Posts Tagged ‘Festival’
A bit of education, and Myanmar’s National Day
The origins of Myanmar’s National Day goes back to the independence struggle against the British in colonial times, with reformers keen to see a National Day that would mark the peoples’ own self-interests – rather than those of a foreign power.
An organization called the General Council of the Burmese Association (GCBA) took it upon themselves to create such a day and, in the early 1920s at a conference in Mandalay, gathered to discuss the details.
Inevitably, there were disagreements. The council couldn’t agree on the right day – would the day mark the arrest of senior monks (Sayardaw).
Then, they had some general agreements to regard a National Day based on three different days such as the day on which Sayardaw U Ottama, the famous Rahkine monk, was arrested by the British. Or would it be the day that King Thibaw abdicated from the throne? Or the mass student boycotts of the 1920s, protesting the imposition of colonial reforms n the education system?
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Student gatered in Shwedagon Pagoda in 2016 / Photo – Nyan Zay Htet and San Lin Tun
Then in 1922, on June 17 and 18, at a GCBA special conference in Rangoon, they decided that the 10th waning day of Tanzaungmone would be Burma’s National Day. It was the day on which they wanted to show resistance to the British, marking the famous boycott of Rangoon University by students who wanted to the Rangoon University Act (1920) abolished.
Under the colonial act, the government wanted to limit access for local students to higher education. The boycott was a show of strength by Myanmar students, who wanted to protest the injustice of the new legislation.
As a result of the publicity from the protests, a national high school and college system was later developed by the student leaders. It became Myanmar’s national education system, which supported Burmese as a language of instruction.
In those days, a national education system meant an anti-colonial education. Colonial education did not encourage teaching Burmese, and even forbade studying and speaking it on campuses. To oppose this, national schools embraced the language, and hailed a new system that was seen to be more inclusive (despite still lacking education in Myanmar’s minority languages).
The purpose of colonial education was to extend colonial dominance, and the new system aimed at encouraging independence. Depeyin U Myal was the first person who used the word “Slavery Education” in 1921, at the GCBA conference in Mandalay. The British taught loyalty to the English king and his empire, while the new curriculum sought to encourage pride in one’s own country.
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The commemorative stone block lies on the southern platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda
In the following decades it became clear that national education was a driving force behind the independence movement too, as national leaders such as General Aung San were school teachers. They saw education as a means of instilling civic and cultural ideals, and support for the emerging independent nation.
The university students opened national high schools in December 1920 and August 1921, as well as the National College at Bahan. There was a national education council which was comprised of 50 members to oversee curricula at national colleges and schools.
Since 1922 Myanmar’s National Day has been celebrated with official ceremonies. Since 1934, schools began to close to observe the occasion. Four years later, then Prime Minister Dr Ba Maw announced the day as an official holiday.
The first minister of education was U Phoe Kyar in the 1920s, and through his initiatives national schools began to spring up across the country.
We can still see the commemorative stone block of the 11 Rangoon College student leaders on the southern platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
They are Ba Khin, Po Kun, Ba U, Aung Din, Tun Win, Pe Thein, Ba Shin (Sandoway), Ba Shin (Tavoy), K. Ngyi Peik, Hla Tin and Mg E.
Notably, it was the first ever protest against the British administration led by students and is known as the first university student boycott.
San Lin Tun is a freelance writer of essays, poetry, short stories and novels in Myanmar and English.
Major Events, Festivals, and Holiday within Thailand
Find below a little summary of the major events and festivals during Thailand’s calendar year. These events are often spectacular occasions and can be great fun to visit.
Hundreds of festivals and temple fairs are toast throughout Thailand. Thais are fun-loving, sentimental people, and annual festivals, both commemorative and celebrate, play important roles in Thai life.
Many Thai festivals are colorful and joyful events that invite visitors’ to join and participate. Others feature solemn, eminently photogenic ceremonial. Whatever their character, whether Buddhist devotion, dazzling processions, exotic ritual or uninhibited merriment, each affords the visitor pleasant memories and gives you an insight into the cultural heritage that makes Thailand Asia’s most exotic and amazing country.
