10 Things to Do in Bangkok in October

The City of Angels is an exciting and diverse Asian capital that attracts millions of tourists each year with its cultural variety, vibrant street life and traditional festivals. Join me for things to see and do in Bangkok in October, when Buddhist Lent ends and the weather is kinder.

Whether it's the October Boat Festival, extreme hiking or the Vegetarian Festival, get close to Thailand's natural landscapes for the best things to do in Bangkok, a destination with experiences for all visitors.

If you are travelling to Bangkok in October, you can't miss the opportunity to participate in the Vegetarian Festival! This event is held annually throughout Thailand and in particular at the Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine, Sam Kong or Am Sam Kong where it is highly valued.

During this festival, Thais observe the 8 precepts of Mahayana Buddhism, the equivalent of the commandments of the Catholic tradition.

If you have the opportunity to travel to Phuket at this time of year, head to Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine, Sam Kong. This is a sacred place where the image of Tai Buddha and other gods are worshipped. It is also a very special place for the people of Phuket.

During the Vegetarian Festival, the shrine will be full of people coming to make merit, ask for blessings, and pay homage to each other. It is a unique opportunity to experience Thai culture and tradition in an authentic and meaningful way.Where is the event? At 306 Yaowarat Road, Talat Yai sub-district, Mueang Phuket district.

During the first two weeks of this month, two very significant events take place in Samut Prakan, a province near Bangkok. The first is the tradition of receiving the blessing of the gods at the Bang Phli Yai Lotus Temple, an ancient custom of the Thai-Mon people. The second event is Yon Bua Day, which is celebrated on the 14th day of the crescent moon, the 11th month of each year, and is a royal convocation.

During the Bang Phli Yai Lotus Temple celebration, the replica of Reverend Father To is transported to the famous Wat Bang Phli Yai temple near the Erawan Museum, one of the city's most popular museums.

The image is transported on a boat covered with vibrant flowers to travel along the Bang Phli canal. Along the way, tourists and devotees pay homage to Reverend Father To. It is believed that if you throw a lotus flower into the boat consecrated with Luang Pho To, your wish will come true.

In addition to this tradition, Yon Bua Day offers many other activities, such as the Devorohana royal cup rowing boat competition, creative papaya competitions, dances, the youth queen contest, singing competitions; and thanks to its combination of culture, religion, modernity and tradition the Erawan passage is perfect for concentrating the heart of the capital in one place.

If you want to experience Thai culture in a unique way, you definitely have to add Yon Bua Day to your travel itinerary in October.Where is the event? In Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province.

The Buddha image is enshrined at Wat Sakae Krang on Mount Sakae Krang around the Sakae Krang River. And during the end of Buddhist Lent each year, the Tak Bat Devo Festival, a holy day in Uthai Thani province, is organised here.

According to Buddhist tradition, this day is called "Tak Bat Devo" because Lord Buddha descended from Tavatimsa heaven to preach for his mother, who was suffering in the hell realm. When the villagers saw the Buddha return the following year, they rejoiced and offered him food, and every year thereafter it is believed that his spirit vibrates in that space.

To celebrate, on the first full moon day of October, more than 500 monks descend 449 steps from Sakae Krang Mountain to the lower courtyard of Wat Sangkat Rattanakiri, following the Buddha's path. If you want to see the ceremony and the multi-coloured spectacle, Soi Wat Sangkat, sub-district of Uthai Mai Mueang Uthai Thani District, is worth a visit.

The Khom San Duang Festival, translated as the Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival or Lamphun Lantern Festival is a colourful and entertaining celebration, ideal to note among things to do in Bangkok with children because entire families get involved in the activity.

This tradition has been going on for a long time, and is well known to Thai and foreign tourists. The festival is distinguished by decorating houses by lighting a multi-coloured lantern or decorating a lamp which will then rise up to the sky lit up. According to Buddhist tradition, this is to worship the Lord Buddha, who from the heavens blesses the illuminated homes to bring prosperity and family togetherness for the next 12 months.

The festival is held at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan in Lamphun district throughout the month of October. Queen Chamthewi Mueang, the first royal to join the cult, is also honoured on this date.

The full moon in October marks the end of Buddhist Lent, better known by its original name 'Khao Phansa', a celebration that is deeply rooted in this capital city, and events such as lotus flower showers are the order of the day. This is a celebration you won't want to miss.

It is a great opportunity for Buddhist communities from all regions to come together to honour the traditional practices of the religion such as offering alms to Devorohana, giving new robes to monks, participating in the Daowadung Mahachat Sermon or the Vessantara Jataka Sermon with the city in full dress.

