Editing Bangkok (section)

===Festivals and events===
[[File:Ratchadamnoen King80 arch.jpg|thumb|right|alt=An elaborate double archway above a road, with pictures of King Bhumibol Adulyadej; trees decorated with lights|[[Ratchadamnoen Avenue]] is annually decorated with lights and displays in celebration of [[King Bhumibol]]'s birthday.]]
The residents of Bangkok celebrate many of Thailand's annual festivals. During [[Songkran (Thailand)|Songkran]] on 13–15 April, traditional rituals as well as water fights take place throughout the city. [[Loi Krathong]], usually in November, is accompanied by the Golden Mount Fair. New Year celebrations take place at many venues, the most prominent being the plaza in front of [[CentralWorld]]. Observances related to the royal family are held primarily in Bangkok. Wreaths are laid at King Chulalongkorn's equestrian statue in the Royal Plaza on 23 October, which is King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. The previous king's and queen's birthdays, respectively on 5 December and 12 August, are marked as Thailand's national Father's Day and national Mother's Day. These national holidays are celebrated by royal audiences on the day's eve, in which the king or queen gives a speech, and public gatherings on the day of the observance. The king's birthday is also marked by the [[Thai Royal Guards parade|Royal Guards' parade]].

[[Sanam Luang]] is the site of the Thai Kite, Sport and Music Festival, usually held in March, and the [[Royal Ploughing Ceremony]], which takes place in May. The Red Cross Fair at the beginning of April is held at Suan Amporn and the Royal Plaza, and features numerous booths offering goods, games, and exhibits. The [[Chinese New Year]] (January–February) and [[Vegetarian Festival]] (September–October) are celebrated widely by the Chinese community, especially in Yaowarat.<ref>Thavisin et al. (eds) 2006, p.&nbsp;72.</ref>

Bangkok was designated as the [[World Book Capital]] for the year 2013 by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-29 |title=Bangkok declared World Book Capital 2013 at UN conference |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/06/380082-bangkok-declared-world-book-capital-2013-un-conference |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=UN News |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915152618/https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/06/380082-bangkok-declared-world-book-capital-2013-un-conference |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bangkok's first Thai International Gay Pride Festival took place on October 31, 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=Asian Gay & Lesbian News Archive |url=https://www.utopia-asia.com/unews/archive.htm |access-date=4 June 2022 |archive-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731203520/https://www.utopia-asia.com/unews/archive.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Pride Parades have also been held in Bangkok, with the first official parade held in 2022 under the name "[[Bangkok Pride|Bangkok Naruemit Pride Parade]]". Pride Parades were announced to be a part of Bangkok's "12 monthly festivals" in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangkok celebrates first 'Pride Month' with newly elected governor |url=https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-celebrates-first-pride-month-with-newly-elected-governor/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=www.thaipbsworld.com |language=en-US |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009054719/https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-celebrates-first-pride-month-with-newly-elected-governor/ |url-status=live }}</ref>