes (the largest has 55 paddlers) along Mae Nam Chao Phraya in Ayuthaya.
October
WORLD GOURMET FESTIVAL
www.fourseasons.com/bangkok
The Four Seasons Hotel hosts Bangkok’s premier food event, bringing together international chefs for a 10-day feast.
NAVARATRI HINDU FESTIVAL
Starts 8 Oct 2010, 28 Sep 2011, 16 Oct 2012
Centred on the Sri Mariamman Temple on Th Silom, this nine-day Hindu festival sees Th Silom pedestrianised as men worship shrines and pierce themselves before smashing coconuts on the sidewalks. Attendees should wear white.
VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
During the first nine days of the ninth lunar month, this Chinese-Buddhist festival, têt·sà·gahn gin jair, sees streetside vendors serving meatless meals to help cleanse the body, all announced with yellow banners and white clothes. Most of the action is in Chinatown.
BANGKOK DESIGN FESTIVAL
www.bangkokdesignfestival.com
Ten days of events, exhibitions, lectures and workshops are held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and other ‘hip places’. Each year has a theme; 2009’s was ‘Balancing the Future: Innovation, Creativity and Sustainability’.
KING CHULALONGKORN DAY
23 Oct
Rama V is honoured on the anniversary of his death at his revered Royal Plaza statue. Crowds of devotees come to make merit with incense and flower garlands.
WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
www.worldfilmbkk.com
Bangkok’s other, less commercial film festival, usually held from late October to early November.
November
LOI KRATHONG
21 Nov 2010, 10 Nov 2011, 28 Nov 2012
www.bangkoktourist.com
On the night of the full moon of the 12th lunar month, small lotus-shaped grà·tong (baskets or boats made of a section of banana trunk for flotation, banana leaves, flowers, incense, candles and a coin – don’t use the styrofoam versions) are floated on Mae Nam Chao Phraya and other rivers, lakes and canals