This Buddhist festival, which takes place on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, celebrates the day when the Buddha held his first sermon after his enlightenment to his first five disciples. This is also the day when the first Buddhist monk was ordained. The next day is the beginning of Buddhist Lent and the rainy season retreat of the monks. There are numerous religious celebrations and festivals across the country. The best known festival is probably Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival.
With a lot of traditions, festivals in Thailand are numerous and some are worldwide famous. Loy Krathong sometimes also called the Festival of Lights is held in November and was elected second best festival in the world. It must be said that this is the most photogenic festival in Thailand.
The main events of the Buddhist calendar but also the anniversaries of the King and Queen of Thailand and other days related to the History of the country are holidays in Thailand. If banks and administrations are generally closed those days, transport, shops and restaurants operate normally.