History

• Thailand's kite flying festival predates a historical reference, although it is thought to derive from the Chinese tradition. The festival's popularity was so great that, during the Ayutthaya period -- a kingdom in the south between 1350 and 1767 -- the festival was banned on the grounds of royal properties. The rulers banned the festival around the towers of the royal apartments because they believed the kites would damage the buildings.
  
  

Thai Kite Festivals Today

• Modern Thai kite flying festivals are held yearly following the lunar calendar, and they attract more and more visitors every year. The festival is becoming an event that attracts kite-lovers from around the world. Many countries create kites that are representative of their national origin to be flown during this festival, such as Japan, Australia, India, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore and England. More than 100 countries were represented by kites at the 2010 International Kite Flying festival.
  
  

Kite Flying Location in Thailand

• The kite flying festival's main location is in the capital city of Bangkok. The festival is held at the grounds opposite the Thai Grand Palace, called Sanam Luang. The festival is a large source of tourism revenue for the country, as it attracts over a half million people to Thailand for the event. Smaller kite flights are held around the country, in the provinces of Burirum and Chantabun.
  
  

Events

• The festival is set to coincide with the clear skies and sunny weather of spring. The festival lasts for one weekend, and includes colorful processions of kites from around the world, kite flying competitions, and kite making workshops. New kite flying technologies are shared and discussed, and children are instructed in making kites they are then able to fly. Competitions such as kite stunts and highest flying kites, and traditional Thai kite processions highlight the events that attract people to this annual festival.