Every year, Dan Sai district in Loei province holds the Bun Luang Festival, which features the Phi Ta Khon, the Ghost Festival.
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Phi Ta Khon 2024
The events take place over three days between March and July, with the dates selected each year by the city's mediums.
The next Phi Ta Khon Festival will take place from Sunday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Festival Description
The Phi Khon Nam mask is unique with its smiling buffalo head and dangling ribbons. Photo: TAT Loei
Bun Luang is a unique festival in this province, a colorful and joyful celebration that attracts many visitors.
For Phi Ta Khon (Thai: ผีตาโขน), the Ghost Festival, locals parade in colorful outfits and huge ghost masks.
The event is believed to have originated as a celebration of fertility (hence the phalluses), an animist cult that became integrated with Buddhist beliefs.
First day, the ghost festival
The first day is the Ghost Festival , also called Wan Ruam (Gathering Day).
The town's residents seek the protection of Phra U-paku t , a protective saint who possesses great magical powers and helps his worshippers when they are in trouble.
They then organize a series of games and participate in a procession wearing masks and hats made from baskets, papier-mâché and coconut leaves as well as patchwork clothing.
They also wear bells and wooden phalluses.
Ghosts of Phi Ta Khon holding a palad khik (penis-shaped amulet). Photos: Stéphane Mégécaze
Second day, launching homemade rockets
On the second day of the festival, homemade rocket launching competitions are held, as well as costume and dance competitions and parades.
Third day, Buddhist sermons
On the third and final day, the villagers go to the temple and listen to the 13 sermons of Phra Vessandorn – which recounts one of Buddha's previous lives – recited by the monks of Wat Phon Chai.
Phi Ta Khon Festival Video
For more information, contact the Loei Province TAT office at tel. +66 (0) 4281 2812; +66 (0) 4281 1405 or by email (tatloei@tat.or.th).
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