Most festivals are attached either with Buddhism, the annual rice-farming cycle or commemorations honoring Thai kings. Some occur on exact dates, others, particularly that related to Buddhism, are set on by the lunar calendar. And if one of these holidays falls onto a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday, will also a holiday and government offices and many commercial offices will be closed.
JANUARY
New Year’s Day – 2 January (Public Holiday)
The beginning of the western New Year is a national holiday in Thailand, one of three “new year” holidays celebrated every year. more…
FEBRUARY / MARCH
Makha Bucha – February (Public Holiday)
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon (around 2.500 years ago) in to his disciple and is one of the hoist Buddhist holy days, it Day marks the occasion when saint-disciples of the Buddha spontaneously gathered to hear his preaching.
The holiday may also known as Magha Puja or Lord Buddha Day and is mark Day of Love in Buddhism. Most Thai Buddhists will go on Makha Pucha Day to a temple to pay their respects to the Lord Buddha. Magha is a Pali and Sanskrit word meaning the third lunar month, and Puja is a word in the same language that means to venerate or honor and pronounced in Thai as Makha Bucha. The exact day of this second important Buddhist festival day depending on the Lunar cycle. more…
APRIL
Chakri Day – 6 April (Public Holiday)
The Chakri Day commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty which has been ruling Thailand since 1782. This dynasty build by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (King Rama I) in 1782 who came to throne on that day. On this day people of Thailand recognize the contributions of all the kings in the dynasty and to pay respect and reverence to their former kings as well as the present King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (King Rama X). More …
Songkran Festival Day – 13-16 April (Public Holidays)
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, joyfully celebrated throughout the country with rituals of merit-making, honoring the elders, and parades of dancers, music troupes and water splashing. The throwing or pouring of water during the annual Songkran Festival originally dates back to the spring cleaning of Thai houses and welcoming the rainy season. Devout Buddhists will particularly pour scented, blessed water over images of the Lord Buddha to pay respect, asking for a blessing, and washing away of bad omens. A fun festival for everybody to join in.
The country will be at an almost complete standstill during these days, joining fellow Thais and visitors in a refreshing escape from the humidity and heat. More detail about Thailand’s most fun festival and its culture background
MAY
National Labor Day – 1 May (Public Holiday)
International Labor Day is also toast as a national holiday, even though there isn’t much ado about it. Some businesses may be off. more …
Coronation Day – 4 May (Public Holiday)
The day when the reigning Maha Vajiralongkorn was crowed as the 10th king of the Chakri Dynaaty in 2019 over a three-day coronation. On the 4th of May he was to be anointed and crowed, on the 5th of May a royal procession took place and on the 6th of May the king grant an audience. more…
Wisakha (Visakha) Bucha Day – Full Moon Day in May (Public Holiday)
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the three events of Budhda – the birth, enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana.
Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. It is the most important festival of the Buddhists and is toast with great enthusiasm.
The exact date of Vesakha is toast on the full moon of the sixth lunar month or the first full moon in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The date varies from year to year in the Gregorian calendar but is typically in May. More detail and background…..
Phuetcha Mongkhon or the Royal Ploughing Ceremony (May) – goverment holiday
This ceremony marks official commencement of the annual rice-planting cycle and takes place in Bangkok’s Sanam Luang, an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace to usher in the new planting season with good luck and hopes. As Royal Ploughing Day is a holiday for state employees, government offices will be closed. more…
JUNE
H.M. The Queen Suthida’s Birthday – 3 June (Public Holidays)
His Majesty the King named General Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya the new queen on May 1st 2019 and conferred upon Queen Suthida the formal title of Her Majesty the Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana on May 4th 2019.
The Queen Suthida’s Birthday is a national holiday in Thailand.
JULY
Asarnha Bucha Day (Substitution for Asarnha Bucha Day) – July (Public Holidays)
Celebrating the Buddha’s first sermon in which he set out to his five former associates the doctrine that had come to him following his enlightenment.
Asahna Bucha is a national Holiday in Thailand. It replaced Buddhist Lent as a gazetted holiday in 2007.
The date in the western calendar depends on the Lunar cycle. Another name is Asalha Puja or Dhamma Day.
