Thailand Festivals

The festival is celebrated not only for religious purposes, but also for entertainment.

New Year's Day
I am glad to know that you are interested in Thai festivals. In fact, Thailand is well-known for her festivals which take place all year round. Whenever you come to Thailand, you can join our festivals.
First of all is New Year's Day. Actually, the official New Year's Day of Thailand has undergone several changes. Once it used to tall at the end of November. Late, during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) it was moved to a date round about April and then New Year's Day was changed to April the first.The universal practice of celebrating the New Year on January 1 was adopted in 1941 in deference to the western calendar, and this is one of a number of changes aimed at modernising the country. (Thanapol Chadchaidee, 2000 : 82)
The New Year celebration is an age-old tradition in Thailand. This is evident from the memoir of Father De Choisi of France who served in Thailand as assistant of the French envoy from 1684-1686 during the reign of King Narai the Great. He cited how the people decorated their residences on the occasion and how officials offered blessings to His Majesty the King in the Royal palace. (Public Relations Department, 1968 : 52)
The New Year's celebration actually begins on the evening of December 31. It starts with a party among families, relatives and friends.Presents and cards are given to each other. At midnight fireworks are set off to greet the coming year.
New Year's Day for Thais is the day to make merit by offering food to monks releasing caged birds and fish and going to listen to a sermon at a temple. Then people go to visit their elders and ask them for a blessing. The purpose is to have a good start to a new period in life and to show gratitude to their parents and respected ones.
If it is a long vacation. some people like to travel upcountry to visit their relatives or spend holidays at a tourist spot. At the same time, some companies take this opportunity to give their employees a bonus and to announce promotions.
New Year in Thailand is celebrated much like anywhere else, isn't it? I also enclose a lovely card wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year.
จากหนังสือ "เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น" ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ
เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

January

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
There are many kinds of festivals in Thailand.Today i will tell you about an interesting regional festival in Bo Sang Village in San Kamphaeng District of Chiang Mai Provice.Bo Sang has been well-known for painted Sa paper umbrellas for quite a long time and has become a Handicraft Center.it is so popular that foreign visitors often call it "Umbrella Village".
The Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is held in January (between 15-17 January)every year.This annual event,in the form of a "Streeet Fair",is organized along the main street of the village.Houses and shops on both sides of the road are decorated in Lanna style with lanterns and flags.Sa-made products especially umbrellas and other local goods are on sale.Bo Sang villagers show traditional village life and elephants and parades are decorated with umbrellas.Meanwhile cultural shows,Lively processions contests and entertainment programs add to the festive atmosphere.
Do you know Sa paper? it is paper made by Bo Sang Villagers.Using soft science,they transform mulberry trees into textured paper.Sa paper products are very popular for several reasons-their production does not pollute the environment,each finished plece has an individualistic hand-made look,and the cost is very low.
Are you interested in Bo Sang Umbrella Festival? Visitors are welcomed to participate in nandicraft competitions,too.

February

Chinese New Year Festival

Thailand is the home for people of many races.Because of Buddhism,Thailand is so tolerant that each group of people can perform their traditional and cultural activities freely.I am writing to tell you how the Chinese-Thais,one of the largest groups,celebrate their New Year'sDay.

Chinese New Year's Day normally falls on the first day of the first lunar month(between the month of January and March).The Chinese New Year celebration was first introduced in the king's court in the reign of King Rama lll (1824-1851) of the Chakri Dynasty. Members of the royal family and nobillity congregated to enjoy a feast bestowed by the Chinese community in gratitude for the hospitality extended to them. Today Chinese New Year is one of the most well known annual festivals and feasts celebrated by Sino-Thai.(Tourism Authority of Thailand,2002:4)

Although it is not a public holiday,most private organizations close their businesses for several days so that employers and their employees are able to celebrate this occasion with their families at home or go on holyday.

The ancient Chinese believed in spirits and the power of gods,so they used this occasion to pay homage to them and hoped for in return,a good year,a fruitful harvest,progress in their work etc.When the New Year approaches,there is also a major house-cleaning operation and nobody works during the celebration.The Chines-Thais prepare various traditional foods and presents,including offerings to the gods and spirits.This festival usually lasts three days called "Wan Jhai","Wan Wai"and "Wan Thur".

