Dove festival in Thailand

Attending festivals is one of my favourite activities when I travel, because you get to mix with celebrating locals and see a different side to a location and its people. I get particularly excited, when I just happen to stumble upon a festival, and the quirkier the festival seems to me the better.

One such quirky festival that I would like to attend, is the Asian Barred Ground Dove Festival, which this year runs from 2 - 4 March. The annual festival attracts dove enthusiasts from all over Thailand and its neighbouring countries to the town of Yala in southern Thailand.

Internationally the dove is seen as a symbol of peace, but many Thai also belive the bird brings good luck to anyone who keeps doves. The Barred Ground Dove also known as the Zebra Dove is therefore a popular cage bird and is particularly popular in bird-singing contests.

The Barred Ground Dove’s cooing call is demonstrated in the main event of the Asian Barred Ground Dove Festival, the cooing competion, in which 1,400 doves are expected to participate this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

If you are visiting Thailand at the time of the festival and would like to attend, please visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand website for full and up-to-date details.

Technorati Tags: travel, Thailand, Yala, Asian Barred Ground Dove Festival

Leave a Reply