All about the Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand (and where to find the best mooncakes)
The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated in Thailand due to its large Chinese population, which makes up roughly 10-12% of the people living in the country. Also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, this festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar. This year, that day falls on September 10, which is just around the corner!
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, family and friends get together to thank the gods for a good harvest, feats on moon cakes, and carry lanterns through the streets. Of course, we’re all pretty familiar with the festivities. But not many of us know its origins, how people celebrate it, and where to go to join in the festivities. Here’s everything you need to know about the Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand, including where to eat the best mooncakes in Bangkok.
A Brief History of Mid-Autumn Festival
The exact origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is largely unknown. However, historical records indicate that it was derived from the practice of worshipping the moon that started in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 – 1046 BCE), more than 3,000 years ago. Ancient Chinese emperors worshipped the harvest moon because they thought it would ensure a bountiful crop the following year. However, the festival only started to gain popularity in China during the Tang Dynasty (618 -907 CE). It was then made official during the Northern Song Dynasty. At this time, the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar is officially designated as the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand is a little bit different. Legend has it that Eight Immortals fly to the Moon Palace on the night of the festival to give birthday greetings to the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. To bring success and prosperity to the people of Earth, they present her with peaches.
How Mid-Autumn Festival is Celebrated in Thailand
In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important holiday after the Chinese New Year. The Mid-Autumn Festival is just as important and widely celebrated in Thailand. Although there are some differences, the celebrations are very similar.
Traditionally, people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival as a time to thank the gods for a good harvest. Today, however, it has been infused with many more meanings. Aside from thanking the gods for the yearly harvest, people also celebrate the modern-day Mid-Autumn Festival as a time for family and friends to gather together to pray for good health and happiness. Since family reunions are an essential part of the festival, many people compare it to Thanksgiving in the US.
In Thailand, families usually pray to the moon and give each other peach-shaped cakes. Moreover, they eat mooncakes together with family and friends. Many people also give the sweet round cakes to family and friends to express their love and best wishes. Mooncakes in durian flavour are especially popular in Thailand. Pomelo is also a common food you’ll find during the festival since its round shape symbolises reunion and family gatherings.
Besides gatherings, Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand is also celebrated with Lantern parades, cultural shows and performances, food stalls, contests, and even beauty pageants. Some people also celebrate the festival by boarding a cruise at Siam Bay by Koh Chang island to watch the moon.
Where to Go for the Best Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations in Thailand
If you want to experience the best Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, go to areas with the highest population of Chinese people and Thai people of Chinese descent. Trang and Hat Yai usually held elaborate celebrations and parades. However, you can find big celebrations in areas like Phuket, Chanthaburi, Songkla, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Bangkok.
Where to Find the Best Mooncakes in Bangkok
On the days leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, you’ll find numerous stores around Thailand selling all kinds of mooncakes. The round cakes come in a variety of flavours, such as lotus seeds, durian, black sesame, chocolate, and even mint.
Whether you want to load up on mooncakes to enjoy by yourself or to give away to friends and families, consider going to the following places if you’re looking for the most delicious ones.
1. Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant at Bangkok Marriott Marquis presents seven flavours of mooncakes this year. The classic favourites like Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Seeds, White Lotus and Melon Seeds with Yolk, Pork Bak-Kwa and Assorted Nuts, and Chantaburi Durian and White Lotus Seeds with Yolk are still available. But the exciting new signatures are too hard to miss as well. These include Malted Chocolate Rocher, Mini Salted Egg Yolk Vanilla Custard, and Araksa Earl Grey Macadamia Orange. You can get the mooncakes in The Marquis Box (1,888 Baht) and in The Classic Box (999 Baht). Both boxes are elegant and make a wonderful gift for your loved ones.
2. Grand Hyatt Erawan
Executive Chef David Senia of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok creates silky mooncakes that are too hard to pass up. Classic fillings like Durian, White Lotus Seed, Eight Assorted Nuts, and Cream Custard are all available. However, they also offer more modern options such as Orange Yuzu and Macadamia, Coconut and Pandan Custard. In addition to the delicious mooncakes, Grand Hyatt Erawan gives a vibrant flair to the celebration with their colourful box. You can choose between a box of 4 mooncakes (988 Baht) or a box of 8 mooncakes (1,888 Baht).
3. The St. Regis Bangkok
The St. Regis Bangkok goes above and beyond with their mooncake packaging this year. Instead of conventional boxes, their mooncake packaging comes in the form of a stylish carrying bag in soft red vegan leather. Inside the bag are four sweet round cakes with different fillings: Mixed Nuts, Durian, Lotus Seed, and Yuzu & Macadamia. You can get the chic carrying bag and the scrumptious mooncakes for 1,588 Baht.
The mooncakes in these hotels are only available until September 10, so be sure to snatch some before they’re gone. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
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