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?

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...

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

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

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...

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

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