Rap
Bua, Yon Bua Festival, Samut Prakan
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting local and
international tourists to take part in one of the kingdom’s most
spectacular festivals to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent 2014 or Ok Phansa, which
usually falls on the full moon day of the 11th lunar
month or 8 October this year.
This year, the Ok Phansa festival
will take place during 4-16 October with provinces nationwide set to
celebrate the occasion on different days and in distinctive styles,
depending on their locality and tradition.
In the Northern region, the charming
province of Mae
Hong Son has scheduled to mark the Ok Phansa festival
at Wat Doi Kong Mu in Mueang district during 4-16 October, at Wat
Uttayarom in Mae Sariang district during 5-7 October and in Pai district
during 7-8 October.
The highlight is the spectacular ‘Chong Phara’ procession
of the Tai Yai ethnic group, the colourful parade of
beautifully-decorated wooden castle replicas, merit-making activities,
candle procession, a fair of local products and food, as well as cultural
performances.
In the Northeastern region, at least
six provinces have announced that their celebrations to mark the Ok Phansa will
be the biggest ever yet. Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Khai, Bueng
Kan, Loei and Chaiyaphum are all known for their distinctive cultures and
traditions.
Nakhon Phanom has
scheduled its Lai
Rue Fai or Illuminated Boat Procession festival on 1-9
October on the bank of the Mekong River and in front of the City Hall.
The ancient tradition of the illuminated boat procession, organised for
generations to celebrate Ok
Phansa, will take place on the night of 8 October.
Other
highlights include a Red Cross fair, cultural performances and rare
traditional dances.
Sakon
Nakon Wax Castle Procession
Sakon Nakhon is
set to mark Ok
Phansa with a spectacular wax candle procession,
exhilarating long- boat races, and fun-filled cultural events and
activities during 6-7 October at Suan Ming Mueang and Suan Somdej Sri
Nakarin Park.
From 8-10 October, the enchanting
provinces of Nong
Khai and Bueng
Kan are expected to once again be mesmerised by the
annual natural phenomenon when fireballs of various sizes burst from the
bottom of the Mekong River.
Locals strongly believe that these fireballs
belong to Naga, a serpent deity in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The
three-day festival also features floats and illuminated boats contest,
and long-boat races.
Chiang Khan district, Loei is all
set to showcase the grand wax castle procession, Thai-Lao long-boat
races, cultural performances and a beauty contest during 7-8 October.
Meanwhile, Chaiyaphum invites
all visitors to witness the province’s most unique ‘Ti Klee (fireball
croquet)’ competition, local and international sports
tournaments, and lantern releasing at night.
Tak
Bat Devo, Uthai Thani
The Central Region of Thailand is
also packed with the most unique traditions in celebrating the end of the
Buddhist rains retreat.
Samut Prakan is
well-known for the annual Rap
Bua (receiving lotus) at Khlong Samrong in front of Wat
Bangphli Yai Nai. This year, the ritual will take place on 8 October.
While at it, visitors can join locals to worship the highly-revered Luangpho To Buddha
image, enjoy several fun-filled cultural events, try local cuisine and
shop for local products.
Synonymous to Uthai Thani is
the annual ‘Tak Bat
Devo’ ceremony at Wat Sankat Rattanakhiri in Mueang
district. This year, on 9 October, more than 500 Buddhist monks are
expected to carry the Buddha image and descend down from Sakae Krang
mountaintop to receive alms and food offerings from devotees.
The event
symbolises the Buddha’s return to Earth after spending three months
preaching his mother in heaven.
Nakhon Nayok is
another province with a unique tradition of celebrating Ok Phansa,
especially several merit-making activities in which locals offer
specially-made sticky rice and dried food for Buddhist monks at Wat Khao
Nangbuat in Mueang district. This year, the activities will take place
during 8-9 October alongside other highlights; such as, cultural
performances and Thai traditional costume contest.
Surat
Thani Chak Phra Festival
In the Southern region, several
provinces are famous for their unique Chak Phra, Lark Phra or Hae Phra ceremony,
where high-revered Buddha image is carried on beautifully decorated
floats and hauled in the river or on the road, allowing Buddhist devotees
to join in making merit.
Surat Thani in
the Thai Gulf is set to celebrate Ok
Phansa festival from 5 to 13 October at the Tapi river
section on Na Muaeng Road and Ban Don Road.
The annual Surat Thani Chak
Phra Festival and Long Boat Races highlights spectacular procession of
the hauling of Buddha images in the river and on land, Phum Pha Pa offering
ritual, light and sound presentations on the Tapi River, cultural
performances, and the exciting long boat races.
Phatthalung is
also celebrating Ok
Phansa with the colourful procession of Chak Phra or
the hauling of Buddha image in the river and on land. Other key
highlights are Tak
Bat Devo,Pon –
traditional drum beating contest, Rue
Phra celebrating ceremony, beauty contest and many more.
The Pon Drum Competition and Lark Phra Festival is scheduled to take
place from 1-10 October, in front of Office of Phatthalung Municipality.
The tradition of Chak Phra or Lark Phra (the
hauling of Buddha image) in the river and on land is also practised in
the Andaman province of Trang.
This year the 14th Trang Laak Phra Festival and Cultural Fair 2014 is set
to take place from 9-16 October at Rue Phra field, Trang Municipality
Sport Stadium. This year, more than 85 temples will take part in the
spectacular procession of Lark
Phra ritual and merit-making to RuePhra (boats
carrying Buddha images).
Other highlights include local cultural
performances and traditional sport competitions.
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