EVENTS

With so many cultures and beliefs colliding in Bangkok, it's rare to be in town and not run into a festival of some description. This is especially true in the cooler months from November to February, but religious and cultural events occur year-round. Coronation Day is on 5 May - you may get a glimpse of the royals at Wat Phra Kaew. Also celebrated with some fervour in Bangkok is the King's Birthday on 5 December - some residents erect temporary shrines outside their houses or businesses.

On the cultural side of things, May sees the Royal Ploughing Ceremony halt traffic around Sanam Luang - this ancient Brahman ritual marks the official opening of the rice-planting season. The Thailand International Swan-Boat Races take place in Bangkok in October, and see colourful crowds flocking to the Rama IX Bridge over the Chao Phraya River.

Public holidays include : New Year's Day, Chakri Day (6 April), Visakha Puja (15th day of the waxing moon in the sixth lunar month), Coronation Day (5 May), Khao Phansa (July), Queen's Birthday (August), Chulalongkorn Day (23 October), King's Birthday (5 December), Constitution Day (10 December).

Public Holidays
5 May - Coronation Day
1 Jan - New Year's Day
Jan-Mar - Magha Puja
6 Apr - Chakri Day
Apr - Songkhran Festival
23 Oct - Chulalongkorn Day
5 Dec - King's Birthday
Jul - Khao Phansaa
10 Dec - Constitution Day
12 Aug - Queen's Birthday
Jul - Asalha Puja
May - Visakha Puja

While there's really no bad time to visit Thailand's capital, rain and extreme heat are less frequent between November and February. April is only recommended to those with portable air conditioners, while October brings the heaviest rains - these are probably the best times to be out of Thailand. The tourists flock to Bangkok in December and August, while the least crowded months tend to be May, June and September.