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.
Festival of the Tenth
Lunar
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.
Hae Pha Khuen That Festival
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).
