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.
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