In 2024 in Thailand you can celebrate the New Year 3 times - according to the European, Chinese and Thai calendars. Especially for these dates, travel agencies prepare interesting tours with a visit to Bangkok and sightseeing. But you can also travel to an exotic country on your own - entry for up to 45 days does not require a visa.
How people celebrate the New Year in Thailand
The celebration of 3 calendars is not accidental - in the country, in addition to the descendants of local tribes, people from China and Europe live. Therefore, it is customary to celebrate a solemn event, taking into account the interests of all diasporas.
European holiday
The festivities continue for 4 days - they start celebrating the holiday on December 31, and end on January 3. In schools and universities, in various companies and industries, parties are held at which gifts are presented. Fireworks and concerts are among the national events. Comfortable beaches and cozy hotel rooms are prepared for tourists.
The main place of festivities in the capital is a large square in front of the entrance to the World Trade Center. Locals prefer to spend most of their free time in Buddhist temples. One of the main rituals is the offering of alms, vegetables and fruits to preaching monks after the sermon.
In the traditions of the European holiday, Thais decorate artificial Christmas trees, hang garlands, give gifts. After the New Year's dinner, it is customary to take out unnecessary things from the house, making room for new ones.
Chinese holidays
In February, the lunar holiday comes. It is especially celebrated in areas with a large number of immigrants from the Middle Kingdom, such as China Town. Walking has specifics:
- paper lanterns are hung everywhere in bright red, a color favorable to the Chinese;
- processions are held, which are accompanied by national music and dances;
- launch colorful fireworks for several days.
For tourists, this period is doubly interesting - you can spend time visiting bright events and shopping centers. The Chinese holiday is not officially celebrated, so all stores continue to work as usual.
Thai New Year
Songkran is the most important solemn event in the kingdom. Another name for the Thai New Year is "Water Splashes" . The event is celebrated for 3 days in April, usually the date of the holiday falls on the 13th-15th.At the official level, religious rituals and parades are held. TV broadcasts popular shows and concerts. People massively celebrate the event on the streets of cities.
One of the common traditions of the first day is the sprinkling of water, which is supposed to attract crops. But today, such rituals develop into real water battles, pouring water on passers-by from buckets and hoses, toy guns. No one remains dry - neither an ordinary person, nor a government official! It is also customary to bless everyone by sprinkling talcum powder. The second day is devoted to the family and spend it with relatives and friends.
Where to celebrate the European New Year 2024 in Thailand
Active New Year holidays are offered to tourists of the island. But entertainment programs are prepared in almost all resorts in Bangkok and Pattaya.
Islands
Wide choice of hotels on the coast - Phuket, Khao Lak, Phi Phi.The price of a diving holiday in dry and hot weather varies from budget to premium. In addition to beach chairs, tourists are expected to visit farms that breed butterflies and alligators. Seasonal air temperature 31-32оС, water 27оС.
If preference is given to a sparsely populated resort, it is better to choose Koh Samui. But along with the heat, travelers have to endure stuffiness and heavy rains. The air warms up to 30-31 ºС, the sea - up to 27-28. Much "cooler" in the northern regions, where spring comes in January - air temperature 27-29 ºС, water 25-26.
A weekly vacation on the coast for 2 adults costs from 300,000 to 1,500,000 rubles. including airfare. Hotel class from 2 to 5 stars, all-inclusive accommodation. Now some agencies are already preparing tours to Thailand for January 2024, so you can determine the cost of the tour in advance and choose the best hotel option.
When organizing a New Year's holiday in Thailand, you need to allocate time for shopping. Thai prices are lower than in European stores, many shopping malls have sales during the holidays.
Hotel stay
Each hotel prepares its own entertainment program. In most hotels that are in demand among tourists, they broadcast the congratulations of the President of the Russian Federation, at 00.00 Moscow time the chiming clock. New Year's Eve dinner is included in the price. On average, tours for the New Year 2023 in Thailand with accommodation in a budget hotel cost from 60,000 to 125,000 rubles. The price of the trip in 2024 is still unknown - everything will depend on the dollar exchange rate.
Holiday in a club or restaurant
New Year's Eve can be spent in a restaurant or club, most of which are concentrated in 2 cities - Bangkok and Pattaya. Customers are offered a variety of high-quality alcoholic products and plentiful snacks. You can visit a bar with a disco or a strip club, where guests can enjoy an original program. Some establishments do not charge admission, but the cost of alcohol is much higher.
If the restaurant is located in a tourist center, you can taste national cuisine on holidays for $9-12. On the outskirts of cities, prices are lower. There are cafes that serve dishes - a plate of borscht is estimated at $3.5-4, dumplings at $4.5-6.
Dishes of national cuisine are sold in numerous tents on city streets. The cost of food is 2-3 times less than in restaurants. Quality reviews are positive - the country strictly monitors compliance with sanitary standards.
Vacation in January 2024 can be spent in Thailand - to escape for a few days from frost to the warm sea of an exotic country. It is better to arrange a trip through a tour operator. Agency staff will select the option at the best cost, recommend the resort most suitable for family vacations or alone.