"Wan Jhai"(pay day)is the day before New Year's Eve when people pay and go shopping to prepare things for the celebration,so the city traffic is very heavy.

Being the last day of the year."Wan Wai"(offering day)starts with offerings to the gods in the morning,followed by offerings to ancestors and then offerings to homeless spirits.Offerings on New Year's Day are called "Wai Wan Chew Id".In the ceremony they pay homage to "Chai Sing Ear",the god of luck.Offered items are dry jelly noodles,dry bamboo shoots,dry black fungi,dry seaweed,dry mushroom,5 cups of Chinese tea,5 bowis of red Ei snack,5 different fruits,3 joss sticks and a pair of Chiness candles.All are placed on an offering table looking eastward.

"Wan Thur"(travelling day)is the Chinese New Year day when people customarily speak good things,do only good acts and praise each other with good words like "Sin Jeer Yu Ei,Sin Nee Haud Chai" which means "Have a happy New Year".The day is also known as "Wan Thiew" or a day for travelling,and many people use their"Ang Pao"money to travel.

To visit senior relatives in the Chinese community is a universal practice. Moreover,people especially like to exchange oranges,as an orange is a symblo of "good luck". Visitors are also welcomed with the traditional Ei snack.

If you want to join this festival,you can go to Yaowarat Road in Bangkok which is known as China Town,or take a trip to Nakhon Sawan Province in the central part of Thailand.The most exciting feature is the Dragon Dance with colorful lights and sounds.It is intended to pay homan beings.Each year thousands of visitors come to see the celebrations which include parades,the lion dance competition,Chinese opera,food fairs,shopping bazaars and other cultural pertormances designed to provide enjoyment to all.

I do hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit Thailand in the near future.

จากหนังสือ...”.เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น “ ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

March

Poi Sang Long Festival

The traditions of Thai Yai,an ethnic group who migrated from northern Burma and then settled in the northern province of Thailand called Mae Hong Son,are interesting,too.

Poi Sang Long,known as the Ordination of Novices,is a three-day celebration of Buddhist novices,ordination held in late March or early Apirl in Mae Hong Son.It is said that the practice of Poi Sang Long probably began in 957 A.D.and has been passed from generation to generation.The Thai Yai people firmly belleve that there is great merit in the ordination of Buddhist novices.Thus,7-14 year-old boys are encouraged to spend some time in the temple as novices.

The day before the event,the candidates,who have had their heads shaven,are bathed and anointed with special water.They are dressed in the style of a Thai Yai prince,and their faces are expertly made up.The most ornamental part of all is the headdress which is decorated with shinning silk and flowers of various shades.These boys are known as "the Jewel Princes"or"Look Kaew"in Thai.

In the early morning of the first day,known as Poi Sang Long Day,thecelebration begins with a procession around the town.Each boy is accompanied by three men:the first to carry him,the second to shelter him from the sun with a tall golden umbrella,and the third to guard the precious jewels.

The boys are taken to visit relatives and friends and then join the communion lunch. After the feast,relatives and the leders tie white threads around the wrists of the boys to protect them from evil spirits.

On the second day,procession consisting of flues,Iutes,fiddles,drums and cymbals is repeated.Offerings for the Buddha,other necessities for monks and a horse symbolizing the vehicle of the spirit of the city pillar are also included in the procession.The boys are taken to the town pillar to seek forgiveness for any sins they may have committed from senior monks and elder relatives.In the evening,there is the rite of calling the spirits known as "kwan"in Thai and a verbal recitation to prepare the boys for the actual ordination on the following day.

The last day of the celebration begins with a lively procession taking the novices to the temple where they are ordained.The boys ask permission to be ordained from the senior monks. After being accepted,the boys take vows and change from their princely attire to yellow robes and thus become novices.

Poi Sang Long Festival attracts a large number of Thai and foreign tourists.Wouldn't you like to come to see this old religious tradition?

จากหนังสือ...”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น” ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

April

is Songkran Festival

The first of January considered the official New Year's Day, but Thais still celebrate"Songkran Day" with much festivity. I am writing to tell you why this is so.

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year which falls from 13-15 April,the hottest month of a year. It is an occasion for joy and family reunion like Christmas in your country. It is celebrated with religious ceremonies and public festivities in Bangkok and other parts of the country.

