Vientiane - Laos
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Khamla Tours and Guest House
Vientiane - Laos |
Full moon days, festivals in year 2006 for Laos |
Calendar / Festivals
Laos 1 Jan = New year day holiday 14 Jan = Full moon day 20 Jan = Military day Myanmar 4 Jan = Independence day 13 Jan = Full moon day Thailand 1 Jan = New year day holiday 14 Jan = Full moon day 29 Jan = Chinese new year day The weather is cool in the country side and in the mountains, with light rains in some areas. High tourist season. Rivers still hold good water and current.
Laos 13 February = Full moon day (Boun Makhabusa) Myanmar 12 February = National day, full moon day Thailand 13 February = Full moon day (Makha Bucha day) The hot wave comes into most of the plain lowland areas. Vientiane and south-western Laos; greater central and north-eastern Thailand as well as valley areas will be hot to quite hot during day time. On the full moon day there are Buddhist festival arrangements in the towns and cities as well as in the quiet temples in the country side.
Laos 8 March = Women's day 14 March = Full moon day 22 March = People's party day Myanmar 2 March = Peasant day 13 March = Full moon day 27 March = Armed forces day Thailand 14 March = Full moon day March is the start of the official hot season in the region with temperature shooting up. In the plain areas it can be as hot as 40º C during day time and probably more. Good time to go to the hills and mounatains and rivers in Laos where the weather is still fine, and lower river waters showing sand beaches and stones. In many pagodas, there will be festivals with stage shows, traditional dance, magic show, puppet, dramas, food stalls, and shops selling comsumers' products.
Laos 13 April = Full moon day 14, 15, 16 April = New year festival holidays Myanmar 12 April = Full moon day 13, 14, 15, 16 April = "Thingyun" new year water festival Thailand 6 April = Chakri day 13, 14, 15 April = Songkran new year holidays festival 13 April = Full moon day On the full moon day evening people in Laos, Myanmar, Thailand visit the temples to make merit for the lunar new year. This is more appealing in a quiet village temple in the hills. One of the hottest months. Sometimes light rain is received. Lunar new year is celebrated in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Water throwing is the strongest in Myanmar. People who do not want to get wet should stay indoors till 6 PM. Travel during the holidays will be very difficult. Booking of flights, train and hotels must be done well ahead. All the tourist destinations in Thailand are crowded.
Laos 1 May = May day or Labour day holiday 12 May = Full moon day (Boun Visakhabusa) Myanmar 1 May = Workers' day 11 May = Full moon day Thailand 1 May = May day or Labour day holiday 05 May = Coronation day holiday 11 May = Royal Ploughing day 12 May = Full moon day (Visakha Bucha day) Visakabucha day is one of the most important days for Buddhists. On this day three events happened: birth of Lord Buddha, his enlightenment and death. Public sermon during the day, and candle lit procession to pay the respect to the Lord Buddha at night. On full moon day In Myanmar people pour water at the root of sacred "Bo" tree or "Bodhi" tree under which the Buddha attained his enlightenment. Hot month in the region. Day time will sometimes be unbearable in the low land and valley areas with little trees. It is also the start of the low tourist season with hotel prices falling. Hills, sea sides, and islands are the places to take refuge. Paddy farmers prepare for plantation of new rice crop. Occasional light rains are expected during the month. Going for forested hills will need a light rain coat.
Laos 1 June = Children day 11 June = Full moon day Myanmar 10 June = Full moon day Thailand 11 June = Full moon day The month in which "Ti-Pi-Ta-Ka" Buddhist examinations are held. Start of the rainy seaon, but it is still hot in the plains with the outside day time temperatures well above 32º C. Good time to stay in rural areas, and villages in the hills securing the scenic views of nature under the clouds. But the ground can be wet and there may be leeches in the rain forest. Green rice fields are everywhere in the countryside; a busy month for the farmers. Forests recover with new young leaves and plants, and rivers and waterfalls start filling up. Thunder storms will occasionally come to the coastal areas. Traveling to the far away islands in ferry boats may be difficult due to the rough sea.
