Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival 2024
July 7 - 9 , 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is excited to announce that this year’s Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival will take place from 7-9 July in Dan Sai district, Loei province. This vibrant cultural event draws numerous visitors to witness the colorful processions and unique traditions of the region.
The Phi Ta Khon Festival is renowned for its lively parade featuring locals dancing and striking poses while wearing elaborate masks made from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with wicker sticky-rice steamers. These masks give the wearers a tall and grotesque appearance, adding to the festival’s unique charm.
As one of the most celebrated traditions in Isan, alongside the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival, the Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival includes various traditional rituals and Buddhist ceremonies at Wat Phon Chai, such as the recitation of the thirteen sermons of Phra Vessandorn, which narrates a previous life of the Lord Buddha.
The festival also features a Phi Ta Khon mask dance competition, special markets offering local food and handicrafts, live music performances, and cultural shows.
Festival Schedule:
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Day One: Activities include food offerings to monks, a summoning of spirits ceremony, a cultural ceremony, and stage performances.
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Day Two: The official opening ceremony takes place in front of the Dan Sai District Office, followed by a summoning of spirits, the grand Phi Ta Khon parade, merit-making activities, and the firing of bamboo rockets.
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Day Three: The day is dedicated to 13 consecutive Buddhist sermons at Wat Phon Chai, along with parades from all villages in Dan Sai District.
For more information, please contact the TAT Loei Office at Tel. +66 (0) 4281 2812 or +66 (0) 4281 1405, or via E-mail: tatloei@tat.or.th.
