There's no shortage of events in Thailand and on Koh Samui, and they make a great activity you can take part in every day. But there are also exciting events that only happen once a year or once a month. If you happen to be on Samui at the right time, it would be a real shame to miss out. In this list you'll find our TOP 10 Events in Thailand.
First on our Top 10 Events is Chinese New Year, which is celebrated at full moon sometime between 21 January and 20 February. The festival is one of the most spectacular in Asia and is celebrated everywhere. The colourful event lasts around three days and is usually celebrated within the family, though that doesn't mean there aren't big festivals or parades in the streets too.
One of the celebrations takes place near the Chinese temple in Maenam, in the north of the island. There you can experience a big parade, traditional dances and, of course, countless food stalls.
Another place worth visiting is Hua Thanon, at the Guan Yu Shrine, which turns into a colourful street during this time.
If you're planning to visit Koh Samui on Chinese New Year, be sure to book your hotel or holiday accommodation well in advance, as most properties get fully booked.
Location Maenam Temple:click here!Location Guan Yu Shrine:click here!
Every year in May-June, the Koh Samui Regatta takes place off the island's east coast. Before it starts, all the participating boats anchor right off the coast at Chaweng. Watching the waiting boats on the horizon is a truly impressive sight.
All boats are divided into different classes using a points system, so that every participant starts on equal footing. The well-attended main attraction is, of course, the spectacular race itself, and Chaweng is really buzzing during this time. In 2020, you can watch the Samui Regatta from 23 May to 30 May.
Every year in October you can experience the Vegetarian Festival, also known here as "Thetsakan Kin Che". This Taoist festival is celebrated all over Thailand and lasts a total of 9 days.
There are many ceremonies in Chinese temples, and delicious vegetarian food (Che) is offered everywhere. Che simply means the food contains no meat and is refined with special rituals.
In earlier times, this blessed food was only eaten within the temple grounds. The well-known tradition has since expanded, so that today vegetarian food is prepared in many places, and over time it has grown into a proper vegetarian festival.
Every visitor is warmly invited to take part, and you'll find the festival on Koh Samui, for example at the Guan Yu Shrine in Hua Thanon, in the capital Nathon, at the Chinese temple in Maenam, and at many other spots across the island.
Want to learn more about the temples on Samui? Then read our article:Top 10 Temples on Koh Samui
Roughly every six weeks, the "Samui Green Market" - especially popular with health-food lovers - takes place in the fishing village of Bophut (Fisherman's Village), at the Elysia Boutique Resort.
It's a local market where you can try lots of healthy products and delicacies. Naturally, everything is organic and both grown and produced locally.
You can visit the market on the announced Sundays, and there's music, yoga, dance classes, meeting like-minded people and much more on offer.
You can find the event dates on the Green Market Facebook page:Green Market Events and for the location:click here!
On 10 May 2020, the annual Bike Week at Chaweng Lake on Koh Samui takes place for the eleventh time. Bikers from all over Thailand and neighbouring countries travel hundreds of kilometres to Samui to take part in this big event.
The highlights of Bike Week are various shows and competitions where sensational motorbikes are shown off. For entertainment, there are concerts with live music and even an international food fair.
The admission money collected during the event is donated entirely to charitable causes. In 2018, around 500,000 Baht was distributed to hospitals in need on Samui. If your holiday falls within this timeframe, you shouldn't miss this fascinating event.
Location:click here!
Ngan Duan Sib is sometimes also called Ngan Boon Duen Sib or Bra Pae Nee Sart Duen Sib. During the festival days, Thais give offerings to the monks in honour of their deceased relatives.
Participants believe that the deceased ancestors live in a kind of hell as monsters with very small mouths, meaning they're always hungry. To help them, Thais prepare gifts and food so small that the morsels fit into the spirits' tiny mouths.
Famous treats include, for example, Khanom La, Khanom Dee Sam and Khanom Pawng. Each offering has its own meaning, such as representing money, clothing, or a kind of raft so the dead can float between hell and earth.
Around the town of Nathon, in the west of Koh Samui, a huge parade takes place during Ngan Duan Sib, where children and men sometimes dress up as ghosts or skeletons to beg for food or money. The event is overwhelming, and you definitely shouldn't miss it.
The Samui Festival in Chaweng held its fourth edition in 2019, from 13 to 18 September, as a collaboration between Surat Thani Province and various public and private organisations. In 2020 it's expected to take place again between late August and early September.
