Thailand is one of the country where a number of Buddhist festivals are celebrated. If you are visiting Thailand during the time of the festival, make sure that you enjoy them to the maximun extent. Below are given details of some extremely important festivals which you can participate in once you visit Thailand.

• Visakha Bucha : Like in the rest of the world, this is one of the most important Buddhist festival celebrated throughout Thailand. It is believed to be the day when prince Siddharta Gautama was born, 35 years later, on the same day, He attained enlightenment and after another 45 years passed into total nibbana. All the three events took place on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, which usually falls in May. On this day, people hoist religious flags outside their houses, visit temples and offer flowers, candles and incense to pay their respect to the three jewels of Buddhism - the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. In the evening, people participate in the candle lit procession and perform a circumambulation of the main chapel of the temples thrice. A number of people also indulge in meditation to gain merit.
  
  
• Songkran : Celebrated in the month of April when Thailand is facing heat at its extreme, Songkran is one of the three new year celebrations, the other two being the Western New year on January 1st and Chinese New Year in February. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and sees people visiting temples in large number and offering food to Buddhist monks. They also pour scented water over the hand into the hands of elders of the family as a mark of respect. Small fishes are also released into canals and rivers to gain merit. On the funside, water splashing on anyone and everyone on this day is extremely popular. This provides the much needed relief from the scorching heat.
  
  
• Loy Krathong : Perhaps, amongst the most beautiful festivals of Thailand, Loy Krathong is celebrated on the night of the full moon 12th lunar month. This usually falls in the month of November as per Gregorian calendar. In this festival, people light candles and joss sticks and place them on a Krathong ( a lotus shaped vessel that can float in water) along with other items like food, betel nuts, flowers and coins. This Krathong is then floated in the water of a river or a canal. The person floating it makes a silent wish and hopes that the candle in the Krathong continues to burn till the time it is visible to his or her eyes. The burning of the candle is symbolic of longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sin.
  
  
• Raek Na : Raek Na, or the Ploughing festival has its origin back to the times of the Buddha and commemorates His first enlightenment at the age of seven. The festival is celebrated in the sixth lunar month which coincides with the month of May as per the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated in Bangkok in Sanam Luang and marks the beginning of the official rice planting season. The festival is presided over by His Majesty, the king, who appoints a Lord of the Festival, Phya Raek Nah, to carry out the rites. The rites that follow indicate the amount of rain that will fall and the crop that will give best yield.
  
  
• Elephant Festival : Celebrated on the third Saturday in the month of November, the Elephant Round Up festival is what makes the province of Surin extremely famous. The province, since long, has been famous for its elephants and the skilful mahouts who hold expertise in capturing, taming and training wild elephants. The event sees more than 100 elephants coming in to participate in the various games that test their strength, grace and intelligence.
  
• Makha Bucha Festival : Amongst the most important festivals of the Buddhist community, the Makha Bucha festival marks the day on the third lunar month (Feb-Mar) when 1250 arahants spontaneously gathered before the Buddha and He gave them discourse on Ovadha Patimokkha. The day is a public holiday in Thailand and has the people visiting the temples in large number. His Majesty the King presides over the religious rites at the Emerald Buddha Temple and later heads a number of people in a candlelit procession held within the premises of the temple. The procession is usually held in evening, however, as per the convenience of the people, it can also be carried out in the morning (not in Bangkok).
  
  
• Asalaha Bucha - Wan Khao Pansa Festival : Celebrated in the eighth lunar month (July), the Asalaha Bucha-Wan Khao Pansa Festival marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa". It is the time when the Buddhist monks retreat to their temples and concentrate more on their studies and meditation. The Buddhist lent continues for a period of three months and is also considered a great time for ordination. The common people, too, participate in this festival with all enthusiasm and offer food, clothings and other items of daily use. Items that provide light, like lantern, lamp oil is of special mention. These are supposed to illuminate them both spiritually and physically.