The Lotus Festival Of Thailand
The lotus flower is a very important part of Thai life. It is also the most commonly found flower in Thailand. It is found in ponds, swamps, canals and also in the temples of Thailand.
Besides being used in temples and prayers, lotus also has medicinal properties and is used extensively in traditional Thai medicine. Besides this, many handicrafts across Thailand are inspired by the beauty of this flower.
Every year on the 14th full moon night in October, the Lotus Flower festival is held at Bang Phi in Samut Prakan district of Thailand. This festival is celebrated one day before end of the Buddhist Lent. Bang Phi is renowned for its lotus flowers which grows in abundance here. People from all across Thailand come here year in and year out, collect the lotus flowers and offer them to the monks. This Lotus Flower Festival is considered as one of the merit making festivals in Thailand.
During the festival, the image of Buddha is carried on a boat. This image is a replica of Luang Poh To Buddha image. People stand on either sides of the canal and they throw lotus flowers on the boat carrying the Buddha image. These flowers are meant as homage to Lord Buddha, Dhamma and Sangka. The local people also throw lotus flowers on the boats’ of the visitor as a gesture of welcoming them to join the festival.
As per traditions, Buddhist from across Thailand come to this district to pick flowers to offer to monks. The local people consider this as an honor and believe they will be blessed so they volunteer to keep the flowers to distribute it to the visitors. This tradition has become known as the Lotus Receiving Festival or Rap Bua festival.
Seeing the Temples of Thailand
In Thailand, travelers can appreciate sacred religious buildings, statues, and artifacts; admire the amazing scenery; and enjoy delicious cuisine, all at the same time. Many travelers plan a visit to Thailand with a particular focus in mind: seeing the temples of Thailand.
Thailand’s culture is a mixture of influence from Cambodia, Southeast Asia, and India, creating a very unique culture indeed. Buddhism is the national religion and respect towards ancestors and towards religion is essential in this culture. That is why there are so many different temples throughout Thailand – there are over 31,000.
Ancient Palace – The ancient temple is officially called Wat Phra Si san Phet. This temple was the largest temple in the area and was used as a royal palace during its history. The main attraction is a complex at the entrance to the palace which has a number of buildings that visitors can wander through to get a feel for the ancient past of this beautiful temple.
Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit – This temple is special because it contains one of the largest bronze Buddha statues that can be found in Thailand. It was restored in the 1950s and was the first site for royal cremations.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram – This beautiful temple is a must-see for those who are visiting Thailand for the first time. It was built in 1630 on the Chao Phraya River and was designed to look much like temples that can be found in Cambodia. There are over 100 Buddha images and statues in the building, and most travelers state that it is one of the most peaceful and mystical temples that a visitor to the area can enjoy.
The temples of Thailand are much more than historical and religious structures; they are magical as well, prompting thousands of visitors every year, regardless of their religious beliefs, to flock to these amazing and beautiful sites.

