 Hae
Pha Khuen That Festival is celebrated
at Phra Borom That Chedi. The pagoda is
considered to be the representative of Lord
Buddha and is believed by locals to possess
unsurpassed might of righteousness as it
contains holy relics. Every year Buddhists
pay homage to the pagoda by organizing a
procession bearing a religious cloth to
wrap around the pagoda to bring good fortune
and success. This festival is held twice
a year during Makha Bucha Day (the 15th
full-moon night of February) and Visakha
Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of May).
Festival of the
Tenth Lunar Month is a grand event
of the province and of southern Thailand.
This festival is held from the 1st waning-moon
night to the 15th waning-moon night every
September. It is held to pay respect to
deceased ancestors. According to Buddhism
beliefs, the dead had many sins and was
sent to hell to become a demon. The demons
are allowed to come up to meet their relatives
for 15 days in September, but must return
to hell before sunrise of the 15th day.
The living try to appease the spirits
by taking food to temples to make merit.
Beginning on the 13th day, people will
go shopping for food to be given. The
14th day is spent preparing and decorating
the food tray, and the 15th day is the
actual merit-making day. The tray presented
nowadays has elaborate designs but still
retains traditional components. Contests
to find the most beautiful tray are held.
A magnificent procession proceeds along
Ratchadamnoen Road on the 14th day.
Chak Phra
or Lak Phra Festival is influenced
by Indian culture, which expanded into
the province a long time ago. The festival
signifies the joy that people had when
Lord Buddha returned from a star and the
Lord was invited to sit on a throne and
carried to a palace. In practice, locals
would bear a Buddha image holding a bowl
in a procession around the city. This
is a great way for escape from daily routine
and it is a fun competition to find who
is the most religious. Held in October,
the festival is preceded by activities
7 days before, such as beating drums,
playing castanets and decorating the ceremonial
throne for the image. The actual ceremony
is usually held only on the last day of
the Buddhist Lent. People would take the
image from the temple in the morning and
proceed to Benchama Rachuthit School in
Amphoe Muang. This is also done in front
of Ron Phibun district office. In addition,
there is a water-borne procession on Pak
Phanang River in Pak Phanang, which coincides
with an annual boat race for a trophy
from the Crown Princess.
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