{"id":18928,"date":"2014-10-02T07:12:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-02T07:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/thailand-to-celebrate-the-end-of-the-buddhist-lent-2014-nationwide\/"},"modified":"2014-10-02T07:12:00","modified_gmt":"2014-10-02T07:12:00","slug":"thailand-to-celebrate-the-end-of-the-buddhist-lent-2014-nationwide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/2014\/10\/thailand-to-celebrate-the-end-of-the-buddhist-lent-2014-nationwide\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand to celebrate the end of the Buddhist Lent 2014 nationwide"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rap-Bua-Yon-Bua-Festival-1\"The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting local and international tourists to take part in one of the kingdom\u2019s most spectacular festivals to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent 2014 or\u00a0<\/span>Ok Phansa<\/em>, which usually falls on the full moon day of the 11<\/span>th<\/sup>\u00a0lunar month or 8 October this year.<\/span><\/span>

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This year, the\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>\u00a0festival 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
In the Northern region, the charming province of\u00a0Mae Hong Son<\/strong>\u00a0has scheduled to mark the\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>\u00a0festival 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 \u2018Chong Phara\u2019<\/em>\u00a0procession 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
In the Northeastern region, at least six provinces have announced that their celebrations to mark the\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>\u00a0will 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Nakhon Phanom<\/strong>\u00a0has scheduled its\u00a0Lai Rue Fai<\/em>\u00a0or 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\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>, will take place on the night of 8 October.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Other highlights include a Red Cross fair, cultural performances and rare traditional dances.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
\"Wax-Castle-Procession\"<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Sakon Nakhon<\/strong>\u00a0is set to mark\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>\u00a0with 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
From 8-10 October, the enchanting provinces of\u00a0Nong Khai<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Bueng Kan<\/strong>\u00a0are 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Chiang Khan district,\u00a0Loei<\/strong>\u00a0is 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,\u00a0Chaiyaphum<\/strong>\u00a0invites all visitors to witness the province\u2019s most unique \u2018Ti Klee (fireball croquet)\u2019\u00a0<\/em>competition, local and international sports tournaments, and lantern releasing at night.<\/span><\/div>\n
\"Tak-Bat-Thewo-(1)\"<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
The Central Region of Thailand is also packed with the most unique traditions in celebrating the end of the Buddhist rains retreat.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Samut Prakan<\/strong>\u00a0is well-known for the annual\u00a0Rap Bua<\/em>\u00a0(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\u00a0Luangpho To<\/em>\u00a0Buddha image, enjoy several fun-filled cultural events, try local cuisine and shop for local products.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Synonymous to\u00a0Uthai Thani<\/strong>\u00a0is the annual \u2018Tak Bat Devo\u2019<\/em>\u00a0ceremony 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\u2019s return to Earth after spending three months preaching his mother in heaven.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Nakhon Nayok<\/strong>\u00a0is another province with a unique tradition of celebrating\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>, 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
\"Chak-Phra-Surat-Thani\"<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
In the Southern region, several provinces are famous for their unique\u00a0Chak Phra<\/em>,\u00a0Lark Phra<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0Hae Phra<\/em>\u00a0ceremony, 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Surat Thani<\/strong>\u00a0in the Thai Gulf is set to celebrate\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>\u00a0festival 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,\u00a0Phum Pha Pa<\/em>\u00a0offering ritual, light and sound presentations on the Tapi River, cultural performances, and the exciting long boat races. Read more on:\u00a0Surat Thani Chak Phra Festival and Long Boat Races, an experience of a lifetime<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
Phatthalung<\/strong>\u00a0is also celebrating\u00a0Ok Phansa<\/em>\u00a0with the colourful procession of\u00a0Chak Phra<\/em>\u00a0or the hauling of Buddha image in the river and on land. Other key highlights are\u00a0Tak Bat Devo<\/em>,Pon<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 traditional drum beating contest,\u00a0Rue Phra<\/em>\u00a0celebrating 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.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
The tradition of\u00a0Chak Phra<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0Lark Phra<\/em>\u00a0(the hauling of Buddha image) in the river and on land is also practised in the Andaman province of\u00a0Trang<\/strong>. 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\u00a0Lark Phra<\/em>\u00a0ritual and merit-making to\u00a0RuePhra<\/em>\u00a0(boats carrying Buddha images). Other highlights include local cultural performances and traditional sport competitions.<\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting local and international tourists to take part in one of the kingdom\u2019s most spectacular festivals to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent 2014 or\u00a0Ok Phansa, which usually falls on the full moon day of the 11th\u00a0lunar month or 8 October this year. This year, the\u00a0Ok Phansa\u00a0festival […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[206],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thailand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18928\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}