The word "Songkran"is derived from the Pali language of the Buddhist scriptures.In Pali the word"Sankhara" or "Sankranti"in Sanskrit,refers to the movement of the sun from one sing of the Zodiac to another;here from Aries to Taurus.The word changed to Songkran in Thai,and later to Songgran or Songkran.(Goson Bhadungzong 1999:40)

Songkran is a celebration that has found its way from india through Burna into Chiang mai and then to the rest of Thailand. According to the legend,Tao Kabilaprom,a four-faced Brahman god,made a bet with a young man named Dhammabalakumara, who was well versed in all the secrets of the universe.Whoever lost had to cut off his head. The god's question was "Where was the aura of a man in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening?". Dhammabalakumara had to give the correct answer within 7days. Six days passed but Dhammabalakumara could not find any answer.He was worried and ran away info the forest lying down under alarge tree in which a couple of eagles lived.They talked about the question. The male eagle said that it was a very simple question. The answer was that the aura of a man in the morning was on the face because one had to wash one’s face every morning. In the affernoon , the aura would be on the body or chest, since one had to take a bath and dad some powder on the chest, And in the evening, it would be on the feet because one had to wash one’s feet before going to bed. Whoever could act this way would be admired and said to be in possession of a certain aura. Dhammabalakumara listened to the answer and rushed off immediately to see tao kabilaprom . The god lost the bet. He kept his word and cut off his own head. But his head was very sacred and powerful. There was nowhere to place it. If it fell down on the ground, fire would cover the whole world. If it fell down in the water, the water in the seas and oceans would dry up. If it was left in the air, there would be no rain, and the world would face serious drought . Therefore,before he cut off his head, tao Kabilaprom ordered his seven daughters, who were angels and them became Songkran goddesses, to bring a large tray on which to lay his head and keep it on Mount Krailas, where the God Siva lived. His seven daughters would then take turns to hold the tray of their father’s head parading around Mount Krailas once a year on April 13.

Various activities at Songkran are as follows:

- Cleaning of living places, nearby compounds in the community and Buddhist temples

- Offering food to monks in the morning

- Making merit by setting free fish and birds

- Listening to sermons and practicing the five precepts

- Bathing the Buddha image with scented perfume floating with jasmine and roses

- Building of sand pagodas decorated with colorful flags and flowers to worship Lord Buddha, or for construction purpose and other public works.

- Making merit for dead ancestors

- Wearing new clothes to pay respect to elders

- Pouring water on elders’hands using clean water mixed with perfume

- Splashing water on each other fun with clean water in polite manner

- Celebrating the festival with various local entertainments

- Holding a Songkran Beauty Queen Contest and procession

In Bangkok, merit making is organized at Sanam Luang to offer food to monks. Coged birds and fish are set free. A Pra Buddha Sihing image is put in place for people to sprinkle water on. On Visuthkasat Road, there is a Songkran Beauty Queen Contest using Thai national costumes. Meanwhile, on khao Sarn Road both Thais and foreigners enjoy splashing water on each other, so this festival is known among foreigners as “ The Water Festival “ . Anyone who goes out on the street is likely to get a thorough soaking. People belleve that water will wash away bad luck, and splashing water over friends or anyone will give them a New Year blessing. When the young pour scented water on their elder’s hands, they in return, wish them good health, happiness and prosperity.Aprit 14 is called “ Family Day “.

In Chiang Mai, the festival stretches over four days. Each day has a different focus and activities.

On April 13 (Wan Songkhan Long) in the early morning, firecrackers are set off to drive away bad luck from the previous year. People clean their houses, especially the attar, then bathe, wash their hair and wear new clothes prepared for the New Year festival. The Songkran parade consisting of Buddha image, representative groups from the various districts of Chiang Mai and musicians dressed in Lanna style moves through the streets. Then they splash water on each other.

April 14 (Wan Nao) is a day for good deeds, making merit at temples and being kid to people. People offer food to monks. They also go down to the Ping River to collect buckets of sand which is used to build sand pagodas decorated with cut paper, flags and flowers in the temple compound and to raise the level of the temple courtyard.

April 15 (Wan Payawan) is the first day of the New Year and people gather at the temple in the early morning to offer food, new robes and other necessities to monks. Then they release fish and birds and bathe the Buddha image.

