Phichit Long Boat Race

Held annually in September on the Nan River in Phichit province, the Royal Cup Long Boat Race provides spectators with plenty of thrills as up to 50 teams, featuring the country’s most talented oarsmen, compete for the prestigious Royal Cup. 

Traditionally crafted from a single log, a long boat has plank seats to hold up to 30 paddlers who may be male and/or female. Village teams can spend months honing their techniques for the big day when they race down the course, cheered by thousands of spectators lining the banks.

The winning boat earns glory for the village that built and propelled it. The boats and races trace a lineage virtually unchanged since the foundation of the Thai kingdom in the 13th century, and are the ultimate reflection of an ages-old love affair between the Thais and their rivers.

The races are divided into four categories: races with 41-55 paddlers; races with 31-40 paddlers; races with fewer than thirty paddlers; and kor song category races.

Preceding the races, decorative boat processions take place on the river in front of Tha Luang Pier. The event is celebrated with various kinds of cultural shows, music performances as well as an OTOP (One tambon, one product) Fair, featuring local products, including pomelo, guava, tamarind, and other organically-grown fruits and vegetables.

For further information call the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Northern Office (Region 4) in Tak on Tel: +66 (0)55 514 341-3.

Chon Buri Buffalo Races

October 6, City Hall, Chon Buri province

Around the time of the full moon during the 11th lunar month, which usually falls on the first weekend in October, farmers from all over Chon Buri province take their buffalos to the city for a festival that dates back centuries.

The water buffalo has always played an important role in agriculture in Thailand. In this annual event, the creatures are seen in more unusual and entertaining ways than simply plowing fields. Not only do the buffalos take part in races, they also participate in contests pitting beast against man. Farmhands throw buckets of water over the animals to help them keep cool.

Before the races, many of the buffalos are fed beer and eggs in a bid to improve their performances. It is said that many of the riders consume at least one of these ingredients to bolster their courage before bareback riding during a race. During the races, crowds tend to whoop and yelp, occasionally diving for cover, until four finalists eventually battle it out to become champ.

Beauty pageants, such as “Miss Farm Maiden”, and various other fun-filled activities are also part of the attractions presented in the program.

For further information, phone the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Central Region Office (Region 3) on Tel: +66 (0)38 427 667.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Held annually in October, Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts not only Chinese-Thais, but people from all faiths and nationalities that come to celebrate, enjoy delicious vegetarian fare, make merit and watch the unbelievable feats of the Ma Song.

The festival was originally formed by a wandering Chinese opera troupe in the town of Ta Reua in the Kathu district of Phuket in the early 19th Century. Having become severely ill, the troupe observed a strict vegetarian diet in honor of the gods Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh in order to cure themselves. The townspeople soon witnessed a miraculous feat as the troupe made a full recovery, who owed their victory over the sickness to a strict vegetarian diet. Shortly afterwards the townspeople started a vegetarian festival in order to bring good luck to the community as well as individuals.

The festival now features amazing feats performed by Ma Song spiritual devotees, such as climbing ladders with bladed rungs, walking over hot coals, and sticking all sorts of skewers and knives through body parts. Ma Song devotees are believed to possess supernatural powers when they enter a state of trance as the gods take over their bodies during the ritual. The sacred rituals and aesthetic displays are performed to shift evil from others onto themselves and in doing so, good luck is bestowed on the community.

During the festival various fireworks and drum performances are held in addition to colorful parades. Shrines and temples are also visited in order to make merit and bring good luck, which is also thought to be brought to those who eat vegetarian during the festival period. Varying on the person’s determination, local participants who are not Ma Song have the choice of going vegetarian for three, five, or ten days.

For further information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Southern Office (Region 4) in Phuket on Tel: +66 (0)76 211 036.

Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession (“Fire Boats”)

Usually taking place in early October to coincide with the Buddhist Rains Retreat, known in Thai as Ok Phansa, the illuminated boat procession takes place as night falls.

“Fire boats”, elaborately-adorned with flowers, incense sticks, candles and lanterns, and each carrying an assortment of ritual offerings, are set ablaze and floated down the Mekong River in a mesmerizing feast for the eyes.

The boats tend to vary in shape and form and reflect cultural identity, artistic and cultural splendor, indigenous culture and beliefs, folk knowledge and skills. The designs are inspired by Buddhist motifs, the Royal Barges, mythical  characters in Isan, as well as Brahmin legend and folklore.

This enchanting spectacle has a very literal name in Thai – Lai Reua Fai – which means to set afloat a “fire boat”.  The procession reflects Buddhist origins as well as animistic beliefs and the worship of the forces of nature. The event is usually accompanied by a colorful street procession and cultural performances.

This year’s festivities will take place during the week of October 21-27, the procession itself taking place on Saturday October 26. For further information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Northeastern Office (Region 4) on Tel: +66 (0)42 513 490-1.

Bun Bung Fai Rocket Festival

Born of the traditional beliefs of the Isan people, the Bun Bung Fai Rocket Festival in Yasothon province, which takes place during the second week of May, is a merit-making ritual to ensure seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time during the planting cycle.

The festival, which is held over a period of three days, has been strictly observed by the residents of Isan for generations and is thought to help strengthen community spirit. On the first day, known as Wan Sook Dib, teams transport their rockets in a procession and pay homage to Chao Pu, the spirit of the city pillar. Each group features a colorful dance troupe.

Beautifully-decorated rockets are mounted on vehicles or traditional carts and drawn in a parade on the second day of the festival.  The rockets come in different sizes – Bung Fai Meun containing 12 kilograms of nitrate while a Bung Fai Saen has 120 kg. It is important that the “technicians” get the correct mix of nitrate and charcoal to ensure the rocket does not explode prematurely. The rocket cylinders are generally made from bamboo. On this day, novices are ordained and festive celebrations take place following merit-making rituals.

On the third day, the rockets are finally launched, and various competitions take place and predictions are made with regard to the fortune of the upcoming harvest. The festival is spectacular and provides a superb opportunity to experience “Isan-style” festive fun.

For further information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Northeastern Office (Region 2) in Ubon Ratchathani on Tel: +66 (0)45 243 770.