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pat Feb 7th, 2006 07:09 PM

when to go to thailand
 
I can`t decide if we should go for the festival of lights, or the King`s birthday. Is one more festive than the other? Are sites and stores more likely to be closed on the King`s birthday? Or is better to go on a non holiday and avoid the crowds?

magical_routes Feb 7th, 2006 07:43 PM

Loi Krathong, the festival of lights/flowers/candles, at 3rd or 4th week of November, is by far the most opicturesque of all Thai holidays. the site of all the candle lit lanterns floating on rivers, klongs or any other water source available, is quite something. Also its not an official holiday on the callendar so there are no disruptions of any sort. The King's Birthday is also Father's day and important to local, but nothing spectacular. More over, the King's Birthday long weekend (first weekend in december), is followed up by constitution day long weekend right after it. Many locals cut the week short and take long vacations. traffic at some days might be bad, all official and many private businesses are shut down on both weekends and in general its a pain... Avoid it if you can...

MichaelBKK Feb 7th, 2006 07:57 PM

Just to clarify a bit: stores never, ever, close for holidays in Thailand. That's when they do most of their business!

rhkkmk Feb 7th, 2006 08:41 PM

loy krathong for 2006 starts on nov 5, 2006....

rhkkmk Feb 7th, 2006 08:42 PM

the kings birthday is not usually anything special....sometimes a few fireworks on the river...a large military type parade on the parade ground, but all shops and builidngs are decorated with pictures of the king....huge pictures, sometimes 20 feet or more tall...

pat Feb 7th, 2006 10:15 PM

Thanks every one! I am going to leave the US on Nov 2, so we should be in Bangkok for Loi Krathong. Can`t wait! Pat

Gpanda Feb 8th, 2006 12:42 PM

You've chosen correctly. Loy Krathong is fascinating. The King's Birthday is interesting, but nowhere near as interesting.


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