April 16 (Wan Pak pee), people pay respect to their ancestors. Elders or high-ranking government officials asking them for forgiveness for bad deeds. There is Rod Nam Dam Hua procession headed by a traditional dance group to pour lustral water on the elders’hands and offer them gifts such as Mor-hom and Pah-Khao-mah. The elders then bless the young people for the coming New Year. There is also Dam Hua Khu-a ceremony to bathe stupas that contain ancestor ashes.

Songkran Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakarn which was originally called “ Songkran Pak Lat “ is similar to other traditional Songkran festivals. One difference is the date of celebration-instead of holding the festival on April 13, it is held on the fallowing Sunday. Another difference is that it is still maintains several ancient traditions of the Thai-Raman people.

There are 10-20 processions every year. Every procession includes a Songkran floral float with the Miss Songkran of the year carrying the symbols of Songkran and other ongels. There is also another procession of beautiful women dressed in traditional Thai-Raman costumes. They carry jars of fish and cages of birds. The Ramon men walking beside the Songkran float wear Sarongs, round-collared shirts with Sabai around their necks; this is called “ Loi Chai “ costume. Their duties are to make sure that the procession runs smoothly. A folk called “ Saba “ is also played.

Songkran Festival represent a day of caring, love and binding among the family, community and religious. Members of the family stay together and the young pour lustral water on their elders’hands asking for a blessing and showing their gratitude towards the elders. In addition, the activities have been developed to promote unity in the community such as offering food to monks, building sand pagodas, and splashing water on each other for fun.

จากหนังสือ...”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น “ ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

May

Bun Bang Fai or Rocket Festival

The majority of Thai people are farmers, so there are various traditions involved in agriculture such as Bun Bang Fai or the Rocket Festival. Thai superstition and animistic beliefs have also led to many rites and activities in this festival such as the offering of gifts to holy beings.

The Rocket Festival or “ Bun Bang Fai “ is a regional festival and an occupational tradition which is held in the second week of May at the beginning of the rainy season. Rice farmers are often affected by natural disasters such as floods and droughts, so they become superstitious and perform various ceremonies to ensure plentiful rain during the coming rice-planting season. In many provinces in the North, and particularly the Northeast of Thailand, such as in Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathni, surin etc., the people have used rockets at this festival for centuries.

According to legend, a rain god named Vassakarn was known for his fascination with fire. To ensure that the farmers have enough rain for rice cultivation, they send home-made rockets to the heavens carried out where the god resides. This tradition is still.

In the folktale named “ Pa Daeng-Nang Al “, it was told that a drought had happened long before Phaya Khom,Nong Al’s father, announced the competition of fire rocket shooting. Pa Daeng, who was able to fire his rocket to the greatest height married to Nang Al, and finally was able to induce rain.

The preparation and launching of a rocket as a tribute to the rain god is a communual affair. The festival organized not only by villages but also by cities.

After weeks of preparation, villagers under the guidance of Buddhist monks finish making rockets, launching platforms and decorations. An average rocket is about three to four meters long. This length does not include the bamboo tall which helps the rocket maintain a vertical position during liftoff and for the rest of the flight.

In the afternoon of the festival day, rockets are carried in a procession to the launching site. Villagers are dressed in colorful traditional costumes, and the regional dance and musical instrument of the northeast called “ Kaen “, a set of bamboo flutes bundled together, are employed. Rockets are placed on the launching platforms and ballads are sung in praise of the beauty of the rockets. The climax of the festival is the firing of the rockets. The rockets are fired one by one from the launching platforms. Each liftoff is greeted by cheers and noisy music. The rocket that reaches the greatest height is the winner, and the owner receives a reward. But the owners of the rockets that exploded or failed to fly are thrown into the mud for fun.

I would like you to come to the Rocket Festival sometime. Hoping to be your travelling guide throughout Thailand one day.

จากหนังสือ..” ฌทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น “ ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาว นิธิ สตะเวทิน

June

Phi Ta Khon or Ghost festival

Phi Ta Khon is type of masked procession celebrated on the first day of a three-day Buddhist merit-making holiday known in Thai as “ Bun Pai Wate “.The annual festival takes place in May, June or July in Dan Sai District in the northeastern province of Loel. The exact date is to be selected by the town’s spirit which can communincate only through a medium.

The festival has its origin in a traditional Buddhist tale. It tells of when Prince Vessandorn, Lord Buddha’s last great incarnation before attaining enlightenment, returned to his city. The welcoming procession was so delightful that the spirits wanted to join the fun.

