Thailand LOVES a celebration, and even after a few years here, I still find myself surprised by how frequently they roll around. It’s one of the many things I love about living here – there is always an event, tradition, or festival to get involved in. The great thing about working as a teacher in a BFITS school is that you often get to partake in celebrations and festivals that are less common and that tourists perhaps don’t know about. Being part of a Thai school gives you real insight into the ways the locals celebrate.
Students and Thai teachers love seeing the foreign teachers get involved, too – embracing the celebratory spirit has really helped me form positive relationships with other teachers in the school. The celebrations I’ve been able to take part in during my time in Thailand have undoubtedly given me some of my most memorable experiences and have made for great stories! There are so many special days in Thailand that are celebrated: Mother and Father’s Day, Children’s Day, Makha Bucha, and Loy Krathong, as well as some of the more well-known festivals such as Songkran Water Festival and Chinese New Year.
Songkran Water Festival
The big one! Songkran is the Thai New Year and takes place every April. Essentially, the whole country gets involved in a three-day-long water fight, and it’s as fun as it sounds! It’s also a very welcome relief from the Thai summer heat, which can be pretty intense over April and May. The festival symbolises the washing away of misfortune or bad luck, ready to start afresh for the new year. Whilst Songkran is a lot of fun, it’s also culturally important for Thai people, and for many, it’s a valued time to visit and spend time with family.
It’s easy to tell when Songkran is approaching because street vendors and shops start selling water guns and bright floral shirts, and there’s a palpable air of excitement around. Saint Joseph Convent (SJC) School, my BFITS school, is located in one of Bangkok’s most popular waterfight areas so we’re lucky that it’s a public holiday because otherwise, students and teachers would be drenched by water before making it through the school gates!
My first Songkran was spent in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), and I quickly learned that no corner of the city was safe if you were trying to avoid being drenched head to toe. Even if you dry off, you won’t stay that way long! One of the top tips I learned is to get a waterproof phone case or leave your phone at home; it’ll save you from drying it out in rice for the next two days!
Loy Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong is one of the biggest and most beautiful festivals in Thailand – and also my personal favourite. The term Loy Krathong comes from the Thai words, “Loy” meaning “to float”, and “Krathong” which refers to a small basket usually made from banana leaf, with flowers, candles and incense placed inside. People across the country congregate around lakes and rivers to float their Krathongs – a symbolic ritual of letting go of bad luck and inviting new beginnings. It takes place annually, usually in November, and for the last two years, I’ve been able to celebrate it both at school with my students and also after work with my friends.
At school in the previous year, the foreign BFITS teachers got dressed up in our traditional Thai clothes, and spent the day taking part in formal ceremonies. The teachers in my office arrived at school extra early to help each other with our hair and makeup (our wonderful BFITS Coordinator, Aoe, was roped into braiding everybody’s hair). It’s a known fact that students are incredibly excitable (and a little hyper) on Loy Krathong, and seeing them dressed up is always a highlight of the teaching year. We definitely matched the excitement levels of our students!
A few weeks before, Loy Krathong, our amazing BFITS office Coordinator, asked if we wanted to take part in a dance performance run by some of the Thai teachers. The teachers in my office were immediately on board, and we spent our morning breaks learning a traditional Thai dance with many of the other teachers. On Loy Krathong, we were called to the front of the school, and we performed our rehearsed routine in front of the students and teachers. We were so nervous, and I definitely can’t claim to have been as graceful as the Thai teachers, but it was absolutely worth it to see how excited the students were to have their English teachers take part in the performance. It was such a great experience that we still reminisced about it.
Even though putting yourself out there can be a little daunting; I truly believe that doing so means that you get the most out of your time in Thailand. Embrace the cultural differences and say yes to doing things that aren’t entirely within your comfort zone. In short, even if you can’t dance, dance anyway!
After school, I usually take the opportunity to celebrate with friends, too. This year, I headed five minutes down the road to the beautiful Lumpini Park in the center of Bangkok with some other teachers to float our own Krathongs. Lumphini’s huge lake was lit up with floating Krathongs, and despite its busyness, there was such a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Still, in our traditional Thai dress, we joined the hundreds of people bent at the water’s edge to float our worries away.
Wai Khru Ceremony
Wai Khru Ceremony is a celebration that you’re likely to come across if you work with BFITS in Thailand, as it’s essentially a day dedicated to teachers! Wai Khru is a celebration in which students express gratitude and respect for their teachers. Usually, teachers are given the day off work (last year, my friends and I spent the day at the beach!) On our return to school, we celebrated with a school-wide ceremony, and all teachers were given flowers, as well as many adorable notes and hugs from students expressing their love and gratitude.
The celebrations don’t stop when the end-of-school bell rings! At my school, all the teachers are invited to an annual ‘Teachers Dinner’ after work, where there are speeches, videos made by students, and lots of fun performances put on by the Thai teachers. Events like this help establish connections and relationships within the school and create a sense of community that is so important when living away from home.
I really believe that Wai Khru is a reflection of Thailand’s attitude towards teachers more widely- teaching is a highly respected profession and students have no hesitation about demonstrating their appreciation. For me, the day always feels quite affirming – a reminder that I am making a difference in the lives of my students.
Celebrating Thai Festivals While Teaching in Thailand
Thailand’s festivals are incredibly special – each one with its own tradition and cultural significance, and being able to take part in some of them is a privilege. Whether you’re teaching in Thailand for six months or six years, take any opportunity to participate in local traditions.
Getting involved will not only provide you with a better understanding of Thai culture and Thailand’s people, but I can guarantee that doing so will also reward you with some of your most cherished memories.