AUGUST
H.M. The Queen’s Birthday – 14 August 2017 (Public Holiday)
Mother’s Day was first introduced to Thailand on 15th April, 1950. In 1976, Mother’s Day was changed to 12th August to commemorate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit ,the Mother of all Thai people.
The birthday of her Majesty Queen Dowager Sirikit remains a holiday as National Mother’s Day
OCTOBER
The Passing of King Bhumibol – 13 October (Public Holiday)
For decades, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the only king the people of Thailand knew, and became a symbol of stability and was much beloved by the people of his realm.
Born on 5 December, 1927, Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, 2016. He took the throne in 1946, reigned for 70 years, and came to be called “Father of the Nation”. After a long struggle with illness, he finally passed away, at the age of 88. One year later, the king was cremated and transported on a restored, golden royal chariot in an elaborate procession to Phra Merumat, to be interred with many of his ancestors of the Chakri Dynasty. Shrines were erected in the king’s honor all over the nation, and the mourning over his death lasted a full year. more…
Chulalongkorn Memorial Day – 23 October (Public Holiday)
The day commemorates King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who passed away on October 23rd 1910. He was the fifth monarch of Siam from the House of Chakri and is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam (now Thailand). He is the one who introduced many social and political reforms that helped to modernize Siam including the abolishment of slavery. more…
DECEMBER
H.M. The King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday – 5 December (Public Holiday)
The 5th of December commemorates the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It is also Thailand’s National Day and is the day when Father’s Day is tosat in Thailand.
Constitution Day (Substitution for Constitution Day) – 10 December (Public Holiday)
Celebrates the date in 1932 when the country given its first constitution. more…
New Years’ Eve – 31 December (Public Holiday)
The day before the Western New Year day is always a national holiday
When are the exact dates for holidays in Thailand? Just click here to get the update calendar
Myanmar Holidays and Festivals
The Myanmar calendar subscribes to both the solar and lunar months, thus requiring an intercalary 30-day 13th month every second or third year. Therefore, the full moon days may change from one month to another in the usual calendar.
The exact dates of some of the holidays as well as the festivals are calculated according to the Myanmar lunar calendar, so the below details can change from year to year. Please check with us for details.
Independence Day (4th of January)
January 4th is Independence Day and an annual public holiday in Myanmar. Unlike other Independence Day around the world, this is not Myanmar’s National Day. The Myanmar’s National day is celebrate in late November to early December.
Britain made Burma a province of India in 1886 with the capital at Rangoon. From the very beginning there was a strong feeling of resentment against the rule of the British and Buddhist monks played an important role in the independence movement. The first Prime Minister was Ba Maw. Some Burmese saw the rise of Japan as an opportunity to gain independence from Britain. This led to the formation of the Burma Independence Army in Japan.
In March 1942 the Japanese took Burma and although many Burmese fought initially on the side of the Japanese in World War II, many others fought with the British. The Burmese army even switched allegiance from Japan to the allied forces in 1945. The Panglong Agreement reached on February 12th 1947 and led to the unification of Burma as an independent state.
On January 4th 1948, the Union of Burma became independent from Britain and Burma became Myanmar in 1989.
Festivals and traditional activities across the country celebrate the date. Yangon festooned in patriotic colors to mark the occasion. Many men and women wear the national dress of Burma, which consists of a collarless shirt and skirt.
Union Day Wed (12th of February)
General Aung San, head of the interim Burmese government and representatives from the Shan states, the Kachin hills and the Chin hills met in Panglong to determine the future of Burma following the end of the Second World War.
Burma demanded that the British government restore independence to all of Burma. While instrumental in the Panglong agreement on the 12th of February 1947, Aung San did not live to see Burma gains its independence in January 1948.
This instrumental day in the country’s history books is an official public holiday in Myanmar. This day led eventually to the creation of an independent country in 1948. And it honor the approved independence by the British.
For most of its residents, the day is a day for being among family and friends, as government officials and ministries organize parades and ceremonies to recall Union Day.
