Loei celebrates two unique Buddhist festivals

(Photo: Patipat Janthong)

Honouring Lord Buddha, the annual Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival will return to the northeastern town of Dan Sai in Loei from Friday to Sunday. According to the lunar calendar, this well-known ghost mask festival is held annually on different days as Wat Phon Chai and Chao Pho Kuan's House serve as the main venues for the three-day religious rites.

Influenced by a Buddhist folktale, the celebration will transport worshippers back in time to when Prince Vessandorn, one of Buddha's past lives, returned to the palace after his meditation. People came out to greet him at the entrance as spirits had willingly accompanied him from the forest to the city.

The festival was formerly known as Phi Tam Khon (ghosts follow people) and villagers will wear ghost masks made from a bamboo steamer and coconut leaf sheath as well as colourful fabric strip costumes with cowbells at the waist to portray that joyful scene.

Before sunrise on Friday, the Phra Upakhut procession will march from Wat Phon Chai to Mun and Sork Rivers to collect white stones from the riverbed and villagers will then take part in an alms-giving ceremony. In the afternoon, Chao Pho Kuan's House will host a Bai Si (spirit summoning) ceremony, and the Dan Sai District Office's grounds will serve as a stage for a number of intriguing cultural performances.

(Photo: Mongkol Bangprapa)

On Saturday, the Loei governor will preside over the grand opening ceremony and visitors can witness the grand Phi Ta Khon parades as they move from Dan Sai District Office to Wat Phon Chai. During the day, renowned artists from four regions will show their creativity by painting masks as the Phra Wet parade of Chao Pho Kuan and Chao Mae Nang Tiem will attend a merit-making ceremony and the firing of Bamboo rockets.

On Sunday, the festival will come to a conclusion with 13 consecutive Buddhist sermons at Phon-Chai Temple and a parade of consecutive Buddhist sermons from all villages in the Dan Sai district.

To get more details, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand office in Loei at 042-812-812 or visit the TAT Loei page on Facebook.