Thailand in February is relatively cool and dry, with lots of sunshine and little rainfall. A good time to visit? Events include the Elephant Boat Races and River Festival as well as Makha Bucha, flower festivals in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and local festivals in other Thai cities.
Because of the pandemic, the situation in Thailand remains fluid. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain whether events will go ahead in 2022. I’ve listed the events usually scheduled to take place in February with the note “2022 date pending”. In fact, many of these events might be either canceled or postponed.
Why Visiting Thailand in February Makes Sense
One of the driest and coolest months of the year, February can be an excellent month to visit Thailand.
After Thai New Year, Thailand’s second most important domestic holiday, Makha Bucha, falls in February.
There are also flower festivals in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and some interesting local festivals in other parts of the country – many of which are far off the well-beaten tourism track.
Most exciting for tourists and expats, perhaps, is the Elephant Boats Races.
Weather in Thailand in February
February is at the end of Thailand’s so-called “cool season”. The average daily high in Bangkok is 33 Celsius, or 91 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 23 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are similar temperatures throughout the country, although some spots are a few degrees higher, and others a few degrees lower.
Ayutthaya and Krabi, for example, have an average high of 93 degrees Fahrenheit in February, whereas Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Udon Thani have an average high of 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
February is also the dry season, with an average of only two rainy days and about 10 millimeters of rain.
In This Post
What to See and Do in Thailand in February
Here’s a short-list of some of the Thai festivals and holidays that take place in Thailand in February.
Please note: some of the times have not yet been fixed for 2020. If dates for this year’s events are not listed in the title, last year’s date is noted at the end of the listing for reference. Dates will be updated as soon as possible.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival – 4 to 6 February 2022
Suan Buak Hat Park in Chiang Mai is transformed into an open-air exhibition centre with floral displays and agricultural exhibitions. There are also contests, and plants can be purchased.
A highlight of the festival is a parade of floral floats that make their way through city streets accompanied by celebrants marching in traditional Thai costumes.
Nai Lert Art & Floral Popup – 12 to 14 February 2022
The Nai Lert Art & Floral Popup will feature flower installation at the Ma Maison and Lady L Garden Bistro restaurants as well as a flower painting art exhibition and a photo exhibition inside Nai Lert Park Heritage Home in Bangkok.
Makha Bucha – 16 February 2022
The second most important festival of the year in Thailand, Makha Bucha (also spelled Magha Puja) celebrates a gathering that was held in Northern India between the Buddha and 1,250 of his first disciples 10 months after his enlightenment.
According to tradition …
- All of the disciples came without being summoned.
- All of them were enlightened.
- All of them were ordained by the Lord Buddha himself.
- It was the full-moon of the third lunar month.
Makha Bucha is a day during which lay people make merit by holding processions, lighting candles, and making offerings.
Candlelight processions and other activities are held at most temples.
As a Buddhist holiday, the sale of alcohol is strictly prohibited during Makha Bucha. That means you can’t buy alcohol for a period of 24 hours!
The third of February is also celebrated as Veteran’s Day in Thailand.
- 2023 – 6 March
- 2024 – 24 February
Celebrated nationwide.
Full Moon Party – 17 February 2022
Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Sunris Beach on Koh Phangan, an island near Koh Samui. Photo Credit: Per Meistrup.
- CHECKING TO SEE IF THE FULL MOON PARTIES ARE STILL BEING HELD
The Full Moon Party is held on the beach of Haad Rin every month on the night of the full moon.
DJs play a variety of musical styles including trance, dubstep, reggae, and techno. Jugglers, fire-eaters, and fireworks add drama to the all-night event.
Haad Rin is crescent shaped beach located on the island of Ko Pha Ngan. It can be reached by boat from Koh Samui, an island off the coast of Southern Thailand.
Koh Samui is 293 miles (471 kilometres) south of Bangkok. Because the drive takes nearly 10 hours, air travel is recommended,. The flight takes just over one hour.
Baan Tawai Village Woodcarving Fair – 2022 Date Pending
The fair is a focal point for wood artisans from across Chiang Mai. It also features cultural performances, a woodcarving competition, a cooking contest, the sale of handcrafted items including silverware, lacquerware, hand-woven textile and basketry.
At Baan Tawai Woodcarving Village – 90 Moo 2 Baan-Tawa, Khun Khong, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The village is about 16 kilometres from the municipality of Chiang Mai.
Ban Chiang World Heritage Festival – 2022 Date Pending
The archaeological site of Ban Chiang in Udon Thani Province, and the area that surrounds it, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.
In celebration, Udon Thani province organizes the Ban Chiang World Heritage Festival each year with an eye to highlighting the rich history of this nearly forgotten culture.
