How to celebrate the New Year in Thailand

If you ask any of the locals how they celebrate the new year in Thailand, you are likely to get the answer question, "which one is it?" Yes, this country is exotic even on such a seemingly obvious topic as the changing of the calendar year. The culture of Thai society is a mix of local Thai traditions, patterns typical of Chinese civilization, and elements of Western culture.

When and how do we celebrate the new year in Thailand? The three layers of Thai culture listed above, although in conflict with each other, somehow exist together. Therefore, it is not surprising that Thais celebrate the new year in each of these three traditions. Chronologically, first in the European tradition, then in the Chinese tradition, and lastly in their own Thai tradition.

The European New Year in Thailand

The traditional New Year, celebrated from December 31 to January 1, has been celebrated in Thailand relatively recently, about 70 years ago. This is largely due to the country's policy of openness to the rest of the world.

Celebrations are taking place all over the country. They are especially widespread in major cities. New Year in Pattaya or Bangkok collects on the squares and streets of tens and hundreds of thousands of people, mostly foreigners, but Thai young people also do not mind to join the general revelry. The city turns into a big open-air: live music plays, held various competitions, organized performances. New Year's Eve itself is, of course, fireworks and music in the open air.

The European New Year in Thailand falls on the peak of the tourist season. The large number of people is not the only feature of this holiday. Those planning to celebrate the year in Thailand should be aware that the prices for holidays at this time are very high, and available accommodations are very few. There is a lot of excitement in cafes and restaurants.

If you plan to celebrate the New Year in Thailand in an organized way at some place with a good view to watch the midnight fireworks, you should reserve a table by December 25. New Year's Eve dinner with local entertainment, contests and possibly a raffle will cost $60-$100 per person.

If we talk about mass New Year's Eve leisure, holidaymakers should keep in mind that in this country it is not customary all-night festivities. All public events begin on December 31 at 18-19 hours and end at midnight with fireworks. Let's take a closer look at what is happening in the cities of Thailand on New Year's Eve.

Where to celebrate the New Year in Bangkok:

• Prayer at the Wat Arun Buddhist Temple. You can watch and participate in the sacred action from 22.00 to 0.30.
• Near the Central World Mall on Ratchadamri Rd. Beginning at 6 p.m., a large number of people gather around a huge improvised Christmas tree.
• Near the Asiatique SKY ferris wheel on Charoenkrung Rd. The entire evening there is a concert, DJs, and the celebration ends with a fireworks display.
• In the Mega Bangna Mall parking lot in front of the main entrance (near Suvarnabhumi). From 7 p.m. until midnight there is a musical event on the stage set up. The final fireworks are mandatory.
• A big crowd gathers near Crystal Design Center between Ekkamai and Ram Inthra Rd.

Places and activities for the New Year in Pattaya:

• The main "Christmas tree" of the city is installed near the Bali Hai Bay Hotel at the end of Walking Street. A large number of people flock here. Every year a stage is set for musicians and DJs to perform. The program ends with a festive fireworks display.
• For those who want to be away from the big party in Pattaya for New Year's Eve, but still want to see the fireworks, the observation deck with the letters PATTAYA near the Royal Cliff is the place to go.
• At the Bali Hai pier there is an annual New Year's concert program. It is quite crowded, there are many young people who traditionally like to celebrate the new year in Pattaya at this pier.

The main events of the New Year celebrations in Phuket are held on the beaches of Patong and Karon, as well as in Phuket Town. However, in the latter, most of the public is represented by the local population. Given that Phuket is a Thai tourist mecca, there are a lot of people walking around. Otherwise, the program is the same as discussed above for the other cities.

It should be noted that most Thais do not celebrate the European New Year in the conventional sense of the word. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, it is customary to visit temples where appropriate religious events are held, make offerings to monks, perform other acts of kindness, and listen to sermons by clerics. At this time, Thais are in the habit of dressing in new clothes, as they believe that they will bring them good and good luck in the new year.

Chinese Lunar New Year in Thailand

The Chinese, who settled in Thailand for centuries, brought with them not only elements of their material culture but also worldview concepts. Chronology based on the lunar cycle is one of them. Despite the fact that the Chinese Lunar New Year is not traditionally Thai, the Thais have long become accustomed to this holiday and celebrate it colorfully and in a big way.

As in China itself, the Lunar New Year in Thailand is a 3-day weekend. Traditional carnival processions take place in the streets of all cities. Public spaces are decorated with red lanterns.

In the thick of the mass festivities, legendary mythological scenes involving "dragons" and "snakes" are played out, and people dress up in bright and unusual traditional costumes. National music is played everywhere and pyrotechnic effects are widely used. If you're lucky, you can see even more extreme street performances: yogis, walking on coals and knives. In general, the Lunar New Year in Thailand - an interesting and educational for the Western man event. It is definitely worth seeing.

It falls in the season with good weather conditions - late January - early February:

• In 2017, the holiday will be celebrated from January 28 to 30;
• in 2018. - February 16 to 18;
• in 2019 - February 5-7;
• in 2020. - January 25-27.

Songkran

Finally, the most authentic Thai New Year falls at the height of local summer - April - and lasts 3 days. The date of Songkran is fixed at April 13-15.

As religious people, Thais on Songkran days pay great attention to spiritual purification and self-improvement. There are religious rituals in temples everywhere. On these days it is customary to pray a lot, make donations to temples and monks, and receive a "blessing.

Publicly, Songkran is celebrated much more widely, massively, and cheerfully than other "new years. There are performances on the streets and a variety of festive events. Since this time in Thailand is very hot, established the tradition of mass pouring water on each other - from buckets, basins, other utensils, bottles, water guns and similar devices. At the festival, everyone walks wet and often colorful because of the use of special colored powders during the performances on the streets.

For a foreigner, Songkran is always a discovery and an interesting experience. The holiday is celebrated everywhere in Thailand in a similar way, whether it is the new year in Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Samui Island.