Festivals, Night Markets, Unique Local Sites of SE Asia

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By Gems Of Travel
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Looking for unique things to go do & see?  Well you came to the right blog post.  There’s tonnnnns of things to do in Southeast Asia.  Tons!

Let us introduce you to night markets and sites unique to the local area.  Festivals and holidays are an extra bonus – they can’t be missed if you are lucky enough to be in town at the right time.

Tip

have some Rest & Relaxation time after a long day on your feet having fun (and we know you will).

It’s a pleasant way to cap the day off … the sprinkles on top if you will.  Massages are roughly $15 USD (or lower) per hour. So, indulge a little.

Night Markets

Night markets should be on the top of your todo fun list.  They are lively; bustling with food, lights, and handicrafts for sale.  It’s almost like a fair that happens every day, albeit at a smaller scale.  Fun, fun, fun! Along with live music and maybe a game or two for the children – you will be entertained.

Night markets, or a similar nightlife, is common place in many towns.  Just search “night market” or “food market” in google maps in any town you are at.  To be honest, if that doesn’t work then just ride on motorbike until you find it.

Anyway, here’s a few of the markets to mention:

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Vientianne, Laos

Night market along the Mekong river.

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Chaing Mai, Thailand

Downtown market on the weekend.  All the streets are closed to traffic, becoming pedestrian only.

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Food street. China town also has a decent market.

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Vietnam

Food street in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and Beer street in Hanoi.

A row overlooking a long table full with various food choices at a bustling food night market in Thailand. A seller is handing back change to a customer who purchased food, holding it in a plastic bag to-go. There are several other people in the background. There is a small walkway (about two people wide) with tables all along each side of the walkway. This image focus on the tables on the right-hand side.
A street food stall in Bangkok, Thailand with about twenty local dishes, each on individual pans. The pans are placed against one another along a few tables, allowing customers to see everything on display and choose their next meal.
Several pre-cooked food dishes being sold at an indoor food market in Thailand. The food, is of course, Thai food.
A festival in Thailand that is full of food booths. This image shows the part of the festival setup along a small, still, river. There is a food booth in the foreground, in which the seller is in a small boat (it is mounted to the sidewalk, but overhangs into the river). There are festival flags sprawling across the entire length of the river. These flags are triangle shaped, of different solid colors, and attached to a rope that is connected to elevated points on both sides of the river.
A temporary outdoor night market along a walkway during a holiday in Thailand. There are lanterns hanging above the walkway, and the market is busy with people. For sale are some snacks, handicrafts, and kratongs (a flower origami-type thing that is put into the water with a candle during the Loi Krathong holiday. The holiday celebrated is actually two holidays at the same time, Loi Krathong (involves hand made krathongs) and Yi Peng (lantern festival).
A typical outdoor Thai-style market, specifically for having a sit down meal at. There are tables & chairs and people eating. This is similar to a hawker area in Malaysia & Singapore. Barely noticeable in this image, is how there are multiple vendors, which are essentially different restaurants.
A designated market called "Bangkok's Street Food", which seeks to capture the street food offerings and vibe of Thailand street food in one spot - a market.
A Seven Eleven convenience store in Thailand with food stalls outside the entrance. Food includes a few different grilled meats and a few Thai dishes packaged in plastic bags.

Historical Sites & Museums

Dinosaur fossils  (in Thailand)

A hotbed of dinosaur fossils have been discovered throughout the Northeast part Thailand, called Isaan. Sites with dinosaur footprints, and Dino museums are points of interest.

WW2 History Sites

While Thailand was neutral in WW2, the Japanese were allowed to occupy western city of Kachanburi (similarly to how the USA was in Udon Thani). It is a must-visit area of WW2 sites, including the (1) bridge over river Kwai, (2) “Hellfire pass” section of the “Death railway”, and (3) a war museum. You can even(4) take a ride on the train that passes on the death railway.

