July

July sees the beginning of rainy season in Thailand and is a fairly quiet month compared to all the festivities normally going on. This slower pace is perfect for new arrivals and gives gap year students a chance to settle into Thai life with their host family and new friends. It’s not uncommon for schools to schedule annual ceremonies during this quieter time which will give a real taste of Thai school culture. Schools will also prepare for their annual sports event which is a prestigious time of the year. With Thailand’s passion for sport and western style colligate culture, annual sports day is important to both students and the local area. You may be surprised just how similar it feels compared to sports day at high school back home with regional marching bands and colorful parades. At the end of July Thailand celebrates Asalha Bucha Day. This Buddhist day signifying the first sermon of the Buddha and is an important holiday for Thai people. It’s also another great opportunity to experience authentic Thai life and to learn more about Buddhist beliefs.

 

August

As you make new friends and immerse yourself in daily life you will notice more and more about Thai culture. Probably the most obvious observation will be the impact of Thailand’s prestigious monarchy and the collective love the people of Thailand have for both His Majesty the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen of Thailand, Sirikit. Mid August experience this love firsthand as they celebrate Her Majesty’s birthday. This holiday sees Thailand share in a day of respect to both Her Majesty and mothers nationwide. Join your host family and friends in lighting ceremonial candles of respect and enjoy the local festivities as they celebrate with music, dance and amusements. For families this day is very important with similarities to Mother’s Day in western culture. For younger teens schools often hold a ceremony for mothers to attend, whereby sons and daughters can show their gratitude and respect publicly. Experience the close loyalty Thai people have for family and reflect on how it compares to modern western culture.  

 

September

Two month in and you should now be feeling settled and experiencing some great moments with friends as you explore the local area. During September the rains continue frequently. The shear amount deposited on the roads and streets in just a short time will astonish you. Although flooding is an issue in some parts of Thailand, you’ll be presently surprised how Thai people and their daily lives adapt so easily. The rains later in the year are happily embraced by Thai people as they celebrate its importance for the ongoing growth and annual life cycle of crops such as rice. As you near the end of September experience Mahidol Day, a national holiday in remembrance of Prince Mahidol, the father of Thailand’s current King, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej. This day once again reflects the importance of Thailand’s Royal Monarchy with Thai people. 

 

October

Following some good rain and a sudden spurt in plant life, there’s lots of natural produce available in October. This coincides with traditional celebrations in Chinese culture and it’s not uncommon for there to be different food festivals across regions of Thailand. Most festivals are for vegetarian food and include endless markets of cheep delicious snacks prepared in celebration. Towards the end of October Thailand celebrates Chulalongkorn Day a national holiday in memory of King Chulalongkorn the Great. His Majesty King Rama V led several major reforms in the Kingdom of Thailand, including developments in Thai education and military forces. He was also responsible for establishing Thailand’s earliest railroads. His Majesty’s accomplishment’s mark an important period of the Chakri dynasty and are very much worthy of celebration with the people of Thailand today. Late October also sees the end of Buddhist lent whereby monks complete the three month period of prayer and meditation. For some teens who have pledged commitment as novice monks during this time and stayed within the temple monetary, the end of lent allows them to return home to see family and friends. It’s not uncommon for families to hold small parties to celebrate the end of lent and another great opportunity for you to involve yourself in all the festivities. 

 

November

It might be hard to believe but you’ve been in Thailand for most of the fall and are already nearing to the half way point of your gap year in Thailand. For most students the time fly's by, but there's still so much more to experience on this cultural journey of discovery. November is a highlight month for many gap students with Thailand's spectacular Loy Kratong Festival. This ancient celebration considered by many to be the most enchanting of the Thai Buddhist calendar is not to be missed. Join your host family and friends as they float beautifully decorated reefs across local rivers or lakes for future good luck. During the celebration watch as thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky and float for miles in a spectacular array of color. The occasion is truly breathtaking.

