Where to chill out this winter in Thailand
The temperature is nice and cool and flowers are in full bloom. December and January are good months to visit the cooler northern regions of Thailand. Here are our Top 5 suggestions for winter in Thailand.
Chiang Rai
The 16th Chiang Rai Flower Festival runs from 27 Dec 2019 to 19 Jan 2020 at the Tung and Khom Park with a wide variety of cool climate flowers, cultural and modern performances by local youth groups and famous bands. The music in the park takes place every Saturday and will run until 15 Feb 2020.
Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival 2019 runs from 25 Dec 2019 until 12 Jan 2020 at the Mae Kok Riverside Flower Park featuring a wide variety of cool climate flowers, cultural performances, and a local fair.
The Six Colours of Doi Tung, features local arts and handicrafts, food, folk performances, and DIY activities that reflect the life of the hill tribe people living on the mountains. Takes place at Doi Tung, from 4-10 Dec, 14-15 Dec, 21 Dec 2019, 5 Jan 2020, and 11-12 Jan 2020. For full details go to Facebook page: DoiTungClub
Mae Salong Tea Tasting Festival takes place from 28 Dec 2019 to 2 Jan 2020 at Ban Santikhiri in Mae Fah Luang district. The event invites local and international travellers to taste Mae Salong’s signature tea, admire cherry blossoms in full bloom, and savour hill tribe food.
Loei
Winter Flower Festival 2019 takes place from 28 Dec 2019 to 1 Jan 2020, at Loei District Office featuring a wide variety of cool climate flowers, contests, music performances, a fair and a New Year mass merit-making ceremony.
Thailand’s Cherry Blossom (Wild Himalayan Cherry) Festival is held in Loei in January and February 2020, at Phu Lom Lo in the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Dan Sai. Check with the TAT Loei Office for the exact dates when the flowers are in bloom.
Nakhon Sawan
Nakhon Sawan Lantern Festival 2019 takes place 24 Dec 2019 to 4 Jan 2020. In addition to the elaborate light displays, there is also a giant light tunnel, Christmas tree and presents made of tiny lights. The 12-day, 12-night event also features music in the park, a singing contest, cover dance shows, black-light colouring activity, and fun fair.
Lop Buri
Sunflower Blooming Festival at Khao Chin Lae is on from 21 Dec 2019 to 2 Jan 2020. Covering over 1200 rai (475 acres), the field is covered with bright yellow blooming sunflowers. Visitors can also take a tram ride through the fields, ride a pony, take selfies with the giant sunflowers, and much more. In the same province, the Sunflower Blooming Festival at Ban Son Lek Fai, covering over 100 rai usually starts before New Year.
Sakon Nakhon
Ban Ta Rae in Sakon Nakhon is home to Thailand’s largest Roman Catholic community, which has celebrated the Christmas star procession annually since 1982. This year the Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade 2019 takes place 21 – 24 Dec 2019, at the Martino Pavilion, Ban Ta Rae, and 25 December at Saint Joseph Sakon Nakhon School. Sakon Nakhon’s famous traditional Christmas Star Parade itself takes place on 23 Dec 2019, from 18.00 Hrs., following by an opening ceremony.