 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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