A view looking down on the hellfire pass at it's most popular point where prisoners of war were force by Japanese soldiers to chisel through a large rock area and lay railway track. This rock area has steep and high walls, which are up to twenty-five meters deep and seventy-five meters long. On top of the rocky area is a cart on a track, which demonstrates how the prisoners carted-away the rock they chiseled out. Located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
On the River Kwai Bridge in which the tourist train runs on. There is a train on the bridge, slowly approaching the photographer, who is on the tracks. However, there are viewing decks on the bridge for people to wait on as the train slowly passes by. This has world war two significance, and is located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Stacks of world war two era Japanese cash within and surrounding a safe at the hellfire pass museum in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The case is old and moldy, but decently well preserved.
A view with a small set of railway tracks on display within the hellfire pass at it's most popular point where prisoners of war were force by Japanese soldiers to chisel through a large rock area and lay railway track. This rock area has steep and high walls, which are up to twenty-five meters deep and seventy-five meters long. On top of the rocky area is a cart on a track, which demonstrates how the prisoners carted-away the rock they chiseled out. Located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
A view within the hellfire pass at it's most popular point where prisoners of war were force by Japanese soldiers to chisel through a large rock area and lay railway track. This rock area has steep and high walls, which are up to twenty-five meters deep and seventy-five meters long. On top of the rocky area is a cart on a track, which demonstrates how the prisoners carted-away the rock they chiseled out. Located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
A display at the Hellfire Pass museum in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. It depicts how prisoners of war worked (slaved) on the Thailand - Burma railway construction, and were guarded by Japanese soldiers during World War two. Located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Angkor Wat Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Fun Fact

“Wat” means temple, and that’s exactly what Angkor Wat is – a temple.

Angkor Wat is one of many temples inside Angkor Archaeological Park. There’s so much to the Park, though Angkor Wat is the crown jewel.

Notice on the Cambodian flag 🇰🇭, Angkor Wat is the symbol of Cambodia, connecting the people through the shared heritage of the Khmer Empire.

Angkor Wat temple within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This image is at the a retention pond, located in front of the west side of Angkor Wat. The temple can be seen, along with it's reflection of the water, providing a mirror-like image.
The grounds within the Angkor Wat temple complex within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This image was taken at the west side of Angkor Wat, looking east at it.
The road leading to and within the Angkor Wat temple complex grounds. This is located within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This image does not show Angkor Wat, but from the road looks towards the west entrance gate of the complex. There is a small building to the left and right, in which this road goes between. A palm tree is in the foreground next to the road.
A building within the grounds of the Angkor Wat complex. There are two people, a male and female, resting on the steps of this small building. This is located within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Noticed we said “empire“. That’s because it doesn’t stop with Angkor Wat! The whole area is a park with many ancient temples and buildings, not just Angor Wat.

Bayon Temple, and others, are amount the most unique structures in the world.

One of the four Bayon gate entrances to enter Angkor Thom. The entrance ground is all dirt, and the the gate made of stone. The top of the gate has four ancient Cambodian faces, which makes it a unique piece of archetecture. However, only one can be seen in this image. Each face is on one side, for a total of four sides - one face on each side of the entrance, one face to the left and one face to the right. This is located within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A close-up of the stone statues allong the Angkor Thom south gate. These are individual statues of men pulling a long naga serpent. The naga serpent spans the entire length of the bridge, and the individual men are attached to the naga, at about a meter and a half (five feet) apart. This image shows only two of those male statues.
An image taken on the wall of one of the four Bayon gate entrances to enter Angkor Thom. The image is of the top part of the gate, which is an ancient Cambodian face. The are two trees on the wall. The image of the face is seen between these two trees. This is located within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of many temples to explore within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This image shows the temple with grounds of dirt. There is a wooden walkway constructed for tourists, which is part of the preservation of the UNESCO site.
A tree that has grown on top of a temple, and it's large roots sprawl down the side of it's wall. This image shows a small section of the temple wall with the tree and it's roots. Like much of the archetecture withing the Angkor Archeological Park, the stone wall has intricate carvings and window openings. This wall is about twelve feet (four meters) tall, in which the tree sits on top of.

Angkor Wat park was the epicenter of the Khmer Empire, but it’s empire stretched far and wide, building temples all throughout the lands. Over the centuries, as you can imagine, the dividing lines between countries has been drawn and re-drawn numerous times. So, evidence of the empire is not limited to Cambodia. Modern day Thailand and Southern Laos contain remnants of Khmer temples within the country’s boundaries. As time goes on, archeological efforts progress in reconstructing buildings with their fallen stones.

Sukhothai Historical Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Sukhothai is in Thailand, and the Sukhothai Empire the “first Thai kingdom” and considered Thailand’s “first capital” until being moved to Ayutthaya and later Bangkok. Don’t confuse it with Angkor Wat Park (Khmer Empire).