There is a trade fair of five-star OTOP products Tai Phuan activities, the ceremony of paying homage to sacred entity (Pu Khun Chiang Sawat), a cultural parade, and light and sound performances of Tai Phuan in Ban Chiang.
At the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site and National Museum, Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. .
King Narai Reign Fair – 2022 Date Pending
The era of King Narai the Great is re-enacted during the nine-day King Narai Reign Fair, which celebrates King Narai the Great (1580–1655).
Highlights include a regal ceremony and a spectacular procession of floats, horses, and elephants.
There is a changing of the guards performance, a light-and-sound presentation, various cultural displays and dance performances, and a “retro” market featuring shops offering traditional food and beverages in exchange for ‘ancient’ Thai bullet money.
At King Narai’s Palace, Lopburi, Thailand. From 8 to 17 February 2019.
Maga Puja Hae Pha Khuen That Festival – 2022 Date Pending
The Hae Pha Khuen That Festival aims to promote Buddhist tourism in Thailand.
There are exhibitions, a procession, the draping of a very long piece of holy cloth around the base of a stupa that contains sacred relics and other merit-making activities
The pagoda is considered to be the representative of Lord Buddha. Local devotees believe it possess a tremendous amount of righteousness of the holy relics it contains.
The festival is held twice a year during Makha Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of February) and Visakha Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of May).
Book hotel rooms in Nakhon Si Thammarat early as this festival is very popular.
At Royal Park Si Thammarat, Soi Wat Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nai Mueang, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. From 13 to 19 February 2019.
Phuket Food Festival – 2022 DATE PENDING
More than 100 food vendors will be serving up seafood, local favourites, and fusion dishes from 4 pm to 10 pm at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town, Phuket.
One of the biggest food events in Southern Thailand, the Phuket Food Festival also features music and live entertainment.
Saphan Hin Park, Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand. From 1 to 7 March, 4 pm to 10 pm.
Krabi Naga Fest – 2022 DATE PENDING
An outdoor music festival, the Krabi Naga Music Fest will be held across three days on a beach in southern Thailand.
There will be performances by well-known pop-jazz musicians and singers. There will also be cultural shows, street shows, and a local products fair.
Fresh seafood and other delicacies will be on sale from the kitchens of nearby four- and five-star hotels and resorts.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Breezing Beach and Music”.
Khlong Muang Beach, Mueang District, Krabi, Thailand. From 1 to 3 March, 5 pm to 12 midnight, free admission.
Elephant Boat Races – 2022 DATE PENDING
The second annual King’s Cup Elephant Boat Race & Riverside Festival will be held along the banks of the Chao Praya River in Bangkok this year.
Traditional Thai dancers, Buddhist monks, Hindu Brahmins, and brass bands will kick off the event.
Elephant boat teams will compete alongside the Thai Navy Seals, paddling elephant-themed dragon boats on the Chao Phraya River.
The Asia Cup Indoor Rowing Championships will run concurrently with the event, and Friday is open to all comers. No prior experience is needed. All fitness levels are welcome to take part.
Celebrity chefs from some of Bangkok’s top restaurants will serve up some of their signature dishes at the Foodie Village. You can wash the yummy tidbits down with artisan cocktails.
Champagne and beer tents will offer the best spots to watch the action on the river and the the fireworks displays. There will be all three evenings.
Photos of 2020 Elephant Boat Races Final Day
Final day of the Elephant Boat Races in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo Credit: Anantara Hotels.
Photos of 2020 Elephant Boat Races Day One
Photos of 2019 Elephant Boat Races Day One
The first-ever King’s Cup Elephant Boat Race and River Festival got underway on 29 March 2019 on the shores of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand.
The opening ceremony began with a spiritual blessing, which was followed by Thai dancing and traditional drumming.
Twelve teams took to the waves to compete for the coveted King’s Cup. Included were the Royal Thai Navy Seals and both domestic and international teams.
The bows of the boats were fashioned after elephant heads. The sterns were fashioned after Thai fish tails.
Elephant Boat Races 2019 Event Highlights
Open-air concerts will be held on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Rapper J Jetrin and pop star Atom, whose renditions of “Aow” and “Please” topped the charts, will perform on Friday night.
- Duo New Jew will perform soulful ballads. Singto Numchok play will surf-rock and reggae-pop on Saturday night.
Saturday is Ladies’ Day, and everyone is invited to dress up in nostalgic “Old Siam” themed finery. The Grand Prize is a trip to the Maldives.
There will be elephant themed creative painting workshops and interactive displays for the kids.
The closing ceremony will feature a vintage car show and live jazz performances.
And check this out: ticket sales will go to a worthy cause.supports charity.
Fully 100% of tickets sales will go to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF), which will donate the proceeds to a wide range of elephant related charities.
Plus every ticket purchased gives festival goers a chance to win luxury Anantara hotel stays worldwide.
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