NAGA FIREBALLS OF NONG KHAI

Date 26 Oct 2007 - 27 Oct 2007

Location Mekong River

Detail
As the full moon crests the horizon, ruby orbs of light begin to rise out of the Mekong River. As if by magic, they float silently into the air and then evaporate in the inky blackness, a phenomenon that awes and delights observers privileged to have seen them.

For centuries, their existence was a closely-held secret among villagers living near the northeastern town of Nong Khai. Then, the miraculous event was discovered by outsiders who now flock to the riverbanks each October full moon night in enormous numbers — 400,000, at last count.

Contact
TAT Northeastern Office – Region 5 Areas of responsibility: Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai and Loei Tel: +66 (0) 4232 5406 - 7 Fax: +66 (0) 4232 5408 E-mail: tatudon@tat.or.th

Thank : www.tat.or.th

ILLUMINATED BOAT PROCESSION

Date 21 Oct 2007 - 27 Oct 2007

Location The Mekong River, Nakhon Phanom

Detail
As night falls, majestic ‘fire boats’, elaborately-adorned with flowers, incense sticks, candles and lanterns and each bearing an assortment of ritual offerings, are set alight and floated down the Mekong River.

Against the darkness of the moonlit night, the sight of flickering light from candles and lanterns on magnificent ‘fire boats’ drifting downstream on the Mekong River, is both mesmerising and awe-inspiring. It is this enchanting spectacle that has given the water-borne procession its very name — ‘Lai Reua Fai', which literally means to set afloat a ‘fire boat’.

The illuminated boat procession is celebrated in I-San, the northeastern region of Thailand on the 15th day of the waxing moon to the first day of the waning moon in the 11th lunar month of the Buddhist calendar, usually a month earlier than the corresponding month in the conventional calendar. This dazzling event marks the end of the Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok pansa’ and is accompanied by a colourful street procession and cultural performances which add to the highlights of the event which is held annually.

Illuminated boats vary in shape and form and reflect cultural identity, artistic and cultural splendour, indigenous culture and beliefs, folk knowledge and skills. Designs inspired by Buddhist motifs, The Royal Barges, mythical characters in I-san and Brahmin legend and folklore are depicted. Naga – the Serpent King, Hong – the swan, the sacred steeds of the Brahmin gods – Hamsa, the sacred goose and mount of Brahma, Garuda – the mount of Phra Narai (Vishnu), Erawan – the mount of Indra and Ganesh – the elephant-headed son of Shiva are commonly featured.




Origins of the Illuminated Boat Procession

The Illuminated Boat Procession reflects Buddhist origins as well as animistic beliefs and the worship of the forces of nature.

According to some scholars, the ritual is based on ancient Buddhist tales and is undertaken to pay respect to the sacred footprint of the Lord Buddha on the bank of the mythical Nammadhammahantee river and in honour of the Buddhist trinity – Phra Buddha, Lord Buddha; Phra Dhamma – his teachings and Phra Sangkha – disciples of the Lord Buddha.

In his seventh lent, in remembrance of his mother, Buddha ascended to the heavens to deliver a sermon to his mother. There he resided throughout the entire period of the three-months Rains Retreat or the Buddhist Lent. At the end of the Rains Retreat which falls on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha returned to earth, descending by the Celestial Stairway comprising of the Silver, Gold and Crystal stairs.

Delighted by the news of Buddha's return to earth once again, Buddha's disciples and followers prepared to receive him with offerings of food and other sacred items being presented. ‘Tak Bat Devo’, the Buddhist merit-making ritual performed on the final day of the festival signals the end of the Buddhist Lent, originates from the word "Devorohana" and refers to Buddhist celebrations marking the special occasion of the return of the Lord Buddha to earth, as mentioned in ancient Buddhist tales.

In traditional river-based communities which rely on the river as a source of food, harvesting fish and other marine life from the river and planting crops on the banks of the river in the dry season when the water level recedes, water is the essence of life. In riparian cultures, ritual offerings are made to Mae Khongkha - Mother of Waters in an act of appeasement to beg for her forgiveness for Man's carelessness in polluting pristine waters - the source of all life; The Naga – the mythical Serpent God associated with water that dwells in three realms: beneath the earth where it guards minerals and gems, in bodies of still and flowing water, and in the skies where it creates the rain which nourishes crops; and other celestial powers responsible for the gift of life revered by the I-San people. By setting the ‘fireboats’ adrift, one also symbolically casts away one's grief, misery and ill-fortunes.

Traditionally, a ‘fireboat’ was hewn out of a 10-12 metre banana tree trunk or and other buoyant material readily found in the vicinity. The various forms and structure it takes is made by shaping spliced bamboo slithers and other inflammable components. Contemporary versions are either made from actual boats or petrol drums adorned with flowers, incense sticks, candles, light bulbs, fireworks and pyrotechnics. Once the ritual offerings have been made, the boats are salvaged and recycled for the next festival.