Ayutthaya (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Ayutthaya is the newest of sites to visit ancient ruins (well, not so ancient compared to others). It is the closest to Bangkok, and easiest to access from the city center of Ayutthaya and it’s train station. As mentioned, this was Thailand’s second capital before it’s final change to modern day Bangkok.

Unique Local Sites

Unique Local Sites go hand-in-hand with Sights, Sunsets, View Points.  These get us dreaming of adventures, and shape memories of fond experiences.  Going to Southeast Asia is about doing what you cannot do in your home country, so get out there and see the sites.

The Countryside And Rice Fields

Riding straight out to the country-side is a SE Asian motorbike adventurer’s favorite. So much to explore far way from the city.

Life out here is different, slower, and less accustomed to foreigners. Dare we say it is the ‘real’ Vietnam/Thailand/Cambodia/etc?

These are the small towns that tourists usually pass right through or go around. Go slow through them, stop, wonder around, and have a coffee and bit to eat.

A rice field in the country side of Vietnam with a single two-story home. There are many palm trees in the image and the home is surrounded by plants and palm trees.
A motorbike rider on a small narrow road in the countryside of Bali, Indonesia. The road is blacktop - well maintained & smooth - with several plam trees along it. There is a bench along the road, too. The road is only the width for one small car, but there is a center dividing line indicating it is a two lane for motorbikes. The rider is riding towards and approaching the spot of the photographer.
A motorbike (scooter) rider in Cambodia riding in the countryside on a dirt boulevard (a road with trees all along the road on each side of it). This road has green rice fields on each side, and a canal along each side of the road that stretches the full length of the road to irrigate the fields. The road is flat, and the sky is clear without clouds. It is daytime.
A hut next to a rice field in the countryside of Southeast Asia, which appears to be a resting spot for farmers and locals. The hut is on a back dirt road. It's construction is very simple - vertical wooden beams and an elevated wooden platform attached to it. There is a roof, and three side made with old rusty corrugated sheet metal. There is not front wall or door.
A hut for eating and relaxing. Inside has a table that is about six inches off the ground, and two hammock hanging inside. The hut is made of wood, with wood-plank flooring, short railing around the edges, and beams made of tree trunks at each of the four corners of the hut to mount the roof onto. The roof is made of straw with a wooden structure to mount the straw onto.
A parked motorbike (scooter) with a rice field in the background. The field has a water way going through it, and it's walls are made of stone. There are several tall palm trees in the field not too far away. It appears that it recently rained, and all the vegetation looks fresh.
An outdoor restaurant in Thailand with several small huts, each with a table inside and seating. This is located along the Mekong river in rural Thailand. A couple of palm trees are on the property.
A small hut with bench seating and a table at an outdoor restaurant in Thailand. This is located along the Mekong river in rural Thailand. A couple of palm trees are on the property.

Villages

Venturing out in the countryside, you may stumble on some exotic villages in remote areas. The most exotic are the indigenous tribes who live there.

Some areas have been slighty commercialized – a way for the tribes to earn money – such as Hmong Doi Pui Village outside of Chiange Mai.

Others are remote and authentic, while some within close distance to tourist towns are replicas.

A Laos woman tending a roadside shop selling coffee and snacks in a small village in Laos. The shop has a concrete floor that is not smooth, and a corrugated metal roof held up by wooden framing. This is more like the patio of someone's house that they decided to use as a shop. A motorbike is parked in front of the shop.
Seating at a rooftop café overlooking a traditional village in a mountainous area of northern Thailand. There is a long bar at the edge of the rooftop with seats that face the village, below. Umbrellas are near the seating for shade. Many customers are enjoying drinks such as coffee and milk teas.
A communal center, which is a hut, in a small village in Laos. The hut has a straw roof, and is constructed in the style of a stilt house method. The stilts are wooden beams (tree trunks) that are driven vertically into the ground. These beams are the support structure for a horizontal platform is constructed.

Mangrove Forests

Walking through a mangrove forest is a beautiful sight. The mangrove trees are quite unique with their roots exposed high above the water line, located in wet swampy areas. Walkways through the forests are often constructed for us to enjoy their beauty.

An elevated, concrete, and narrow, walking path through a swampy mangrove forest in Thailand. The trees are dense, and overlap this narrow path.
Mangrove trees in a swampy land along an elevated, concrete, and narrow, walking path through a swampy mangrove forest in Thailand. The trees are dense, and overlap this narrow path.

Palm Tree Plantations

Palm oil (from palm tree) is a major cash crop in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Southern Thailand. Riding a motorbike throughout the area is a refreshing sight.