With your ticket to Bangkok Grand Palace you can enjoy the decorations, activities, dances and shows as the city will be dressed up and you can be part of the celebration.

The Nong Khai Fireballs can be seen along the Mekong River in Phon Phisai District, Rattan Awapi District, you can also find viewing points in Nong Khai Province and of course in Mueang Bueng Kan District, Bueng Kan Province. Each time the festival surprises visitors with its unique style.

A fireball is a supernatural phenomenon believed to be caused by a dragon or mythological snake, and in this case it is known as Naga. Legend has it that they began to appear from sunset until around midnight, at the end of Buddhist Lent.

From myth, it has grown into a huge event that sees rockets with snake or dragon designs flying to accompany the grand parade of fireboats, small boats that are decorated by locals to compete for the royal cup along the Mekong River. Thousands of tourists gather and wait to watch the parade pass by while the locals hope to take the cup back to their village.

Head to the various Skyballs Naga viewing points and don't miss this popular festival, one of the best things to do in Bangkok at night in October.

The Phu Kradueng National Park hiking trail takes you around this 60 square kilometre plateau that rises 1316 metres above sea level and while that number isn't impressive, wait until you know that it starts to rise from an altitude of 285 metres, so the cumulative elevation gain is around 1000 metres. Now isn't that a challenging circuit?

This national park, located in Loei Province, offers one of the most popular outdoor experiences for Thais, with an annual increase in the number of tourists joining the adventure, especially in October when the rains have subsided and visibility and terrain conditions improve.

The average time to climb Phu Kradueng is between 4 and 6 hours to the tourist service centre. Along the way there are campsites with all the basic amenities available. In addition, there are must-see attractions such as the Lom Sak and Mak Dook cliffs, or the wonderful Wang Kwang waterfall and many other natural attractions. Who wants to invite a group of friends on a trip?

Show the strength of body and mind, then remember to book 2 days in Bangkok in your city itinerary to enjoy this activity.

The Fai Lai Festival in Nakhon Phanom province is a tradition celebrated during the end of Buddhist Lent (early October), which is considered an important tradition of the people of Nakhon Phanom and nearby provinces.

Annually, during this festival, there is a parade of boats ready to make their way down the Mekong River, while the town takes on an incredible beauty, illuminated by wax candles melting on pagodas and crepe paper lanterns hanging from the roofs of temples and windows of local houses.

The atmosphere is very beautiful. In the event, there are many other interesting activities to visit, such as the Phra That Phanom worship ceremony, the Palaang Fair along the Mekong River with its cultural shows and folk music, food festivals with local food (one of the best food tours in Bangkok), the long boat race for the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup, etc.

If the Kan Fireballs amaze with their illumination, the walk to Nakhon Phanom is one of the day trips from Bangkok that surprises in October with its variety and cultural richness.

Looking for an advanced trekking route around Bangkok? The answer is Khao San Nok Wua. This is the highest mountain in Kanchanaburi, at 1767 metres above sea level. The western part of the national park is adjacent to the forested area of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, where caves, forest and lush flora entice visitors. A visit to this destination is one of the best day trips from Bangkok.

The mountain is located in the north of Khao Laem National Park, in the Sangkhlaburi district, a 4-hour drive from central Bangkok.

The most challenging destination in the region opens its trails every year in October. Tourists can travel to this park to see the beautiful 360° views of sunrise and sunset, as well as to enjoy nature in all its splendour.

Fancy joining a big and exciting celebration? If so, attend the Ok Phansa Festival. This is an important Buddhist celebration that commemorates the end of the Buddhist monks' retreat during the rainy season. The date varies from year to year, as it is related to the lunar calendar, but it always takes place in October.

Ok Phansa celebrations include the illuminated boat procession in Nakhon Phanom, the wax castle festival in Sakon Nakhon, the Ti Khli (croquet ball) competition in Chaiyaphum, the Tak Bat Devo ceremony in Uthai Thani and the Tai Yai Chong Phara procession in Mae Hong Son.

Preparation for this event starts well in advance for everyone's enjoyment with fine-tuned details, so your only concern is to think about what you want to do first.

During your visit to Bangkok in October you can expect great weather. It's hot, so pack a swimming costume and, although rainfall is light, it's raining, so bring an umbrella.

The average daily temperature is around 28.5°C, with highs near 32°C and lows around 25°C. The sun sets at around 06:00 am and the sun sets around 06:00 pm. The sun sets around 06:00 and the skies are usually clear.

The Thai capital is one of the most exciting places on the planet to visit at this time of year, especially as the low tourist influx allows you to enjoy the best deals, so book your flight to the city of angels.