This major festival was held to mark the 120th anniversary of Koh Samui. The 5-day event's programme includes: free concerts, the world's longest beach buffet (a 2017 Guinness World Record entry), sporting activities such as a marathon and a bike tour, a carnival parade, Thai boxing, and much more. An exciting event for every age group that you definitely shouldn't miss.
You can find information on the event days, programme and location on the Facebook page:Samui Festival
Every month at full moon, the world-famous Full Moon Party takes place on the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan. Countless visitors from all over the world travel there on this day, usually via Koh Samui, to Haad Rin Beach, to dance and party extensively with thousands of other attendees.
Koh Samui offers affordable boat transfer tickets so you can visit the Full Moon Party during your stay on Samui too. The tickets include a round-trip transfer from Samui to Koh Phangan from your accommodation. The crossing to Koh Phangan takes about 60 minutes.
You can also take one of the regular ferries at fixed times during the day from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, and vice versa. The music genres on the beach range from techno, drum'n'bass and EDM, but there are also several bars playing pop or hip-hop. The Full Moon Party is an unforgettable experience that you undoubtedly shouldn't miss.
Book your transfer now and join the party:Full Moon Party Transfer
The magnificent festival of lights, Loy Krathong, is celebrated across Thailand at the first full moon of November. On this day, small floats (krathongs) are made or bought and fitted with an odd number of coins, candles, hair and fingernails.
These additions are meant to disperse and neutralise the worries of the past year. Most locals set their floats afloat on the beach or on the well-known Chaweng Lake.
Every year for the Loy Krathong Festival, a big market springs up there. Other locations where you can experience the celebrations are Lamai Lagoon and Big Buddha.
Location Lamai Lagoon:click here!Location Big Buddha:click here!SongkranTop 10 events in Thailand
Songkran is the actual Thai New Year, also known as the "Water Festival". The spectacle takes place from 13 to 15 April, and on these days you definitely won't stay dry!
Almost everyone, from locals to tourists, is out on the streets taking part in this huge water fight, armed with water pistols, buckets or some other container. The festival is highly significant for Thais and, without exception, huge fun for everyone.
The use of water was originally meant as a cleansing ritual, to begin the "new year" fresh, pure and new. This tradition is especially observed by Thais at home or at the temple. Young Thais wash the hands of older family members, or clean the house, with water to mark a fresh start.
Naturally, at Songkran on Koh Samui, just like everywhere else in Thailand, all hell breaks loose. There are parties, music and happy dancing people everywhere, and you can celebrate to your heart's content. Don't miss this unique event - join in on the most breathtaking water fight in the world!
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First on our Top 10 Events is Chinese New Year, which is celebrated at full moon sometime between 21 January and 20 February. The festival is one of the most spectacular in Asia and is celebrated everywhere. The colourful event lasts around three days and is usually celebrated within the family, though that doesn't mean there aren't big festivals or parades in the streets too.
One of the celebrations takes place near the Chinese temple in Maenam, in the north of the island. There you can experience a big parade, traditional dances and, of course, countless food stalls.
Another place worth visiting is Hua Thanon, at the Guan Yu Shrine, which turns into a colourful street during this time.
If you're planning to visit Koh Samui on Chinese New Year, be sure to book your hotel or holiday accommodation well in advance, as most properties get fully booked.
Location Maenam Temple: click here!
Location Guan Yu Shrine: click here!
Every year in May-June, the Koh Samui Regatta takes place off the island's east coast. Before it starts, all the participating boats anchor right off the coast at Chaweng. Watching the waiting boats on the horizon is a truly impressive sight.
All boats are divided into different classes using a points system, so that every participant starts on equal footing. The well-attended main attraction is, of course, the spectacular race itself, and Chaweng is really buzzing during this time. In 2020, you can watch the Samui Regatta from 23 May to 30 May.
Every year in October you can experience the Vegetarian Festival, also known here as "Thetsakan Kin Che". This Taoist festival is celebrated all over Thailand and lasts a total of 9 days.
There are many ceremonies in Chinese temples, and delicious vegetarian food (Che) is offered everywhere. Che simply means the food contains no meat and is refined with special rituals.
In earlier times, this blessed food was only eaten within the temple grounds. The well-known tradition has since expanded, so that today vegetarian food is prepared in many places, and over time it has grown into a proper vegetarian festival.
Every visitor is warmly invited to take part, and you'll find the festival on Koh Samui, for example at the Guan Yu Shrine in Hua Thanon, in the capital Nathon, at the Chinese temple in Maenam, and at many other spots across the island.
Want to learn more about the temples on Samui? Then read our article: Top 10 Temples on Koh Samui
Roughly every six weeks, the "Samui Green Market" - especially popular with health-food lovers - takes place in the fishing village of Bophut (Fisherman's Village), at the Elysia Boutique Resort.
