Thailand is the most well-liked tourist destination in South-East Asia and has been for decades. This is because the climate alters throughout the year from hot to cool and even cold, if you would like to look for it; Thai food is world-renowned; the range of wildlife is broad as is the flora; the diving is fantastic and the people are friendly and welcoming. Thailand is not known as the Land of Smiles for no reason.

There are also a lot of festivals, some of which are religious, which equals Buddhist, and others are not. Thailand has been Buddhist ever since the country came into being in the Thirteen Century, but the people were Buddhist long before that. Or at least the majority of them were. There were also throw-backs to older religions just as in the West.

In the West Christmas and Easter were moved to hide pagan festivals, but in Thailand they merely have the old festivals as well. One of the biggest festivals is Loy Krathong in November (the first full moon in the twelfth lunar month). Loy Krathong is a charming festival to placate the goddess or water, Ganga, for using and abusing (polluting) her.

These days, people still remember the old meaning of Loy Krathong (’Floating Boats’), but it has been taken adopted by lovers too. People float symbolic boats out onto the water and ask the goddess to forgive them and to grant a wish. Lovers push their boats out together and many believe that if the boats, krathong, float out side-by-side then they will have a strife-free year together.

Many women put on traditional Thai costumes for the evening, especially if they are going out for a meal or to a party. Some men do as well, but not so many.

Also in November is the world-famous Elephant roundup in Surin. The elephant roundup is also well-liked with foreigners and Thais alike. The city of Surin is full on this weekend so if you want to go it is worth booking your hotel with your travel ticket otherwise you may be stranded. Not that it is cold or likely to rain.

Bridge Over the River Kwae week is in November. The bridge is a moving reminder of the horror that prisoners of war from all over the world experienced at the hands of the Japanese overlords at the time. More Thais died than foreigners although Thailand was thought of as ‘friendly’ by the occupying Japanese.

In December it is the King’s birthday and Fathers’ Day on the 5th. The king is very extremely well thought of in Thailand and many people will light candles in their garden on the roadside to the king in the early evening. This is a very pretty sight, especially in the villages where street lighting is usually negligible. Constitution Day is on the 10th and is a bank holiday, which normally means a party.

Christmas is celebrated in the cities by tourists, ex-pats and young Thais although it has no real religious significance outside the Christian churches in the larger cities.

New Year’s Day is huge. There are parties that will last all night, dancing, feasting and fireworks.

Thailand is a great place to come to in November and December and although it is considered high season, I am sure that you will find it cheaper to come on vacation to Thailand - The Land of Smiles - than it is to stay at home in the cold.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on numerous subjects, but is now concerned with Loy Krathong. If you would like to know more, please visit our web site at Package Holidays to Thailand.