Thoed Thai - Mae Fah Luang New Year Festivals

[DavidFL]

Thoed Thai - Mae Fah Luang New Year Festivals
The Thoed Thai - Mae Fal Luang area is arguably the most remote corner of North Thailand.
It is rich in cultural diversity with multiple ethnic groups and a past history of opium fields and complicated underground drug dealing from across the border in Myanmar.
The ethnic groups living in the Thoed Thai - Mae Fa Luang area are Shan, Akha, Lahu, Lisu, Hmong, Karen and Mien, and combined with their religious diversity of animism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucius, and Islam, provide wonderful opportunities for some great festivals and events in the area.

28th Tai Yai New Year Culture Conservation Project for the Year 2024
29 November - 3 December 2024
At the Thoed Thai Central Stadium, Village No. 1, Thoed Thai Village

2024 Shan New Year @ Thoed Thai

The 2024 Shan New Year in Thoed Thai should be 12-13 December. New Moon! Please stand by for official confirmation. The 2024 Shan New Year in Thoed Thai should be 12-13 December. New Moon! Please stand by for official confirmation. From...

www.gt-rider.com

I will double check this one, because my earlier info was that there would be no big Shan New Year celebrations this year.

Akha New Year Culture Conservation Project

27-29 December 2024
Pha Chi Village Square, Village No. 15, Pha Chi Village

Payaprai Highland Run 2024 Tourism and Recreation Promotion Project
30-31 December 2024
Phaya Prai Traimit School Sports Stadium, Village No. 5, Phaya Prai Lao Ma Village

Hmong New Year 2025

30 December 2024 - 5 January 2025
Mong Kao Lang Village Central Stadium, Village No. 9, Mong Kao Lang Village

Lahu New Year 2025
30 January - 1 February 2025 at the village square
Ban Pang Mahan Health Promotion Hospital), Village No. 8, Ban Pang Mahan

Phayaprai & Lahu New Year 2024

Phayaprai is one of those remote villages "at the end of the road"right out there on the Thai / Myanmar border. https://maps.app.goo.gl/FdfKBbz3kTcqv6zx9 It's actually "3 villages in one", Lahu, Akha & Shan, called Phayaprai collectively. 3 kms from the original Choui Fong tea plantation, that...

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[DavidFL]

Confirmed Shan New Year 29 November - 3 December
Rim Taan gh is full already on the 29th and 30th.

The Phu Saeng Tawan resort would be the next best place to try for a room.

Thoed Thai Accommodation

 

[DavidFL]

Just a note to add for these events.
My lunar calendar says the New Moon is on the 30th of December.
That means that most Hmong villages in the North should be celebrating the new year from December 30th.
I just checked at Kiew Kan, the Hmong village on Paradise Road R1290, and they say yes, their Hmong New Year starts on 30 December.

 

[ADV]

Lahu New Year 2025
30 January - 1 February 2025 at the village square
Ban Pang Mahan Health Promotion Hospital), Village No. 8, Ban Pang Mahan

Phayaprai & Lahu New Year 2024

Phayaprai is one of those remote villages "at the end of the road"right out there on the Thai / Myanmar border. https://maps.app.goo.gl/FdfKBbz3kTcqv6zx9 It's actually "3 villages in one", Lahu, Akha & Shan, called Phayaprai collectively. 3 kms from the original Choui Fong tea plantation, that...

www.gt-rider.com

An update for the Lahu New Year Festival near Thoet Thai.

The festival date was incorrect on official posters and social media.

The correct date is 3-5 February.
The main date to celebrate is 4 February and opening ceremony starts at 9am on this day.

I traveled there yesterday (31 Jan) and received a very warm welcome from the festival team and locals preparing the festival ground ( behind the health centre). This festival has the makings of a very special local event. Dancers were pacing out the stage, big smiles all around. Super!