[Chooriwrocafn]

Is it my imagination or does Thailand have a festival of some kind for every occasion?

I love reading the Thai blogs and most of them picture a gathering of some kind. Getting married? A 3 day party is in order. New house? A large buffet and monks show up to bless the house. Becoming a monk? A parade!

Everything revolves around a large gathering of food! You would think Thai's would have a weight problem, but they're skinny as beanstalks.

[JoesBro]

Its all to do with "Sanuk" -the Thai philosophy of making the best out of everything life throws at the individual. My own personal theory is that if there is no food -it is not "Sanuk" !
Most of the food at these various festivals etc is prepared communally by those taking part - no outside caterers !!- so cooking, eating and sharing with each re-affirms the bonds that ties people and communities together in the good times and the bad times. Some village Wats keep a collection of large saucepans etc just for such mass celebrations. Everyone gets fed -even the spirits via the spirit house. Monks cannot eat after their midday meal.
Someone observant once said "Thais do not eat to live, they live to eat!" Another equally observant person also said "If Thais are not actually eating, then they are thinking of what they are going to eat next !"
The lack of a weight problem among the majority of Thais may be due to Thais habit of eating 4 or 5 small meals a day instead of of the several very large ones we westerners tend to eat. Their metabolisms have a chance to burn off the carbohydrates in between meals. Never the less, there are some obese Thais. What Thais tend to traditionally eat may also be important, some Thai children are becoming obese from constantly eating western junkfood.

[RCQDnMp5]

We once even joined a party that was clearly not for us... there was a symposium on something in a big hotel, and our boss "invited" us to join the party at lunch. The whole office staff went to eat and have fun, later we went shopping and unfortunately we couldn't work that day

On the other hand, whenever there was a party in our neighborhood, everybody around would join in. No need to invite anyone, they'll come anyway! I love Thai festivals!

[Caursedus]

Well from my experience, Thai's seem to throw a party at the drop of a hat, any excuse will do.