EXPLORE THAILAND THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
| Phi Ta Khon festival 2006 | ||||||||||
| ผีตาโขน | ||||||||||
| Address: | Dan Sai city | |||||||||
| Known as: | Bun Luang | Ghost Festival | ||||||||
| Description: |
Phi Ta Khon is the most popular festival in Loei province in the
Northeast of Thailand (Issan). It is held in Dan Sai district
and lasts for three days. The date for this event changes each
year, but it is always sometime between March and July. The
exact date is determined by two mediums (mor pii) – Jao Por Guan
and Jao Mae Nang Tiam. This event is part of a larger
celebration known as Bun Luang which also includes Bun Bang Fai
(the rocket festival). The Phi Ta Khon festival includes a mixture of both animist and Buddhist beliefs. It is based on the Jataka tales which are stories of the previous lives of Siddhattha Gotama before he became the Buddha. In his penultimate lifetime before becoming awakened he was a prince known as Vessandara. Phi Ta Khon marks the time when this prince returned to welcoming parade in his home city – prior to this he had been banished for giving away a Royal elephant. The homecoming was so joyous and important that even the spirits of the dead decided to attend. It is this coming together of the dead and living that is commemorated by Phi Ta Khon – the aim is to recreate that colorful day when Prince Vessandara was welcomed back to his home city. |
|||||||||
| Province | Loei | Direction: | ||||||||
| District | Dan Sai | |||||||||
| City | Dan Sai | Comments: | Usually held end of June or early July but change every year based on the moon calander | Official Web: | ||||||
| Genre | Festival | Related links: | http://www.thaitrave | |||||||
| Best exposure | N/A | http://www.tourwitht | ||||||||
| Rating |
 |
|||||||||
| Opening time | 3 days | |||||||||
| Entry fee | Free | Coordinates: | 101.148905 E | 17.274895 N | ||||||
| SUB-SITES PICTURES: | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Phi Ta Khon Masks | Procession with Monks | Traditionnal music |
 |
 |
 |
| Jao Por Guan House ceremony | Opening Procession | Phon Chai Temple ceremony |
 |
 |
 |
|
Phi Ta Khon Dance Wat Phon Chai |
Phi Ta Khon Dance Municipal house |
Procession of Communities |
 |
 |
 |
| Dance at Jao Por Guan House | Ceremony Phra Wate San Don | Procession |
 |
 |
 |
| Phon Chai Temple ceremony |
Phi Ta Khon Dance Wat Phon Chai |
Commercial street-Masks |
 |
 |
|
| Kids traditionnal games | Making Masks | |