Peasants’ Day Mon (2nd of March)
Peasants’ Day is an annual public holiday in Myanmar on March 2nd and also known as Farmers’ Day. The holiday marks and honors the contribution of agriculture and farming to Myanmar. 70% of the country population works in farming and agriculture. The prosperity and success of the nation depends on those working the land. Over 60% of Myanmar’s Gross Domestic Product is generating from agriculture. The main agricultural product is rice and it is one of the biggest exporters of rice in Asia. The crops and products grown in Myanmar have been diversified in recent years, to ensure that the country is not too dependent on one particular crop.
Full Moon Day of Tabaung (8th of March)
Maka Bucha (also called Magja Puja) is pagoda festival. It is taking place in the last month of the year in the Burmese calendar. The date determined by the Lunar Cycle. Maka Bucha is a public holiday in several Mekong region countries such as Cambodia and Thailand as well as in Myanmar.
Celebrated with largest happening at the happening at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
In the morning many Thai people wake up early to give alms to monks. In the evening, temples are full of people listening to sermons. Often they perform a ritual where they walk clockwise three times around the temple, holding flowers, incense, and a lit candle. Each of the three circuits represents one of the three jewels (ideas at the heart of Buddhism) – Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Armed Forces Day (27th of March)
Armed Forces Day is a public holiday in Myanmar on March 27th. Known as ‘Tatmadaw Nay’, it commemorates the rebellion against Japanese occupation during the second world war.
In 1886, Burma came under British control. From the earliest days of colonization, there was a strong feeling of resentment against the rule of the British. Some Burmese saw the rise of Japan during World War 2 as an opportunity to gain independence from Britain. Aung San was a prominent figure in the independence movement and exiled to China. He collaborated with Japan and with Burmese nationalist support, Japan took control of Burma in 1942. However Aung San came to realize that the Japanese had no intention of giving independence to Burma and on March 23rd 1945, he led the Burmese army in a rebellion against the Japanese that helped the Allied forces remove the Japanese from the region.
The key event on this day is a large parade by the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar. Originally this holiday was called Resistance Day, but it was renamed to Armed Forces Day by the Tatmadaw.
Myanmar New Year Holidays / Thingyan (from 12-16th of April)
Burmese New Year takes place at the culmination of the Thingyan Water Festival. After three days of partying and sprinkling everybody with water during Thingyan, the traditional New Year’s Day festivities begin. This is a day to make new resolutions for the coming year, usually about changing bad behavior and promising to do more good deeds for a better karma.
An unusual custom is the releasing fish. The fish are rescued from dried up lakes and rivers and released on New Year’s Day into larger lakes and rivers with a prayer and a wish saying “I release you once, you release me ten times”.
On New Year’s Day, people offer food called Satuditha to passers-by and those celebrating new year. Satuditha is an act that shows the important charitable side of Burmese culture.
May Day (Labor Day) (1st of May)
May Day or Labor day is a national holiday. Known as a commemoration of the achievements of the labor movement.
Full Moon Day of Kasong – First full moon in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar
Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar and the most important festival celebrated with great enthusiasm.
The first full moon in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar marks the exact date of Vesak. The date varies from year to year in the Gregorian calendar but is typically in May.
Although Buddhists regard every full moon as sacred, the moon of the month of Vesak has special significance. On this day Buddha was born, attained enlightenment (Nirvana), and attained Parinirvana (Nirvana-after-death of the body) when he died.
Burmese Martyrs’ Day ( 19th of July)
The Martyrs’ Day, also known as Arzarni Day, is a public holiday in Myanmar on July 19th. The day marks the assassination of Aung San and several other cabinet members in 1947.
On the 19th of July 1947 gunmen went into a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat in downtown Yangon. They shot dead Aung San and seven other key leaders of the interim government. U saw, a political rival planned the assassination. U Saw found guilty and executed a few months later
Every Year on the 19th of July at 10.37 am, car horns are sound in the streets of Myanmar. It marks the exact time of the shooting. High-level government officials visiting the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon. The day is dedicated to Aung San and the other seven leaders, who were killed here.
Eid ul-Adha Day in Myanmar (begin of August)
Known as Eid al-Adha, Eid ul Adha, Id-ul-Azha, Id-ul-Zuha, Hari Raya Haji or Bakr-id; the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’ is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
The day celebrate the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael in submission to Allah’s command. He was stopped by Allah before.