A palm tree plantation. The image was taken at a higher elevation looking down at the trees. Two motorbikes are parked in a sandy area below. Rounded mountains are in the background. This was taken at Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant and Viewpoint in Krabi Thailand.
A motorbike (scooter) parked on a back-country road in Thailand. The scenery is tropical with palm trees. There are no people in the image. The motorbike is an Honda Click, which is an automatic (not manually or semi-automatic). This means that the rider never switches gears manually - the motorbike has a CVT automatic transmission.
Hammock camping within a section of trees at a camping spot. Rounded mountains are in the background. This is a camping spot is located at Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant and Viewpoint in Krabi Thailand.

Rubber Tree Farms

The rubber tree produces latex for the worldwide market. Like palm trees, we appreciate the lush greenery these trees add in mass to the local region.

A close-up of a rubber trees with a small pot attached to catch the dripping rubber latex sap that oozes from the trees. This is located within a rubber tree farm in Southeast Asia.
Rubber trees in a rubber tree farm in Southeast Asia. The image shows trees with small pots attached to catch the dripping rubber latex sap that oozes from the trees.

Coffee & Tea Plantations

Growing coffee & tea is less exciting than enjoying the fruits of brew in your mug. However, visiting these growing locations is an activity to enjoy, and you’ll get fresh brew straight from the source.

Coffee plants at a plantation within the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos. These plants are orderly planted in rows.
Coffee beans laid out on a tarp for drying. Location is Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.
Coffee beans laid out on a tarp in front of someone's house for drying. Location is Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.
A close-up of coffee beans that are drying. Location is Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.

Temples

There is a bajilion (is that number?) in Southeast Asia. Most are in Thailand and Cambodia, while Vietnam and Laos have a few scattered about.

Temples range from newly built to ancient; and from Buddhist, Hindu, and Cham. You’ll find them in the cities and in the remote country side.

A temple in Thailand with a golden colored stupa and buddha statues.
A temple complex in Chiang Mai, Thailand that has a large stupa, which has a light shining on it during the night when it's dark.
Lao people at a temple complex splashing a jade buddha statue with water. This is during the Songkran holiday, in which splashing each other (and the buddha statue in this case) with water is a spiritual act that signifies cleansing during this holiday. While the fun water fight aspect of the holiday has become commercialized as a fun thing to do, the people at the temple are taking splashing the buddha seriously.
A night market being setup on a street outside a temple in Luang Prabang, Laos. This image is taken next to the market, looking down on it from the top of some steps. It shows the street with pop-up canopies being setup, and the temple on the other side of the road.

Each temple takes upon it’s own, unique, personality. There’s such a variety of modern and classic (the standard gold temple) temples, and the variety makes temple-hopping an exciting activity – you just don’t know what you’ll see next!

You don’t need to be Buddhist to enjoy the exotic architecture, calm atmosphere, and history.

A city view at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The temple is on a hill within the city. This image is taken at the back end of the temple, so part of the temple is in the foreground, while the city view is in the background.
A tall buddha statue at a temple in rural Thailand.
A wooden temple with two jade naga (a mythical snake-like creature with seven heads combined as one) statues at the entrance of the temple. Each naga statue stands at about six feet tall (1.8 meters). The naga has a long body.

Each temple takes upon it’s own, unique, personality. There’s such a variety of modern and classic (the standard gold temple) temples, and the variety makes temple-hopping an exciting activity – you just don’t know what you’ll see next!

Exotic Architecture

Foreign countries have exotic architecture – some historic and some modern – that you will find fascinating. They are sights to savor. Relax, slow down, and take a look around.