Phi Ta khon is celebrated largely by young men who wear huge masks made from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with wicker work and sticky-rice steamers and dress as ghosts to parade a sacred Buddha image. They tease villagers from the Man River to Wat Phon Chai on the first day. The procession is marked by a lot of music and dancing. Then they fire off the usual bamboo rockets to signal the end of the procession. Contests for the best masks, costumes and dancers are also held.

On the second day, the villagers gather at Wat Ponchai to listen to the messages of the thirteen sermons of Prince Vessandorn recited by the local monks. They release offerings to Phi Ta Khon, which are believed to be ghost, into the Man River. Finally, they put away their ghost masks and costumes which are then kept for another year, and return to work in their paddy fields.

It is said that the reason for this festival is an attempt to evoke the annual rains and to bless crops.

จากหนังสือ..เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย..นางสาว นิธิ สตะเวทิน

July

Festival of Floral Offerings & Candle Festival

During the three months of Buddhist Lent, there are some regional festivals such as the festival of floral Offerings in Saraburi and the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.

The Festival of Floral Offerings takes place on the first day of the eighth lunar month. The Offering of Flowers is a traditional religious practice of Buddhists in Phra Phuttabat District, Saraburi Province, which has now been performed for many generations. The people believe that the offering of fresh flowers to Buddhist monks is a symbol of their devotion to Lord Buddha.

In the early morning of the first day of the Buddhist Lent, people gather in the sermon hall of Wat Pha Phutthabat Vora Maha Viharn where the Shrine of the Holy Footprint is located and offer food to the monks. Then, the worshippers go to collect flowers called “ The Flower of Buddhist Lent “ to offer to the monks for merit .

The ceremony of the Offering of the Flowers is traditionally performed in the afternoon of Buddhist Lent Day in the courtyard of the temple where the people stand in two rows with a two-meter space between them forming a passage. Then the monks come along the passage to receive the flowers. On this occasion, the villagers organize folk dances, folk music and exhibitions of the art of self-defense using swords and clubs etc .There is a parade of the Lent Candle and a contest procession of long-drum folk dances and a parade of the Flower Offering moving along the streets of the district to the temple. People, led by these joyful parades, proceed to the temple to offer their flowers to the monks.

This celebration of Buddhist Lent is observed in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani. In fact, the Buddhist Lent Candle Procession might have been introduced in Thailand as recently as the time of the establishment of Bangkok by King Rama l, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty. To Buddhists, those that emit light become associated with learning and enlightenment. The idea behind the candle offerings is to provide Buddhist monks with a means of light in order to read the sacred Buddhist texts during Lent.

The people of Ubon Ratchathani make candle trees, some of which are several meters tall. The top of a candle may be fashioned in the shape of a lotus flower or the blossom of some other kinds of flowers. Different colored papers are put on the candles to add to their beauty. Then the Buddhist lent Candle Procession is organized and brought to the Thung Si Muang area for a contest on Asanhapuja Day. The Phalaeng, a northeastern-style dinner, is organized for visitors who join the Candle Festival.

The next morning, marking Buddhist Lent Day, beautifully carved beewax candles are paraded around the city before being presented to local temples. There is also singing, especially traditional northeastern songs, and long-drum dancing groups.

This festival is celebrated not only for religious purposes, but also for entertainment.

จากหนังสือ...”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น “ ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

August

The Longan Festival of Lamphun

Lamphun, a northern provice near Chiang Mai, has long been recognized for the best longans. To promote this important agricultural product, the Longan Festival was instigated ten years ago. Every year, during this festival, floats of longans, and a Miss Longan procession decorated with different parts of the longan such as leaves, fruit and branches, are paraded during the festival. Long-drums and folk musical instrument also play an important role in the merry-making.

The Longan Festival takes place over several days in August at the Principal

Stadium of Lamphun. The main activities are the contest for the best longans, the Longan Beauty Contest, the Float Contest and the exciting contest for Buddha image Amulets which are well-known for their specific component of herbs, floral pollen, and holy soil in 7 different colours and between several hundred to a thousand years old.

Many visitors attend this annual event and buy the longan products directly from the growers.

Come to Thailand if you want to taste delicious longans.

