Krabi festivals & events

 Krabi Festivals & Events 2007


Chinese New Year (17-19 February - The Year of the Rooster!)

This time of year you will see just what an important role ethnic Chinese play in the Thai economy – although there are plenty of festivals and celebrations throughout the year, Chinese New Year is the only time when almost everything is shut! Certainly a nationwide celebration, obviously Bangkok’s Chinatown is a ‘must see’. Parades, exhibitions, floats, Chinese Opera and one of the world’s longest Chines Dragon’s – it’s all there to see! Celebrations wind their way down Yaowarat Road from the Thai-Chinese Gate to Ratchawong Road. If you can handle the noise of the fireworks, Chinese New Year in Chinatown is a must!


Railay Beach under heavy construction (Sunday, 14 January 2007 )

We are going to move this website to a new Domain name (www.aonang-info.com)which is already available so you may want to update your bookmarks now. For the final move however, it is necessary to download and safe al files & database of this website to our computer, but we still experience heavy problems with our DSL connection due to the earthquake in Taiwan on December 26th, 2006 wich destroyed 3 important internet cables on the seabed, so it may take some more time until it's done.
In the meantime we have uploaded almost 100 pictures from the Green Spirit Psychodelic Trance Event that took place over 3 days, from Dec. 31st, 2006 till Jan. 1st, 2007 our Ao Nang Gallery II.Click here to go directly the pictures.


Macha Bucha Day (5th March)

One of the most important Buddhist celebrations - Macha Bucha Day falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month. Not particularly a festival, Macha Bucha is a Buddhist holy day and marks a point in history when 1,250 of the Lord Buddha's followers gathered to hear his sermon. Macha Bucha Day is a day when worshipers to walk three times around temples in a bid to make merit. His Majesty the King presides over religious rites at the Emerald Buddha Temple where he leads the candlelight procession around the temple. In Bangkok processions usually start at around 20:00.


Songkran Festival (Usually one day before 13 April and perhaps two days after)

The celebration of the Thai New Year turns Thailand's streets into no-go zones for anyone who doesn't want to get wet! What was originally a time for Thais to pay homage to Buddha images and to sprinkle water on their elder’s hands as a sign of respect, Songkran has become a nationwide party where everyone throws bucketfuls of water over each other. Chiang Mai is probably the most popular destination for Songkran – the city looks more like it is at war than having a good time! Outside Chiang Mai, the capital’s leading venue for Songkran is Khao San Road – Southeast Asia’s leading backpacker and budget travel centre. Although over the last few years there have been attempts to calm things down, the authorities have only made a little impact – Songkran on Khao San Road is as wild as ever with foreigners and locals alike engaging in full on water combat with each other! Great fun, and despite the time of year, more and more people are coming to Thailand for Songkran, and especially for Songkran on Khao San Road. Be careful though: With the roads wet this is the time of year accidents can happen – be alert and keep one eye on the road!


August 12^th

Queen’s Birthday.  This is celebrated as Thailand’s Mothers’ Day.


Andaman Sea Festival (Nov 2007 (annual))

The Andaman Sea Festival takes place in November and celebrates the opening of the tourist season in Krabi, the jump-off point for many travelling on to the beautiful islands throughout the region.

Water sport competitions, cultural shows and plently of good-natured fun are on the schedule for anyone who's in the area.


Floating Boats of the Sea Gypsy (On the full moon day in the 6th and 11th months of the lunar calendar)

Floating Boats of the Sea Gypsy (Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival)
On the full moon day of the 6th and 11th lunar months (around May and October)

This festival is a rare and old tradition of the sea gypsies on Ko Lanta. On the full moon day of the 6th and 11th lunar months the sea gypsies will gather at the beach near Ban Saladan to float boats in the sea in order to float away the misfortunes and bring good luck. During the ceremony, a typical southern rong-ngeng dance and music will be performed around the boats.


Opening the Andaman Sea (Krabi Boek Fa Andaman) (16 - 18 November 2007)

This festival is held annually to officially open the tourist season of the province. It features parades, cultural and musical performances, sea kayak competitions, boat races, sales of local products and other activities.


Loy Krathong Festival (24 November 2007)

One of the most popular festivals in early November is the Loy Krathong Festival. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country.“Loy” means “to float” and a “Krathong” is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-strcks, some flowers and coins.

In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes tat have been made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away.

The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry their Krathongs to the nearby rivers. After lighting candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight.

A Beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion it is called “The Noppamas Queen Contest” Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old documents refer to her as the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai King named “Lithai”. Noppamas was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion.

In Bangkok, major establishments such as leading hotels and amusement parks organize their Loy Krathong Festival and the Krathong Contest as major annual function.

For visitors to Thailand, The Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not to be missed. The festival is listed in the tourist calendar. Everyone is invited to take part and share the joy and happiness.


Andaman Sea Festival

this marks the beginning of the tourist season. Water sports and cultural competitions are held on this occasion.


December 5^th

December 5^th is King’s birthday.  Thais love their king and the day is celebrated nationally.


Official Holidays

• January 1 - New Year’s Day

• February (full moon day) - Makka Bucha

• April 6 - Chakri Day

• April 13 - Songkran, Thai New Year

• May 1 - Labor Day

• May 5 - Coronation Day

• May 7 - Ploughing Ceremony

• May (full moon day) - Visakha Bucha

• July (full moon day) - Asanha Bucha commemorates the first sermon of Buddha

• August 12 - Queen’s Birthday

• October 23 - Chulalongkorn Day

• December 5 - King’s Birthday

• December 10 - Constitution Day

• December 31 - New Year’s Eve