An image of a Bali-style architecture with a doorway in the center. This is specific to Bali, Indonesia.
An image of a Bali-style architecture. The image show statue decorations that are ingrained with a wall of a property. This is specific to Bali, Indonesia.
A wooden pedestrian bridge with a roof covering, all made of wood in the Cambodian style. This bridge crosses the Siem Reap river (not very wide) in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Two naga, a mythical creature that resembles a snake, statues are on each side of a set of stairs that lead down to the Mekong river in Thailand. The statues are intricately decorated and mostly golden colored.
A traditional wooden house in Cambodia. The home is a stilt house, meaning it is elevated off of the ground. The house is framed using wood. The roof, walls, and windows are made of straw. Because it is a stilt house, there are stairs leading up to the home (second floor) with a deck where the front door is located. Below is empty, but often used for storage.
An image of a Bali-style architecture. It is an entrance way. This is specific to Bali, Indonesia.
Dragon Bridge in Vietnam, which is a normal bridge, but with a dragon sculpture spanning the entire length of the bridge. This dragon bridge is famous for a fire show, in which it shoots out real fire out of the head of the dragon (a flame thrower is imbedded within)! This is not shown in the image. Also, this dragon has lights, so at night it lights-up and the colors of the lights change frequently (this is shown in the image). This sculpture has a dragon head & neck (seen closest to the photographer), and a body. The body is simply two arches. The head and body piece are spread apart a distance to form the appearance of an entire dragon on the bridge.
A traditional northern wooden stilt house in Thailand. The home has vertical wooden beam mounted in the ground, and an elevated platform (the floor of the home) attached to it. There are stairs leading up to the home from the ground below. This is part of a museum in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
A stage during Christmas time in Vietnam. The stage is it's own building, with intricate chinese-style architectural highlights. It is built within a pond, and has a bridge connecting it to the shore.
An entry way on a rural country road in Vietnam in the Chinese style fashion. It is made up of three arches, each of which a motorbike can ride through. The middle arch is the main entry way, which can fit a small car. It seems to be for asthetics, or possibly for feng shui (meaning "wind water") spiritual purposes.

Festivals & Holidays

Feeling in a festive mood?  Be part of the culture and local celebrations.  SE Asian locals celebrate with food, not champagne, and their festivities consists of that.

Being able to experience a festival/holiday is hit-or-miss.  It depends on when and where you go.  Obviously, because these are contingent on certain dates of the year, and each country has their own holidays.

Chinese Lunar New Year

Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam (known as Tet there)

Also known as Tet in Vietnam. The Chinese New Year is celebrated in places with Chinese heritage such as Malaysia, parts in Thailand (Chinatown in Bangkok), and throughout the entirety of Vietnam.

Pretty decorations, acrobats in the lion dog costume, and red envelopes with cash inside handed to the children.

Keep eyes open and ears listening for a display of fireworks! This holiday is gaining popularity around the globe, just like Christmas. This holiday is based on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam is the country that takes Chinese Lunar New Year the most seriously, while it is only a small holiday in the other countries.

A street in Vietnam with Tet decorations. Tet is a Chinese and Vietnamese lunar New Year holiday. A rope spans across a narrow street (one car-width wide) that has several small Vietnamese flags hanging from it. There are three of these ropes. One rope has eight flags, the others have ten and about twenty. On the ground is a backdrop poster attached to a wall that reads "Happy New Year" in Vietnamese. Along this poster are decorations including a mix of yellow and red flowers, and some red Chinese lanterns. This backdrop poster appears to be setup for people to take pictures of themselves at, a common theme in Vietnam.
A WinMart convenience store with Tet decorations outside the store front. The decordations are a red-carpeted platform with a mix of yellow and red flowers, red Chinese lanterns, and a sign display saying "Happy New Year" in Vietnamese. It is setup for people to take pictures of themselves at. Tet is a Chinese and Vietnames lunar New Year holiday. WinMart is formerly known as VinMart, where "Vin" was short for Viet or Vietnam.

Warning

Vietnam slows down with most people traveling home to be with family.  It’s anecdotal, but expect theft to increase up to Tet in Vietnam, and for most businesses to be closed during.

Songkran or “New Year”

Thailand, Laos, Cambodia

Songkran is best known for it’s multi-day water fight activities! However, there is more to it than that, with Buddhist traditions and rituals.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to find Songkran activities – the water fight will find YOU!

Two Western tourists with water guns participating in the Songkran festival. A continual water fight and splashing of water is part of this festival.
Thirteen females of all ages with water guns in the back of a pickup truck bed. This is during the Songkran holiday festival in Cambodia. This festival is essentially one massive water fight, and everyone gets soaking wet.
Three boys with water guns - shooting them into the streets - during the Songkran holiday festival in Cambodia. This festival is essentially one massive water fight, and everyone gets soaking wet.
Three kids splashing a motorist (husband, wife, and child) on a scooter with water during the Songkran holiday festival in Cambodia. Everyone is smiling. The motorist is riding by on the street, and the kids use pales of water to spash them. They have a large bucket of water to refill their pales with. This festival is essentially one massive water fight, and everyone gets soaking wet.
Songkran. A local road at night in Cambodia where everyone in the street (trucks, motorbikes, and pedestrians) are participating in the splashing of water for Songkran holiday festival. This festival is essentially one massive water fight, and everyone gets soaking wet.
A local concert during the Songkran holiday festival in Cambodia. Two local boys are refilling their waterguns at a water basin in the foreground - one is shooting his as someone off the image. Because a continual water fight and splashing of water is part of this festival, there is water being sprayed everywhere in the crowd.

