Colors of Krabi - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Locals feature a friendly and welcoming attitude to people of another culture; foreigners are treated with interest and respect. Residents of Krabi are very laid back and relaxed people; violent emotions and loud tone of voice are considered signs of mauvais tone. Be sure to communicate with locals in calm voice; they don’t tolerate any haste during a conversation, so don’t force and proceed to discussing serious issues from the very first minutes of communication.

The local culture prohibits any contact during conversations, even the customary handshake is not accepted. In order to greet the person, just put your hands on the chest and lean forward a bit; this form of greeting is appropriate for both men and women. If you had accidentally touched passer in public place or institution, be sure to stop and apologize. Going to visit a new friend, it is worth considering a few simple rules. When entering a private home, be sure to take off your shoes; you can just leave it at the door. During the conversation, in any case, don’t cross your hands or feet, such a posture will be regarded as disrespect and unwillingness to communicate. It is usual to pay visits with gifts; modest souvenirs for hosts would be a great solution.

The cultural life of Krabi is full of interesting holidays and festivals. One of the most interesting national celebrations is Loy Krathong festival, the All Souls' Day. They celebrate it according to the lunar calendar, so every year the date of the holiday changes. Despite the fact that the event is quite serious, it is accompanied by a number of interesting rituals, which attract lots of observing tourists. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

On the eve of the festival all the locals make small boats of banana leaves. Later, they set burning candles upon and lower boats on water. In the evening, all the beaches of Krabi are illuminated with thousands of lights. In November, the island hosts the Festival of the Andaman Sea. The beginning of this colorful festival coincides with the start of the tourist season. Exciting competitions in beach sports, concerts and entertainment for children, an incredible culinary contests and an abundance of colorful fairs are main attributes of that popular holiday. Krabi is the perfect place for those who want to learn more about Thai culture and enjoy beautiful holiday rituals.

This is also a great destination for those looking forward to the New Year. The matter is that in Krabi, the holiday is celebrated not once but as many as three times a year. Firstly, the European New Year is traditionally celebrated on December 31. Secondly, the Chinese New Year is widely popular (due to the large influx of tourists from China), it falls either in January or February. And thirdly, the Thai New Year takes up the baton in April. The European New Year is accompanied by fireworks and street parties with the participation of European tourists. Before the Chinese New Year, locals clean their houses, then morning processions start, followed by festive fireworks in the evening.

But the most colorful holiday is the Thai New Year known as Songkran. Celebrations traditionally begin on April 13, ending on April 15. Bright parades are held in the morning, temples are important spots at this time, all the actions take place around them. Local people carry statues of Buddha on the cars. At this time, one needs to be careful to avoid wetting documents or phones: The thing is that, according to tradition, locals pour water from buckets and shoot everyone they meet on their way from water guns - and among them are not only passersby but also Buddha statues. So if you want wonderful memories, it is still better to leave papers and electronic devices in the hotel and go for the most pleasant impressions - be sure there will be a lot of them.

On December 5, Krabi traditionally celebrates the birthday of the most revered person in Thailand - namely, Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king from the Chakri dynasty. The festival is called “Father's Day”, during its celebration portraits of His Majesty are hung on all the streets of Krabi, the streets are also decorated with yellow flags (traditionally the yellow color is the King’s color), locals also try to wear yellow. In Krabi, the holiday is as bright as in the Thai capital, with fireworks, parades and public festivities. On this day, it is also customary to congratulate fathers. Another holiday associated with the royal family is celebrated on August 12, when Queen Sirikit was born. This celebration is traditionally called "Mother's Day" when mothers are congratulated accordingly.

Krabi also celebrates a few holidays related to Buddha. First and foremost, this is Visakha Bucha, the birthday of the spiritual teacher, the celebration falls on May or June (the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar). Bright parades are held in the city, nobody can become sad - even if one wants. Another festival is traditionally celebrated in February and is called Magha Puja, and is dedicated to how the founder of Buddhism taught his followers. Believers celebrate in temples that become crowded at this time. In August, Sat Duan Sip, the Ancestors' Day, is celebrated - the only day of the year when departed relatives can get into our world. Locals collect gifts for them and carry them to shrines.