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. As the exact day is based on lunar sightings, the date may vary between countries.
The giving of charity in the form of money, food or clothes to the homeless or poor is a key tradition of Eid al Adha.
Full Moon Day of Waso (end of July – begin of August)
Also known as Dhammasetkya Day, this public holiday takes place on the full moon day of Waso, the fourth month in the Burmese calendar. It usually falls in July in the Western calendar.
The day marks the start of Buddhist lent and the anniversary of Buddha’s first sermon on the Four Noble Truths.
Pilgrims throughout the country gather wild flowers to offer at pagodas, and offer new robes to monks. During the period of Buddhist Lent, many Buddhists will abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol or smoking.
Thadingyut Festival / Full Moon of Thadingyut (end of October)
The Festival of Lights marks Buddha’s return to earth and signifies the end of Buddhist Lent. Thadingyut holiday is the second most popular festival in Myanmar after Thingyan Festival.
This public holiday / festival in Myanmar takes place on the full moon day of Thadingyut, the seventh month in the Burmese calendar. The Thadingyut Festival lasts for three day from the day before the full moon through to the day after the full moon.
Devout Buddhists celebrate the descent of the Lord Buddha from the heavens as locals will decorate their houses with colorful lights, organize parties and partake in various events.
This is also the time to pay homage to monks, parents, teachers and the elderly, asking them for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, one has done over the past year.
Deepavali in Myanmar (mid of October)
Diwali (Deepavali (deep – lamp, vali – array)) takes place on the darkest night (the first night of the new moon) in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. The festival is a time for rejoicing and renewal. Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness. One of the most colorful Myanmar Holidays and Festivals
Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, who was the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, from a fourteen-year exile.
Tazaungdaing / Tazaungmone Festival (end of November)
This festival marks the end of the rainy season in Myanmar and this public holiday in Myanmar takes place on the full moon day of Tazaungmone, the eighth month in the Burmese calendar. It usually falls in November in the Western calendar.
There are lots of events such as
- providing robe and various requisites to monks at Ka-htain, Matho Thingan or Robe Weaving contest. A deeply-religious celebration sees many Burmese moving from their houses to temples and monasteries to offer new robes and other necessities to Buddhist monks (Khatein ceremony).
- Hot Air Balloon Flying Festival all in this eventful month. Across Myanmar, hot-air balloons are lit with candles and released into the night sky.
- The number nine is a lucky number in Myanmar. 9,999 candles are lit up as offerings to Buddha in the Chaukhtatgyi Paya Pagoda on the night of the full moon day of Tazaungmone.
National Day in Myanmar (late November to early December)
Myanmar’s National Day celebrations original are all about remembering the hardship and unrest under British ruling that commenced in 1920 and eventually led to the country’s independence in 1948. National Day is an annual public holiday in Myanmar. One of the most important Myanmar Holidays and Festivals.
But in 1920, on the tenth day following the full-moon day of Tazaungmone on the Burmese lunar calendar, students from the Rangoon and Judson Colleges began protests against the British administration’s Rangoon University Act of 1920.
The protests ignited a call for nationalism in the students, the basis of which formed the key elements of the movement for independence.
Myanmar Holidays and Festivals more detail
Summary
Day Name | Date(2020) | Number of Days | Remarks |
New Year’s Day | 1 January | 1 day | – |
Independence Day | 4 January | 1 day | Marks independence from British Empire in 1948. |
Union Day | 12 February | 1 day | Anniversary of the Panglong Agreement in 1947. |
Peasants’ Day | 2 March | 1 day | a day to mark and honour the contribution of agriculture and farming to Myanmar. |
Full Moon Day of Tabaung | 8 March | 1 day | Tabaung Pwè Pagoda Festivals. |
Armed Forces Day | 27 March | 1 day | Formerly Resistance Day (against the Japanese occupation in 1945). |
Myanmar New Year Holidays | 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17 April | 8 days | Pre-Thingyan Day, Commencing Day to Prime Day, End of Thingyan, Myanmar New Year Day. |
May Day | 1 May | 1 day | Worker’s Day. |
Full Moon Day of Kason | 6 May | 1 day | Anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha celebrated by watering the Bodhi tree. |
Martyrs’ Day | 19 July | 1 day | Commemorates the assassination of Aung San and several other cabinet members in 1947. |
Start of Buddhist Lent | 3 August | 1 day | Full Moon Day of Waso |
Thadingyut Holidays | 29, 30, 31 October
1, 2 November |
5 days | Pre-Full Moon Day, Full Moon Day of Thadingyut, Post-Full Moon Day
(Festival of Lights) |
Tazaungdine Holidays | 27,28,29,30 November | 4 days | Pre-Full Moon Day, Full Moon Day Of Tazaungmon |
National Day | 9
December |
1 day | Anniversary of the first university students strike in 1920. |
Christmas Day | 25 December | 1 day | The Birthday of Jesus Christ. |
New Year’s Eve | 31 December | 1 day | – |
Eid ul-Adha | 1 August | 1 day | Eid ul-Adha Day and Deepavali Day will be separately announced on the days they will fall on.