Laos calls it “Pi Mai”. The reason it is called “New Year” is that it aligns with the new year of the Theravada Buddhist calendar.

Lao people at a temple complex splashing a jade buddha statue with water. This is during the Songkran holiday, in which splashing each other (and the buddha statue in this case) with water is a spiritual act that signifies cleansing during this holiday. While the fun water fight aspect of the holiday has become commercialized as a fun thing to do, the people at the temple are taking splashing the buddha seriously.
A local concert in a grassy area with trees with local Cambodians dancing. This is during the Songkran holiday festival in Cambodia. There is no water splashing here - everyone is dry - although this is holiday is mostly a continual water fight and splashing of water.

Do worry about getting wet – protect electronics with a waterproof bag!

A waterpoof phone pouch to protect valuables while adventuring with a lanyard to wear it around your neck. While it is made for phones, you can put anything inside that will fit such as cash, keys, and more. The intention is to use this when swimming, kayaking, standing under waterfalls, or any other wet adventure where you need to protect valuables from getting wet. This pouch is made of waterproof material, and has a clamp design to seal it, water-tight. This also prevent typical dirt and debri getting inside the pouch.
Several options for waterproof phone pouches at a Mr. DIY store in Thailand. The pouches on display show that they come with a lanyard attached. A waterpoof pouch is used to protect a phone & any other valuables you put inside of it. The pouches are made of waterproof material. The opening of the pouches have a plastic clamping mechanism to seal it shut, and keep it air/water-tight. This also prevent typical dirt and debri getting inside the pouch. The pouches are flat, and are big enough in size to fit a larg-sized smart phone.

And, get your gear! 💦

A canopy along the road selling Songkran festival gear such as water guns and water resistant pouches. This festival is essentially one massive water fight, and everyone gets soaking wet. This is located in Cambodia.
A water gun for sale at a Mr. DIY store in Thailand.
Eye protective glasses of various color being sold in preparation of the Songkran festival. This festival is essentially one massive water fight, and everyone gets soaking wet.

Fun Fact

Some SE Asian countries officially go by the Theravada Buddhist calendar.  The year 2026 is the Theravada Buddhist calendar year 2569… 543 years ahead!

“Cambodian Boat Paddling Festival” (Bon Om Touk or “Water Festival”)

Cambodia

Don’t confuse this “water festival” (Bon Om Touk) with Songkran – they are very different.

This festival is all about long boat racing, and it marks the end of the monsoon rainy season. There are some festivities that go along with it, but it’s mainly about watching the boats race.

Three special wooden boats with large wooden chicken heads carvings / statues at the head of the boats. The middle boat has a naga-style head integrated within it. Naga is a mythical snake-like creature. These are along the the shore of the Siem Reap river during the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
An image of the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is taken at an elevated point on the shore of the Mekong river, with a packed crowd, watching the long boats racing in the river below. The boats are paddled by roughly fifty men. In the foreground is a Buddhist monk in Kasaya (a monk's robe colored in saffron dye). The Mekong river is very wide at this point.
People sitting in boats along a shore watching a boat race. There is a massive tree that arches over into the river, which they are parked under. There are five boats that are spaced apart. This is along the the shore of the Siem Reap river during the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. There are no boats racing in this image.
An image of the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is taken on the shore of the Mekong river next to a couple of parked boats. There is a race between two boats in the river in the background. In the far background are some high rise buildings. The Mekong river is very wide at this point.
An image of the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is taken on the shore of the Mekong river next to a couple of parked boats. There is a race between two boats in the river in the background. In the far background are some high rise buildings. The Mekong river is very wide at this point.
An image of the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This is taken on the shore of the Siem Reap river, with people sitting in the grass watching the boats racing in the river. The boats are paddled by four to six men, and two boats are racing.
An image of a crowd along the the shore of the Siem Reap river during the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. People are sitting in the grass on mats socializing and watching the boats racing. In this image, the river can barely be seen, and neither can the boats racing.
An image of a crowd, taken further back along the the shore of the Siem Reap river during the Boat Racing festival (Bon Om Touk) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. There are lots of trees. People are sitting at picnic tables near the sidewalk, others are standing around, and others are sitting in the grass next to the river. Most people are watching the boats racing, but others are eating food and socializing. In this image, the river can be seen in the near background, but there are no boats racing in this image.