Laos 10 July = Full moon day (Boun Khaophansa) Myanmar 9 July = Full moon day 19 July = Martyrs' day Thailand 10 July = Full moon day (Asalabucha day) 11 July = Buddhist Lent day July is the beginning of the Buddhist lent. People offer food, shelter, robes and medicines to the monks who are going into the rains retreat. The rain is moderate to heavy; most rivers are fat and it is time for the forest and wildlife to re-grow. Tourists still can go to many places and do sightseeing amids clean air under the clouds. However rain coats and or umbrellas are necessary. In Thailand and Laos white water rafting and canoeing could be done in many rivers. Together with rain leeches appear on the wet ground in some forests especially those in the rain forests.
Laos 9 August = Full moon day 15 August = National constitution day 23 August = Boun Khao Padabdinh and Liberation day Myanmar 8 August = Full moon day Thailand 9 August = Full moon day 12 August = H.M. The Queen's birthday The peak of the rainy season in many places. It may rain up to average around 4 hours or even more a day. Still many tourists come this time taking the advantage of un-crowded places and lower prices. Good time for white water rafting and waterfall visit. The sky patterns in the morning and evening create strangely beautiful scenes. White water rafting and waterfall visit are popular activities.
Laos 7 September = Full moon day (Boun Khao Salak) Myanmar 6 September = Full moon day Thailand 7 September = Full moon day There are boat races on rivers, ponds and lakes in many parts of the country. The rain is still pounding throughout the region, and some places receive heaviest rain. Most rivers are full and good for white water rafting, canoeing and waterfall visit. Paddy fields are green and the background mountains are also under the green canopy of rain forest. Keep a piece of rain coat while you are going outdoor.
Laos 7 October = Full moon day, Boun Okphansa and Teachers' day 8 October = Boun Souang Heua - Vientiane (Boat racing festival) 12 October = Independence day Myanmar 6 October = Full moon day Thailand 7 October = Full moon day (end of Buddhist lent day) 23 October = Chulalongkorn Memoral day The month of end of Buddhist Lent or rains retreat. There are festivals of lights on the full moon day. On the days around the fullmoon day houses, buildings, bridges, streets will be illuminated. Pagodas will be crowded. On Inle lake, southern Shan state of Myanmar, there will be a festival at Phaung Daw Oo pagoda. Buddha images from Phaung Daw Oo pagoda are places on a decorated barge called "Karaweik" (Mythical bird) and taken around the lake stopping at villages for people to pay homage. This is the beginning of the high tourist season and prices start going up. However the southen parts of Myanmar and Thailand still receive good amount of rains. Good time for white water rafting and canoeing.
Laos 5 November = Full moon day, Boun That Luang (Vientiane) Myanmar 4 November = Full moon day 14 November = National day Thailand 5 November = Full moon day (Loy Krathiong day) The weather is good all over the country. Many tourists arrive and enjoy the sights and scenes of the country. You should have planned your travel in November, December at least a couple of months ahead. In Thailand people celebrate Loi Krathong festival by floating "Krathongs" (made of coconut, banana leaves, bamboo and wood in the shapes of lotus, swan, mountain and so on) containing flowers, joss sticks and candles on the water. By floating the Krathongs on the rivers and canals people believe that they can expect for the good things to come next. Sukothai is the most popular place for this festival. Southern parts of Thailand and Myanmar still receive some rains.
Laos 2 Dec = Lao national day 5 Dec = Full moon day Myanmar 4 December = Full moon day 19 December = Kayin (Karen) new year day Thailand 5 Dec = Full moon day, H.M. The King birth day 10 Dec = Constitution day One of the busiest tourist months. The weather is fine, good hotels and popular spots are crowded. However compare to Thailand, places in Myanmar and Lao still offer their original charms and beauty and thus very enjoyable except for the lack of enough good hotel rooms and transportation. |
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