Best festivals around Thailand

Birds by any other name

The Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival will again draw birdwatchers to Thailand’s southern province of Yala this Saturday and Sunday. The annual festival takes places at Khwan Muang Park in Muang District where thousands of bird cages filled with zebra doves from Thailand, Indonesia and other Asean countries will keep judges busy as they search out the best cooing birds. The red-whiskered bulbuls will coo, too, and compete for “best of breed”.

 

Flower power in the park

Si Sa Ket province welcomes summer from March 11 to 13 with its annual Dok Lam Duan Flower Festival that runs from Friday through Sunday in the Princess Mother Memorial Park. More than 50,000 trees will be showing off their fragrant Melodorum fruticosum petals as locals and visitors enjoy cultural shows and delicious Isaan dishes. The event is held concurrently with the Four Tribes Annual Cultural Festival with ethnic Lao, Khmer, Kui and Yoe groupings each showcasing their unique culture.

 

High kicks and sacred ink

Thai kick boxers from around the world will gather in Ayutthaya province on March 17 for the “World Wai Khru Muay Thai Festival”. The event is held annually to pay homage to Thai boxing masters and to showcase Thai martial arts, which are now known and appreciated throughout the world. The festival includes professional muay Thai bouts as well as demonstrations of Thai arts and handicrafts, traditional Thai tattooing and the making of ancient weapons..

 

The beat goes on

The Pattaya Music Festival 2016 returns to this popular resort in Chon Buri province from March 18 to 20 for a beach party that features pop, rock, hip-hop and R ’n’ B. Taking part this year is a wealth of local talent as well as some 10 artists from Thailand’s Southeast Asian neighbours.

Call (038) 427 667.