Phi-Ta-Khon Festival: The genie out of the bottle
Those who do not believe in ghosts, not even in Thailand, should travel to Dan Sai in Loei province in the near future. This is where the Phi-Ta-Khon festival takes place, Thailand's scariest ghost party. This festival has its origins in a Buddhist legend. It is about Prince Vessandorn, who passes as the second last reincarnation of Buddha. This story can be found in the Vessantara Jataka.
One day the prince recklessly left Loei on the back of a white elephant. The subjects feared that with the departure of the white elephants happiness and prosperity would also disappear. So they asked the king to persuade his son to come back. And indeed the prince returned at some point. This return was lavishly celebrated. And so loudly that the spirits of the dead awoke and in their turn greet the prince with joy.
The most important thing about this feast is now a very colorful and noisy celebration. The highlight of this 3-day celebration is the colorful procession of dressed up men wearing the most hideous masks. A Buddha figure is accompanied through the streets. By the ringing of cow bells and the beating of large drums, the spirits of the dead are now also awakened to new life. The funny thing is that the masked men also share their fun with the spectators along the way.
On the second day, a “rocket festival” takes place (adopted from other villages) and on the last day, people gather for the ceremonies of the monks.”
From now on, the ghost festival will be held on the first weekend after the 6e held full moon and the otherwise quiet farming village erupts in revelry. This year it takes place from July 6 to 8, 2559.
Source: TAT Tourist Board – E-mail: [email protected]