Focus of their Calendar of Events

Elephants are deeply respected by the Thai people as the animal is part of the Thai culture and is a national symbol which represents the royal power of the King. Hence there is a celebration day for elephants, which on the March 13 of every year. It is known as Thai Elephant Day. The purpose of this event is to raise more awareness about the conservation of elephants as well as the importance of how elephants are to the Thai culture.

There is also another event that celebrates the importance of elephants. It is held in November annually, in the Surin province of Northeast Thailand. The event is known as the Elephant Round-up where hundreds of elephants gather around for the event. The event itself has become one of tourists’ main attractions because it is an event that is highly celebrated to worship the elephants, and Western tourists find this event interesting.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sSdeQXHpkU )

The New Year Day is a festival that is specially celebrated by the Thais every year. It is also known as the Songkran festival and is held every 13 to 15 April, but it can be held for weeks in the Northern parts of Thailand. The event is celebrated by the Thais visiting temples, splashing water at each other and playing with the elephants. The Thais believe that the act of splashing water at each other is a gesture of wishing each other good luck and it is what New Year is all about; to welcome the new year with good luck. Lustral water is poured gently over the heads of the elderly and important people.

There is also the Chiang Mai Flower Festival which runs for 3 days, from the first Friday of every February. This festival features a parade of the growing flowers with colourful petals and beautiful plants that are grown in Chiang Mai. Flowers from Chiang Mai are known to be one of the major exporters in the world for their fresh flowers. Craftsmen from all over the country also come together to show their craftsmanship skills, and will display their masterpieces and also sell a few pieces.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony takes place on 13 May every year. The event takes place in front of the Grand Palace during the sixth lunar month. This Brahmanism ceremony has been held for many years and can be said to be an ancient festival. It is held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok and the purpose of this event is to mark the new start of the planting season and also to bless the Thai farmers with good and healthy crops for the year.