 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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