 

December

December is also a very special month for students to experience the most important celebration of the year for Thai people, the birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej. Join your host family and visit your local temple to show respect and make merit together. On this special day Thai people join nationwide by wearing yellow shirts that signify the color of His Majesty the King. Where ever you are in Thailand, local parks and gardens fill with people to celebrate in song and happiness. This special time of year is truly overwhelming. Towards the end of December Thailand celebrates Constitution Day which marks the Royal Family’s reign of the Kingdom under Thailand’s constitution. December can be a mixed emotion month for students who have never been away from family and friends over Christmas. This time of year is very important, particularly in western culture but having the chance to experience it in Thailand won't disappoint. Joins your local friends and host family in making this a truly memorable occasion and not so different to what you might expect. Experiencing these international celebrations from a completely different perspective is what it is all about. 

 

January

Its Western New Year and one of three New Year celebrations you will experience on your year out. December and January are the cooler months of year in Thailand and offer a pleasant change to the hot humid weather experienced most of the year. It’s also the time of year where Thai people gather for vast street markets at public parks to purchase just about anything and everything. Such community gatherings are common all over Thailand at this time of year and is another great opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of real Thai life. Enjoy local amusements and traditional Thai music concerts around every corner as you continue your Thailand adventure. January is also an important month to continue learning about Thai high school culture as students participate in various community service projects with local people to gain merit. The concept of gaining merit is very important in Thai belief and relates to peoples’ strong Thai Buddhist faith. It’s also something very different to western culture and is one of many cultural stamps that define the Kingdom of Thailand as a truly unique country to experience as student abroad.  

 

February

Being a country of spectacular celebration, it's time to experience the second of three New Years in Thailand, with Chinese New Year. Celebrated by Thailand’s large Chinese community, the Lunar New Year is not a national holiday in Thailand as such however its presence is still often felt around the country with parties long into the night. Explore your home away from home to the sound of firecrackers and an array of fireworks. Get lost in the moment as you wonder markets and street vendors, tasting some of best food Thailand has to offer. Mid February sees two very important days for Thai people. First is Makha Bucha day. Historically this national holiday commemorates the spontaneous coming together of many monks to pay homage to the Buddha and his teachings. It is a time when local families show respect and gratitude to the monk community by sharing alms and is an important part of traditional life. Sharing this time with your new friends and host family will give you the authentic feel for Thai life you are on a quest for. Following comes Valentines Day, which although you may consider a western tradition is extremely important in both Thai and other Southeast Asian cultures today.    

 

March

With March being the end of school year in Thailand high schools will be gearing up for graduation and the schools’ end of term talent shows. This is a time where your classmates will want to share their achievements with you as a new member of their high school and will likely ask you to help with ideas and preparation as a western teen. This is not only a great chance for you to continue immersing yourself in authentic Thai high school culture, but also a time to further strengthen bonds with school friends as you look towards the summer holiday period. During mid March also sees national holidays that celebrate key symbols of Thai heritage, firstly with Thailand’s national elephant festival and then national Muay Thai Day. Elephants are extremely important to Thai identity with routes in ancients battle that protected Thailand longest serving monarchy. Muay Thai, more commonly referred to as Thai boxing is also honoured for similar reasons as the traditional fighting system of Thailand.   

 

April

As you near the end of your Thailand gap year it's time to look back and reflect on the incredible journey you've undertaken. Everyone from your local community will be sad to see you go and will want to make this last month extra special. Before jetting off home to reunite with family and friends its time to enjoy what's probably the most fun month of the year in Thailand. Firstly in April Thai Buddhists celebrate Chakri Day. This public holiday acknowledges the beginning of Thailand’s Chakri Dynasty in 1783 by His Majesty the King of Thailand Rama I. It also pays tribute to the Kings’ contributions to the Kingdom of Thailand’s development. Thailand is the only Southeast Asia nation to have never been colonized by European rule and all Thai people are extremely proud of their monarchy. Learning about Thailand’s rich history and experiencing this passion first hand will leave a permanent stamp you. As you move in to the height of summer vacation and Thailand’s hot season with temperatures as high as 40oC, prepare to get wet, really wet. Mid April hosts Songkran Festival, Thailand’s New Year celebration. This is a time where the whole country comes together for three days of music, dance and friendly water fights. There literally isn’t a dry spot in sight come the end and it’s known around the world as one of Asia’s most popular celebrations. The sharing of water represents the washing away of old troubles and preparing for a clean year ahead. This month is often the pinnacle for all students who experience it and is the perfect Thailand farewell celebration.