Chanthaburi Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Phra Phutthabat Phluang Homage-paying Fair (งานนมัสการรอยพระพุทธบาทพลวง)

Held on the new Mun day of the 2nd lunar month during the period of the Chinese New Year to Magha Puja (around January-March) on top of Khao Khitchakut, Tambon Phluang, Amphoe Makham. The fair features an offering ceremony to guardian angels, gilding the Lord Buddha’s footprint, and climbing up Khao Khitchakut. The tradition has been observed for generations out of a folk belief that climbers will gain high merit, in addition, to mental endurance from so doing. In the past, merit-makers had to walk on foot for a distance of some 15 Kilometres up the mountain.

Phra Phutthasaiyat Gilding Fair (งานปิดทองพระพุทธไสยาสน์)

Held around the period of the Chinese New Year to pay homage and gild the image of Phra Phutthasaiyat or Reclining Buddha at Wat Phai Lom and featuring Dharma preaching and various forms of entertainment.

Rajamangala Rak Lueang Chan Festival (งานราชมงคลรักษ์เหลืองจันท์)

Is held in February of every year at Rajamangala Institute of Technology (Eastern Campus). There will be an academic exhibition, Lueang Chanthabun Orchid Competition, and sales of agricultural products and plants.

Kwian Phrabat Tug-of-war Tradition (ประเพณีชักกะเย่อเกวียนพระบาท)

Held around the Songkran Festival at Wat Tapon Yai, Amphoe Khlung. This tradition has been observed for more than a century and will feature a Rot Nam Dam Hua ceremony (pouring scented water onto the hands of the elderly to seek their blessing), Kwian Phrabat or the Buddha’s footprint cart tug-of-war, and various forms of entertainment during the night.

World Durian Festival (งานมหกรรมทุเรียนโลก)

Held annually for 1-2 weeks in the month of May at the Triangular Na Choei Ground. The fair features contests of fruit decorated floats, beauty queens, Eastern famous fruits such as rambutan, durian, mangosteen, Rakam and Sala zalaccas and varieties of santol and Thai ridgeback dog, as well as booth displays of gems and jewellery and other farmer housewife groups.

Chanthaburi Gemstone and Local Product Fair (งานเปิดโลกอัญมณีและของดีเมืองจันท์)

Is the largest jewellery fair in the eastern region, held during 8-12 December of every year, at the Chanthaburi Gems Centre, on Tri Rat and Chanthanimit Roads.

King Taksin the Great Commemoration Day and Chanthaburi Red Cross Fair (งานวันสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราชรำลึก และงานกาชาดจังหวัดจันทบุรี)

Annually held from 28 December to the first week of January at the Provincial Stadium to commemorate his courageous liberation of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. The fair will feature exhibitions by public agencies, booth display of the province’s local products, and Miss Chanthaburi Beauty Pageant.

Khao Soi Dao Tourism Festival (เทศกาลท่องเที่ยวเขาสอยดาว)

Held toward the end of the year at viewpoints of Soi Dao District Office and Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary. Activities include selling of agricultural produce and OTOP products, cultural performances, Soi Dao lucky draw, and sales of the district’s famous fruits such as longan, sweet tamarind, etc.