Contact
TAT Northeastern Office - Region 4 Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3490-1 Fax: +66 (0) 4251 3492 E-mail address: tatphnom@tat.or.th

Thank : www.tat.or.th

THE SAKHON NAKHON WAX CASTLE PROCESSION & ROYAL TROPHY LONG-BOAT RACES

Date 20 Oct 2007 - 26 Oct 2007

Location At Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Temple, Sakon Nakhon
Detail


To mark the end of Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok Pansa’, communities in Northeastern Thailand or ‘I-San’ stage an annual celebration consisting of a grand procession of meticulously-carved wax castles, long-boat races and festive celebrations. On the final day of the festival, which falls on the end of the Buddhist Lent, local residents make a trip to the temples to make merit.



This ancient folk tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Over the centuries, the tradition has evolved. Originally, ornate wax trees carved out of poles of beeswax were presented to temples along with other merit-making ritual offerings. Contemporary offerings consist of elaborate designs and sophisticated shapes and forms. Beeswax is molded into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines or wax castles.

The significance of the merit-making ritual is based on the Buddhist concept of reincarnation - the belief that upon death, an individual passes on to another life. According to Buddhist teachings, it is believed that a person's destiny is determined by meritorious acts or good deeds performed in the present life. If individuals conscientiously observe and practice Buddhist principles by performing good deeds and by engaging in acts of Buddhist devotion, individuals earn and accumulate merit during their lifetime. Depending on the merit they have earned, in subsequent lives, individuals progress to the point where they attain spiritual enlightenment and reside in the upper tiers of heaven, or are re-born into a life that is worse than the last.

The practice also constitutes a form of ancestor worship. The wax castle itself is symbolises the ideal spiritual residence devout Buddhists aspire to in their future life.




Based on this belief, making merit by presenting offerings to monks evolved as a Buddhist ritual known as "tak baht". The "baht" being the bowl in which the alms and offerings presented to the monks are placed.

It is also believed that one earns more merit by taking part in communal merit-making. There is strength in numbers, especially when individuals blessed with merit come together and collectively join in the pursuit of good deeds. The annual wax castle procession is a special time for family reunions with relatives reunited in merit-making activities, sharing in goodwill as well as good times. Community resources are pooled and monks and community members join hands to craft these ornate wax castles as merit-making offerings and to stage a grand ceremony and festive celebrations – a notable expression of Buddhist devotion and one which strengthens the bond between the village temple and the community it serves.

These crafted models can be seen especially in Sakon Nakhon where an annual festival is held with a grand wax castle procession, competitive long-boat races as well as traditional northeastern cultural performances among many other festivities.

The Significance of ‘Ok Pansa’, the End of the Buddhist Lent
During his final incarnation and his seventh lent, in remembrance of his mother, Lord Buddha ascended to the heavens to deliver a sermon to his mother. There he resided throughout the entire period of the three-months Rains Retreat or the Buddhist Lent.





At the end of the Rains Retreat which falls on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha returned to earth after teaching his mother in Thavatimsa heaven, descending by the Celestial Stairway comprising of the Silver, Gold and Crystal stairs.

Delighted by the news of Buddha's return to earth once again, Buddha's disciples and followers prepared to receive him with offerings of food and other sacred items being presented. ‘Tak Baht Devo’, the Buddhist merit-making ritual performed on the final day of the festival signals the end of the Buddhist Lent, originates from the word "Devorohana" and refers to Buddhist celebrations marking the special occasion of the return of the Lord Buddha to earth, as mentioned in ancient Buddhist tales.

Contact
TAT Northeastern Office - Region 4 Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3490-1 Fax: +66 (0) 4251 3492 E-mail address: tatphnom@tat.or.th


Thank : www.tat.or.th

The 4th Siam Flora Festival

Date 24 Oct 2007 - 2 Nov 2007

Location At 10.00-21.00 hrs., the MCC Hall, the Mall Bangkae, Bangkok Admission fee is 30 baht, some of the income will donate to the Princess Pa Foundation, Thai Red Cross Society.

Detail
Enjoy the beautiful flora, to honour H.M. the Queen, featuring
the plant that received H.M. the Queen’s name, the tropical plants,
the 60 species which have been newly found as well as the high-price plant such as Bonsai, Impala Lily, and Croton etc. The National Flora Contest is organized, winning the Royal Trophy of HRH Princess Soamsavali Kitiyakara, the categories are:

1. A single orchid plus a garden decoration.
2. The 6 categories of Bonsai.
3. The 22 categories of Aglaonema.
4. The 10 categories of Frangipani.
5. The 8 categories of Impala Lily.
6. The 9 categories of Caladium.
7. The 7 categories of Croton.

Contact
Khun Marisa Saenkulsirisak The Mall Group Co., Ltd. Tel. 0 2310 1549 Fax. 0 2310 1562

Thank : www.tat.or.th

PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL

Location PHUKET

Detail
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song


thank : www.tat.or.th


Date 11 Oct 2007 - 19 Oct 2007