จากหนังสือ..”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น” ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชา กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย..นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

September

Boat Racing Festival & Lai Rua Fai Festival

Boat Racing is one of the traditions which marks the end of Buddhist Lent . At this time the water is at its highest level, so many provinces on the banks of riversannually hold boat racing festivals in various parts of the country such as in Nan, Phichit, Phisanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Pathum Thani, Surat Thani etc.

In the Ayutthaya Period (about 600 years ago) boat racing was organized by the Royal Navy under the direct command of the King. Boat Racing in those days was a means to keep boat men physically and mentally alert. Other function of Boat Racing was fortune predicting. Royal Boat Racing of two boats named “ Samathachai “ and “ Kraisoramook “ took place in the eleventh lunar month. If the former wan, chaos was predicted, if the latter, peace and prosperity would occur.

At present, Boat Racing is becoming a national spot. Each year, Phichit Province holds a festival to pay homage to the luang Pho Phet Buddha image. On this occasion, local people organize annual long-boat racing. Boats are dugouts made lags and beautifully decorated. Sixty oarsmen dressed in the same colour sit in a double row on the racing boats. The spectators lining both banks of the river shout and cheer loudly and at the end prizes are given to the winning team. The long-boat Racing Festival also cnludes cultutanl performances, foik games, entertainment programs and a bazaar. This festival gives the local community an opportunity to come together.

Another famous boat race in Thailand is Narathiwat, the southernmost province of Thailand. The local boat of this area is called “ Korlae “ . At the end of September, Koriae Boat Racing is held on the Bangnana River. Besides this, local handicrafts save available for sale.

Lai Rua Fai or the llluminated Boat Procession is an old festival of Nakhon Phanom, a northeastern province of Thailand. The outside of the boat is decorated with flowers, Joss sticks, candles and lamps, while there are sweets, steamed-sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves called “ Khao Tom Mud “ and other offerings inside the boat.

On the festival day,the boats are placed on wheels and moved in procession accompanied by folk performances. The procession ends on the bank of the Mekong River in front of the Governor’s Residence. In the evening, Buddhist monks are invited to chant and give a sermon. At sunset, people light their boats and float them on the Mekong River to worship Lord Buddha. Beautiful lights in various shapes from the floating boats are seen from a long distance and bring happiness to all.

จากหนังสือ...”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น “ ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

เรียบเรียงโดย นางสาวนิธิ สตะเวทิน

October

Tak Bat Thewo & Chak Phra Festival

I am going to tell you about the Tak Bat Thewo and Chak Phra Festival.

After delivering a sermon to this dead mother in heaven for three months, Lord Buddha returned to earth and he was greeted by his followers and disciples. Two public festivals are held at the end of Buddhist Lent or Oak Phansa: the “ Tak Bat Thewo “ in the central region and the “ Chak Phra “ in the South. The celebration of these two festivals may be different in preparation and practive according of the location.

Tak Bat THewo “ means “ offering food to Buddhist monks”. The celebration portrays the event of Lord Buddha’s return to earth. Thus, for a temple located on a hill like Wat Sangkas Rattana Khiri in Uthai Thani Province, Buddhist monks gather on the hilltop and form a single row in the early morning. Then they move to the ground below. For temples built on flat ground like Wat Sraket in Bangkok, the monks gather and form a row in the chapel and then move outside. Each monk holds a black alms bowl and when all is ready, the row of monks headed by the two white-robeb men representing God Indra and God Brahma, carry a standing Buddha image and move slowly along the path. People then offer food to the passing mpnks.

“Chak Phra” means “pulling a sacred Buddha image “. It is celebrated in many southern provinces such as Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala and Surat Thani. The procession is held both on land and on water. The Buddha image is placed on a decorated barge and boats then tow the blace where the Buddha image is washed and adome with a new robe. On the following day, the procession moves to another area so that people can worship and make merit. The Chak Phra Festival includes an exciting boat race and a traditional game called “ Sat Tom “ or : Throwing Rice Balls “ made of rice mixed with sugar and wrapped in leaves. On the following morning the Buddha image is taken back to the temple from which the procession began.

จากหนังสือ..”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น” ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

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November

Loy Krathong Festval

One of the most well-known Thai festivals is Loy Krathong Festival. If falls on the full moon night November when the moon is brightest, and the tide is at its highest level.

