Ok Phansa / End of Buddhist Lent

Nine-day Taoist festival featuring strict vegetarian eating, white clothing, and extreme acts of devotion including body piercing and fire walking by spirit mediums.

Elaborate carved wax sculptures are paraded and donated to temples at the start of Buddhist Lent. Ubon Ratchathani's festival features massive, intricate candle sculptures.

Ceremony where monks descend temple stairs in a symbolic reenactment of Buddha's return from heaven. Large offerings are made.

Thailand's most romantic festival. Thais float decorated banana-leaf baskets (krathong) on rivers and waterways to pay respect to the water goddess and release negativity. Celebrated on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month.

Thai New Year and the world's biggest water fight. Originally a Buddhist cleansing ritual, it has evolved into a massive water battle celebration. The country essentially shuts down for a week.

Celebrated enthusiastically by Thailand's large Chinese-Thai population. Not an official holiday but widely observed, especially in Bangkok's Chinatown.