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All over Phuket
October
This annual event is held
during 9th Chinese calendar month in which the locals of Chinese ancestry
undertake a ten day vegetarian diet. Various rituals are performed at
Chinese temples and there are processions of ascetic devotees performing
remarkable feats such as fire-walking and climbing ladders with knife-edge
rungs. |
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Chonburi City Hall
October
The water buffalo has
always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand, but in this
yearly event, they can be seen in more unusual and entertaining ways than
ploughing fields; namely, buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against
man. Elegant beauty pageants and various other fun activities are included,
which attract visitors from all over.
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Illuminate Boat
Procession |
Mekong River
Nakhon Phanom
October
Held annually, this
dazzling event on the mighty Mekong River marks the end of the Ok Phansa
(Buddhist Lent) by the launching of elaborately adorned boats, each
containing assorted offerings, adrift on the river when night falls.
Festivities are further enhanced with a colourful street procession and
cultural performances for everyone to enjoy.
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Wat Phra That Choeng Chum
Sakon Nakhon
October
To celebrate
the end of Buddhist Lent, people
in the Northeast mould beeswax into miniature Buddhist temples and shrine
(wax castles) in order to gain merit, which will determine their future
rebirth. These crafted models can be witnessed especially in Sakon Nakhon
where there is an annual festival with grand wax castle procession,
competitive boat racing as well as traditional Northeastern cultural
performances among many other joyous activities.
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Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri
Uthai Thani
October
The festival features over 300
monks coming down from Sakae Krang mountain to receive offerings from
Buddhists. This is truly a rare and beautiful sight. |
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Bang Phli
Samut Prakan
October
This is to provide
facilitation and is a way to jointly make merit. This tradition has become
the "Rap Bua" (lotus receiving) festival.
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Chak Phra &
Thot Pha Pa Festival |
Surat Thani
October
Chak Phra and Thot Phapa
are two religious merit making ceremonies that occur on the same day at end
of Buddhist Lent. Occurring at sunrise, Thot Phapa is where Buddha images on
elaborately decorated carriages are pulled by the locals in land and
water-borne processions. Chak Phra takes place after this whereby saffron
robes are offered to monks and money is donated to temples. These events are
further highlighted with cultural performances and music.
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City Hall and Saensuklampam
Beach Phatthalung
October
Each year, celebrations are held
in this Southern city and its environs. These include exhilarating drum
beating and elaborately decorative boat competitions, as well as a
meritorious ritual known as Tak Bat Thewo.
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Wat Phra That Doi Kongmu
Mae Hong Son
October
Poi Loen sip Et is one
tradition that is celebrated in grand style. It is an interesting mixture of
Thai and Thai Yai cultures. The highlight of this festival at the end of the
Buddhist Lent is the "Chong Phara" procession or "Prasat Rap Sadet Phra
Phutthachao" (castle for receiving Lord Buddha).
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