The word " Loy " means " to float ", and " Krathong " means lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves, the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant . Loy Krathong is, therefore, the floating of an illuminated leaf bowl. But nowadays some Krathong are made of coloured paper. A krathong usually contains a candle, three joss sticks, some flowers and coins.

The history or Loy Krathong Festival is slightly obscure. Fist, it is to ask for apology from the water goddess for having used and sometimes made rivers and canals dirty. Second, it is to offer flowers, candles and joss sticks as a tribute to the footprint of Lord Buddha on the sandy beach of the Nammatha River in India. Third, it is to show gratitude to the Phra Mae Kong Ka or Mother of Water. Fourth, it is to wash away the previous year’s misfortunes. However, one explanation may apply very well i.e. people want to have a good time when rivers and canais are full of water and the moon is at it’s most beautiful.

Loy Krathong Festival has been an important tradition since the Sukhothai Period. Lady Noppamas or Tao Sri Chulalak, the Brahman consort of King Lithai, was the first person who introduced “Krathongcherm”, the banana leaf krathong in the from of lotus blossom on the festival night.

The festival starts in evening when the full moon is high in the sky. People carry their krathong to the rivers and canals. After lighting candles and joss sticks and making a wish, they gently place the krathongs on the water and let them float away till they go out of sight . It is believed that krathongs carry away their sins and bad luck, and happiness will come to them.

The festival includes a contest of krathong-making, the Lady Noppamas Beauty Queen Contest, local games and performances, entertainment programs and firework displays. The Loy Krathong song contributes to the romantic atmosphere of this occasion.

Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated everywhere in Thailand, especially in Sukhothai and Tak provinces. The practice in each province is slightly different.

In Sukhothai, the festival is known as “Loy Krathong Festival illuminated with Candles.” The event begins during daytime with spectsacular procession Noppcamas, and krathongs in various forms. In the evening, the history of Sukhothai is presented in a light and sound show at Sukhothai Historical Park . the highlight of the ceremony is a floating illuminated by lanterns and candles. The festive atmosphere with music and singing as a reminder of the first Loy Krathong in Sukhothai over 700 years ago.

In Tak, Loy Krathong Sai, Thailand’s lovely annual “ Festival of Lights “ on the full moon night in November is celebrated in a unique manner. Villagers thread together their krathongs which are launched at the same time and appear as lighted necklaces on the Ping River.

For foreign tourists, the Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not to be missed. The festival is listed in the tourist calendar.Leading hotes organize parties and foreigners are invited to take part in it and share the joy and happiness of the occasion.

จากหนังสือ..”เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น “ ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

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December

The King’s Birthday : National Father’s Day

December 5 is an important day in the Thai calendar because all Thais celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who was born on December 5, 1927. It is also regarded as National Father’s Day.

His Majesty King Bhumipol is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty and the longest monarch in the history of Thailand. He is recognized as the heart of the Thais and father of the nation. He is held in high esteem, both by his own citizens and people in all parts of the world. He usually visits his people in both rural and urban areas to learn about their needs and helps them to solve their problems. For example, he has invented a machine for water treatment called “Chai Pattana” which is useful in both agriculture and industry. Because of his countless projects, he has helped Thailand to

become more prosperous. December 5 was announced as National Father’s Day in 1980, and the canna or Buddha Raksa has been used as the symbol for National Father’s Day.

All Thais perform various activities to pay tribute to the King. For example, members of the Royal Guards dressed in colorful uniforms loyally swear allegiance and march past members of the Royal Family, distinguished guests, and general public at the Royal Plaza; this is an impressive the event held a few days before his birthday. Other Thais express their gratitude to him by decorating houses and buildings with his portraits, flags and beautiful lights. Religious rites are held, and the whole nation prays to the Holy Triple Gem and all the sacred things in the universe to bless the King with good health, happiness and the strength to carry on his hard work.

At the same time, fathers are reminded to recognize their roles and responsibility for their families, and children pay tribute and express gratitude to their fathers by giving them presents or special meals. Fathers who have shown good care and educational support for their children are selected to be “Father of the Year”.

I have told you about many kinds of Thai festivals divided into family, religious, social, public ceremonies and regional festivals which can show you Thai values and characteristics. I hope these will encourage you to visit Thailang soon.

จากหนังสือ “เทศกาล งานประเพณีท้องถิ่น” ระดับมัธยมศึกษา กรมวิชาการ กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ

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