| 
Songkran (Thai
new year)
Water throwing festivities |
Songkran is the most exuberant nationwide
festival in the Thai calender. It is a public holiday that is held
over three days from the 13th-15th April and marks the start of the
Buddhist New Year. Songkran has evolved over the centuries from a
purely religious event where Buddha images were bathed in water to
purify them, into a bigger celebration of water. Today everybody gets
wet as buckets of water are thrown over everyone in the streets. Songkran's
originals customs are still maintained, where younger Thais pay there
respects to monks and their elders by sprinkling their hands with
scented water.
Full Moon Party (Koh Pha Ngan)
World famous fullmoon party |
Once a month at Haad Rin Beach on Koh Pha
Ngan (about a 20 minute speedboat ride from Koh Samui), 10,000 or more people make it a party to remember along the
one-kilometre beach. People party from dusk till dawn and
sometimes onto the next day. Thai and western DJ's play sounds to cater
for all party goers tastes from Hip-Hop, House, Trance, Garage and
Jungle. International visitors and Thai celebrate this world famous
event together.
Fullmoon party dates for the end of 2005 are:
 March 24th, 2005
April 23rd, 2005
May 22nd, 2005
June 21st, 2005
July 23nd, 2005
August 20th, 2005
September 18th, 2005
October 18th, 2005
November 16th, 2005
December 16th, 2005
Samui Regatta - Tropical Island Regatta 2005
22nd - 28th May 2005.
The biggest event ON the Gulf of
Thailand - be sure not to miss it! |
Koh Samui is gearing up for an increased number
of entries at the 2nd International Yachting Regatta, At this early
stage sixteen keel boats and twenty plus beach catamarans have already
indicated a firm intention to participate. Many of these are new
entries that have been attracted by the good word spread by the
competitors that made it to the inaugural event in 2002. This second
regatta is again organised under the auspices of the Yacht Racing
Association of Thailand and Royal Varuna Yacht Club and in conjunction
with the and the Royal Thai Navy. (Click
here for more....)
|
 |
Loi Krathong
Floats on Samui's waterways |
This traditional custom has been celebrated nationwide for centuries.
It is claimed that this historic ceremony has its origin in the 13th
Century during the Sukhothai period.
It is celebrated during the night of the full moon on the 12 lunar
month of every year (normally November). On this night all Thais go
to rivers and waterways to float a Krathong in order to say thank
you for the life-giving water.
Loy means float and Krathong is the name of a small artistic boat
made from banana leaves and flowers. Each Krathong contains a candle
and incense. After lighting the candle and incense send your Krathong
off into the night. Thais believe that if the candle's still burning
as the Krathong floats away, this will bring you good luck in the
coming year.
The Fishermans Village Festival - Bophut
Live music - Bophut festival |
The 2nd annual Fishermans Village Festival is held over 5 days
from the 22nd - 26th August.
Lots of quality live music including rock, popular and Thai rock
played by local bands and artists from Bangkok. Food tents offer
a wide range of cheaper and tasty cuisine provided by many local
hotels, makes this festival one of the best events on the Samui
calender.
Public Holidays 2005
New Year's Day : Jan 1
Makha Bucha Day : Feb 23
5 th Mar- Makha Bucha
Chakri Day : April 6
Songkran (New Year): Apr 13-15
National Labour Day : May 1
Coronation Day : May 5
Visakha Bucha Day : May
Asanha Bucha Day : Jul
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) : Jul
Queen's Birthday : Aug 12
Chulalongkorn Day : Oct 23
King's Birthday : Dec 5
Constitution Day : Dec 10
New Year's Eve : December 31
|
