January
Aka Hill Tribes Mini Light & Sound Presentation
Dates: Usually the 2nd Sunday of January / February / March / April
Location: Chiang Rai Social Development Centre 12 on the Doi Mae Salong road in Pa Sang Sub-district of Mae Chan, Chiang Rai
Mekong Friendship Festival
Held annually from 15th to 17th January in Chiang Rai’s Muang district. It features a variety of entertainment with performances from the four different nations of the Mekong region as well as a feast of international food on offer.
King Mengrai Festival
Dates: January 26-February 1
Street parades and cultural performances that celebrate King Meng Rai, the founder of the city of Chiang Rai and the Lanna Thai Kingdom. The Festival is organised by the Chiang Rai provincial office, Telephone: 0 5371 1612
February
Dok Siao Ban (Blooming Siao Flower Festival) at Phu Chi Fa
Dates: February
Sports competitions and cultural performances from hill tribes at Ban Rom Fa Thai, Amphoe Thoeng District.
March
King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament
Date: March
Location: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai, on the banks of the Ruak River on the Thai / Myanmar border, 7 kms north of Chiang Saen
A blessing ceremony is held before the opening match, followed by a parade of northern traditional-style dancers, hill-tribe villagers in traditional costume, elephant spirit men (Khru Ba Yai), brightly decorated elephants and teams holding up the flags of their respective country’s will launch the week of competitions held on the banks of the Ruak River which divides Thailand from Burma.
The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament has gone from a small two-day event with six teams a mere 7 years ago, into a week-long festival. In 2009 there were 12 teams from four continents, with a totla of 40 players from more than a dozen countries!
April
Songkran Festival
Date: April 16-18. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, and celebration occur throughout the country. The most noticeable feature is the nationwide, week-long water fight! Chiang Saen, an hours drive from Chiang Mai city, offers perhaps the most spectacular Songkran celebrations, with 4 nations (Thailand, Laos, China and Myanmar) competing in boat races on the Mekong River. Beauty contests and cultural shows are added attractions. Day trips from Chiang Rai are possible, but advance accommodation bookings at Chiang Saen allow full enjoyment of the festivities!
May
Lychee Fair
Date: May 19-28 – Celebrating the Chiang Rai province’s tastiest fruit, the Lychee fair features agricultural displays and exhibitions, local handicrafts, folk entertainment and beauty contests.
October
Ok Pansa Festival
The Buddhist Festival of Ok Pansa is held on the first day of the waning moon in the 11th lunar month.
November
Lanna Cultural Festival
100th Anniversary celebration for the San Khong Ruang School
Location: Sanambin Road, Chiang Rai city
Date: 7th and 7th November 2010
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRQucSwUT1k
Hill tribe cultural displays and tribal sport competitions, tea tasting, ethnic foods, and a traditional northern dinner. Buatong (Mexican Sunflower) fields on the mountains of Doi Hua Mae Kham, in Mae Fah Suai District, Chiang Rai. More details available from TAT Chiang Rai Office;
Tel. 0 5371 7433, 5374 4674.
December
Chiang Rai Flower Festival
Date: Dec 27 – Jan 3 – The annual Chiang Rai Flower Festival is on for a 1 week period, during the peak of Cold Season / tourism high season.
