Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit

Although not an official public holiday, with the bars closed, no alcohol for sale anywhere and most Thais paying...

Although not an official public holiday, with the bars closed, no alcohol for sale anywhere and most Thais paying respects at wats (temples), Magha Puja certainly feels like one. Falling on the full moon of the third lunar month of the year, it commemorates when Lord Buddha preached to 1250 disciples on the cardinal doctrine. It is celebrated nationwide and in the evening the wats come alive with people walking around chapels, candles alight.

Hours: Fri, Apr 6, 2012

The traditional Thai New Year tops Bangkok's list of annual events. It is a unique, three- to four-day festival when the...

The traditional Thai New Year tops Bangkok's list of annual events. It is a unique, three- to four-day festival when the city -- and the country for that matter -- stops and celebrates, bringing in the new year chiefly with water. The event is centuries old, but in recent decades has turned into a huge water fight on the city's streets. Be warned: no-one is safe from water pistols and even buckets of water. Visitors either join the festivities and get wet, or stay inside. In Bangkok, Songkran falls April 13-15, but the date varies around the country.

Hours: Fri, Apr 13, 2012 Sat, Apr 14, 2012 Sun, Apr 15, 2012

Held in Sanam Luang next to the Grand Palace, this ceremony marks the beginning of the rice-planting season with a...

Held in Sanam Luang next to the Grand Palace, this ceremony marks the beginning of the rice-planting season with a Brahman ritual. Thousands watch as farmers run after the seed rice to see if the coming year will bring them a good harvest or not. In recent years the Crown Prince has overseen the ceremony in place of the King.

Hours: Sun, May 13, 2012

Thais celebrate the birth of the Lord Buddha on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. Wats are once more the center of...

Thais celebrate the birth of the Lord Buddha on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. Wats are once more the center of activity and the city and nation come to a standstill for the occasion, with no alcohol sold.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Mon, Jun 4, 2012

Also Mother's Day, this is a national holiday with the emphasis on cleaning up the country. Community groups collect...

Also Mother's Day, this is a national holiday with the emphasis on cleaning up the country. Community groups collect litter in honor of Queen Sirikit. Many buildings are lit up with small white bulbs, albeit not quite as spectacularly as for the King's birthday on December 5.

Hours: Sun, Aug 12, 2012

Hosted by one of the city's top hotels, the Four Seasons Bangkok, this is a culinary delight and one of Bangkok's best...

Hosted by one of the city's top hotels, the Four Seasons Bangkok, this is a culinary delight and one of Bangkok's best food events. For ten days the hotel calls on a string of international chefs to cook up their best. And this during the same month as the vegetarian festival!

Hours: Mon, Sep 3, 2012 Tue, Sep 4, 2012 Wed, Sep 5, 2012 Thu, Sep 6, 2012 Fri, Sep 7, 2012 Sat, Sep 8, 2012 Sun, Sep 9, 2012

A festival more famous in Phuket island in the south, but this ten-day event is followed by Bangkok's huge Chinese...

A festival more famous in Phuket island in the south, but this ten-day event is followed by Bangkok's huge Chinese population as well. Many Chinese and some Thai restaurants, particularly the street-side variety, change their menu to all vegetarian fare. The best place to experience it is Chinatown.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sun, Oct 14, 2012 Mon, Oct 15, 2012 Tue, Oct 16, 2012 Wed, Oct 17, 2012 Thu, Oct 18, 2012 Fri, Oct 19, 2012 Sun, Oct 21, 2012 Mon, Oct 22, 2012 Tue, Oct 23, 2012

Temple fairs remain common in some parts of the country but are rare in Bangkok, and this is a good one by any measure....

Temple fairs remain common in some parts of the country but are rare in Bangkok, and this is a good one by any measure. The grounds within the wat and Golden Mount come alive with stalls selling holy items and other more commercial goods. The celebration is for pilgrims to respect the holy items in the wat and dates back many years. Temple fairs are a time to catch Thais at their best "sanuk," enjoying themselves.

Hours: Mon, Oct 29, 2012 Tue, Oct 30, 2012 Wed, Oct 31, 2012 Thu, Nov 1, 2012 Fri, Nov 2, 2012 Sat, Nov 3, 2012 Sun, Nov 4, 2012 Mon, Nov 5, 2012 Tue, Nov 6, 2012

Held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, this is one of Thailand's most peaceful festivals. Its origins are...

Held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, this is one of Thailand's most peaceful festivals. Its origins are debated but certainly centuries old. Thais float lotus-shaped vessels with flowers and candles to wash away the past year's problems and sins. Traditionally they are made of banana leaves and other natural materials, but modern times have seen Styrofoam, which has been justly criticized.

Hours: Wed, Nov 28, 2012

Thais revere their King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrated his 60th jubilee in June 2006, making him the world's...

Thais revere their King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrated his 60th jubilee in June 2006, making him the world's longest-serving monarch. His birthday, which is also Father's Day, is when Thais pay their special respects. The city is blanketed with huge portraits of the sovereign and buildings and other structures are covered in small lights.

Hours: Wed, Dec 5, 2012