It's a local market where you can try lots of healthy products and delicacies. Naturally, everything is organic and both grown and produced locally.
You can visit the market on the announced Sundays, and there's music, yoga, dance classes, meeting like-minded people and much more on offer.
You can find the event dates on the Green Market Facebook page: Green Market Events and for the location: click here!
On 10 May 2020, the annual Bike Week at Chaweng Lake on Koh Samui takes place for the eleventh time. Bikers from all over Thailand and neighbouring countries travel hundreds of kilometres to Samui to take part in this big event.
The highlights of Bike Week are various shows and competitions where sensational motorbikes are shown off. For entertainment, there are concerts with live music and even an international food fair.
The admission money collected during the event is donated entirely to charitable causes. In 2018, around 500,000 Baht was distributed to hospitals in need on Samui. If your holiday falls within this timeframe, you shouldn't miss this fascinating event.
Location: click here!
Ngan Duan Sib is sometimes also called Ngan Boon Duen Sib or Bra Pae Nee Sart Duen Sib. During the festival days, Thais give offerings to the monks in honour of their deceased relatives.
Participants believe that the deceased ancestors live in a kind of hell as monsters with very small mouths, meaning they're always hungry. To help them, Thais prepare gifts and food so small that the morsels fit into the spirits' tiny mouths.
Famous treats include, for example, Khanom La, Khanom Dee Sam and Khanom Pawng. Each offering has its own meaning, such as representing money, clothing, or a kind of raft so the dead can float between hell and earth.
Around the town of Nathon, in the west of Koh Samui, a huge parade takes place during Ngan Duan Sib, where children and men sometimes dress up as ghosts or skeletons to beg for food or money. The event is overwhelming, and you definitely shouldn't miss it.
The Samui Festival in Chaweng held its fourth edition in 2019, from 13 to 18 September, as a collaboration between Surat Thani Province and various public and private organisations. In 2020 it's expected to take place again between late August and early September.
This major festival was held to mark the 120th anniversary of Koh Samui. The 5-day event's programme includes: free concerts, the world's longest beach buffet (a 2017 Guinness World Record entry), sporting activities such as a marathon and a bike tour, a carnival parade, Thai boxing, and much more. An exciting event for every age group that you definitely shouldn't miss.
You can find information on the event days, programme and location on the Facebook page: Samui Festival
Every month at full moon, the world-famous Full Moon Party takes place on the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan. Countless visitors from all over the world travel there on this day, usually via Koh Samui, to Haad Rin Beach, to dance and party extensively with thousands of other attendees.
Koh Samui offers affordable boat transfer tickets so you can visit the Full Moon Party during your stay on Samui too. The tickets include a round-trip transfer from Samui to Koh Phangan from your accommodation. The crossing to Koh Phangan takes about 60 minutes.
You can also take one of the regular ferries at fixed times during the day from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, and vice versa. The music genres on the beach range from techno, drum'n'bass and EDM, but there are also several bars playing pop or hip-hop. The Full Moon Party is an unforgettable experience that you undoubtedly shouldn't miss.
Book your transfer now and join the party: Full Moon Party Transfer
The magnificent festival of lights, Loy Krathong, is celebrated across Thailand at the first full moon of November. On this day, small floats (krathongs) are made or bought and fitted with an odd number of coins, candles, hair and fingernails.
These additions are meant to disperse and neutralise the worries of the past year. Most locals set their floats afloat on the beach or on the well-known Chaweng Lake.
Every year for the Loy Krathong Festival, a big market springs up there. Other locations where you can experience the celebrations are Lamai Lagoon and Big Buddha.
Location Lamai Lagoon: click here!
Location Big Buddha: click here!
Songkran is the actual Thai New Year, also known as the "Water Festival". The spectacle takes place from 13 to 15 April, and on these days you definitely won't stay dry!
Almost everyone, from locals to tourists, is out on the streets taking part in this huge water fight, armed with water pistols, buckets or some other container. The festival is highly significant for Thais and, without exception, huge fun for everyone.
The use of water was originally meant as a cleansing ritual, to begin the "new year" fresh, pure and new. This tradition is especially observed by Thais at home or at the temple. Young Thais wash the hands of older family members, or clean the house, with water to mark a fresh start.
Naturally, at Songkran on Koh Samui, just like everywhere else in Thailand, all hell breaks loose. There are parties, music and happy dancing people everywhere, and you can celebrate to your heart's content. Don't miss this unique event - join in on the most breathtaking water fight in the world!