Union Government |
Deepavali | 14 October | 1 day | |
Kayin New Year Day | – | – | Will not fall in 2020 |
Muay Thai in the spotlight
February 28, 2012 by TTRweekly
AYUTTHAYA, February 24, 2012 – More than 300 Muay Thai boxers will be in Thailand, 17 to 23 Marc,h for the 8th Thai boxing tournament and festival, to showcase what is audibly one of world’s most specular contact sports.
The week-long event will see competitors and Thai boxing enthusiasts from 30 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, South Korea, France, Ukraine, and South Africa.
Officially known as the World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony and Miracle Muay Thai Festival, the event is being organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province in Thailand.
Muay Thai is Thailand’s top national sport with historical links to the heritage and culture of the country dating back centuries. Its first appeared as a village sport known as Muay Boran or “ancient boxing”, and was a derivitive of unarmed combat moves used by Siamese soldiers that were taught alongside skills in using a fighing scabarb known in Thai language as the Krabee Krabong.
Ayutthaya, is also home of a legendary hero, Nai Khanom Tom, who according to popular narratives, gained his freedom from Burmese rulers by emerging victorious over Burmese prize fighters with his combination of his fighting skills as well as his faith in a religious ritual that preceded all bouts.
In an official press release for the event, TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “…the festival aims to promote Thai martial arts as a legacy that reflects the wisdom of the ancestors and hails its role in safeguarding the independence of the country from generation to generation.”
This year, festival highlights include a Muay Thai exhibition, performances and a full-fledged tournament as well as educational sessions for visitors who have a keen interest in sports and Thai heritage. There will be associated activities; such as, demonstrations of Thai handicraft production and Thai cooking.
Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony will be held 17 March at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Stadium and the Miracle Muay Thai Festival will be held at the Ayutthaya Tourism Centre from 17 to 28 March 2012. Other activities, such as World Championship for amateurs, Amateur Muay Thai World Championships, Pro-Am Muay Thai World Championships and Muay Thai training camps will be held 16 to 23 March at the Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok.
More information, contact, activities promotion division, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel: 02-2505500 ext 3490 to 3494, or TAT call centre 1672, or log in to http://www.muaythaifestival.com/.
Experience the diverse past of Phuket’s multicultural Heritage.
Phuket is full of festivals. One of them is the Old Phuket Town Festival which is clasp during the Chinese Year.
The purpose of this colorful and exciting festival is to remember the history of Chinese immigrants in Phuket. According to the history books of the island, Thalang Road is the oldest road in Phuket Town but also the roads around are full of these Sino-Portuguese architecture style houses.
Local people setting up their shops to stop by, taking pictures, and try out some of the famous products. Many small restaurants along the streets invite you to take a rest and enjoy the street life.
During the Festival guests have the opportunity to test a lot of different tastes of delicious dishes. Besides food, they can watch historical Thai dances along the street, get stimulate from the past of this remarkable era. A must to see in the parade, which showcases the historical origins and the unique ethnic mix with their traditional dress and blends of cultures.
Also outside of the Old Phuket Town Festival, Phuket Town is a place to visit, take the Old Phuket Town walking trail, and discover the history of the island.
More information about Phuket Town and especially the Old Phuket Town can be found here or contact us .