Loi Krathong & Yi-Peng

Thailand, Laos

Two holidays that are celebrated at the exact same time, Loi Krathong and Yi-Peng.

Loi Krathong is about water lanterns and krathongs. It is considered romantic for couples to set off intricate water lanterns (krathongs), together.

A male and female each holding a krathong and placing them into the river during Loi Krathong holiday in northern Thailand. This is at night, and the krathongs have a lit candle in them, which glows while they float in the water. Several krathongs can be seen in the background in the water.
A young child with a krathong sitting next to them at the end of stairs that lead into the river water. They are about to place the krathong into the river as part of celebrating the Loi Krathong holiday in northern Thailand. This is at night, and the krathong has a lit candle within it, which glows while it floats in the water. A few krathongs can be seen that are already placed in the water.
Krathongs for sale during the Loi Krathong holiday in northern Thailand.
Krathongs for sale during the Loi Krathong holiday in northern Thailand.
A few Thai people making a large krathong during the Loi Krathong holiday in northern Thailand. It is mostly finished, but they are adding some finishing touches to it. It basically looks like a stupa made of flowers and banana leaves folded in intricate patterns.
Krathongs for sale during the Loi Krathong holiday in northern Thailand. Price is one hundred and twenty Thai Baht (about four US dollars). Others are priced at eighty Thai Baht (roughly two and a half US dollars)

Yi-Peng (full moon day) is about sky lanterns. Lanterns in the water and in the sky – they’ve got it all covered.

Women in a traditional Thai clothing are walking in a parade that celebrates the Lantern festival (Yi Peng holiday) in northern Thailand. Several unique and difficult-to-describe lanterns surround the area.

In Chiang Mai, there is a really good parade. DO NOT MISS THAT!

A male in a traditional Thai costume, walking in a parade that celebrates the Lantern festival (Yi Peng holiday) in northern Thailand. A prop that is similar to a turkey tail is mounted to his waist. It is controlled with his arms like wings of a bird, and spans over his head and double his arm length. It is decorated. This turkey tail is described as being large and hemisphere-shaped that resembles a hand-held chinese fan.
Men in a traditional Thai clothing, walking in a parade with a large lantern that celebrates the Lantern festival (Yi Peng holiday) in northern Thailand. This lantern is large, is on a small float with wheels, and four men are required to push it down the street. There are other men holding banisters with what appears to be a Buddha image on it and some decorative pattern.

Tip

Chiang Mai, Thailand is considered the best place to experience & celebrate Loi Kratong and Yi-Peng.

Put it at the top of your bucket list!

Angkor Thanksgiving

Cambodia

This is a festival with traditional Cambodian arts and performances. It’s free, too!

A must-not-be-missed performance is performed behind Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia with the temple as a backdrop. It’s stunning.

This event, in part, is to celebrate “Angkor’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List (December 14, 1992),” per HelloAngkor.com

The event is named it “Thanksgiving”, though it is not the same Thanksgiving in the USA.

A close-up of the stage for the Angkor Thanksgiving show. On the stage, there are ancient warriors battling. This show is a yearly celebration for the inclusion of Angkor Wat as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is night time, and there are lights illuminating the show stage in front of the East side of Angkor Wat. Between the photographer and stage is a crowd, many of whom have their smart phones held up to record the show and take pictures.
A close-up of the stage for the Angkor Thanksgiving show. On the stage, the actors are a display of the king of the Angkor empire era, with his royal parade. This show is a yearly celebration for the inclusion of Angkor Wat as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is night time, and there are lights illuminating the show stage in front of the East side of Angkor Wat. Between the photographer and stage is a crowd, many of whom have their smart phones held up to record the show and take pictures.
Night time with lights at Angkor Wat for the Angkor Thanksgiving show, which is a yearly celebration for the inclusion of Angkor Wat as a UNESCO world heritage site. There is a stage at the East side of Angkor Wat with several spot lights as well as colored lighting. There are three Buddhist monks in saffron robes in the foreground near the photographer. These robes are called Kasaya, which is a monk's robe colored in saffron dye.

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